Why you should remove PUP.Shielddefense?
According to the cyber security analysts, PUP.Shielddefense is a potentially unwanted program that can alter the browser's default homepage right after installed Shield Defense extension without asking for your permission. Its associated browser extension is developed by a company named GreenSearchSecurity. However, the extension is a highly suspicious program, and every time when the computer users attempt to browse the web, it immediately redirects them to search result page of MyStart Shield Yahoo. Clearly, this rerouted domain is filled with various advertisements and completely not relevant to your search results. On top of that, PUP.Shielddefense will never asks for every suspicious permission on your machine.
Usually, PUP.Shielddefense demands access to read and alter all the data on user's visited web portals. It communicates with the cooperating domains and native programs which finally modify the search settings of the Internet browser without user's knowledge. In case, if the targeted system users agrees to provide such permissions, then the threat starts interfering with their online browsing instantly. Search results provided by the search tool associated with this dubious browser extension are likely to be filled with numerous paid links leading them external and highly questionable websites. Based on the research report, the web portals associated with PUP.Shielddefense can be hiding few malicious content that might pose a security threat to your machine. Therefore, keep away from its displayed ads, associated domains and remove it from your PC as quickly as possible.
Distribution Sources of PUP.Shielddefense
Installation of adware or potentially undesired applications often happens without user's consent, because they usually travel in freeware programs. Security investigators report that almost every freeware app contains at least one suspicious tool like PUP.Shielddefense, so you have to be very careful while downloading and installing free applications onto your computer. Most importantly, you need to follow the below-mentioned tips in order to avoid installing adware programs at while installed any freeware apps.
- Choose Advanced or Custom settings to uncheck any additional or recommended components.
- Download softwares from well-known and reputable web portals or from manufacturer's website directly.
- Read Privacy Policy and EULA document carefully at the time of program installation.
- Never rely on Default or Standard settings, no matter that they look real or reliable.
- Make sure you adjust the installation steps well in order to refuse potentially unwanted program like PUP.Shielddefense.
Click to Free Scan for PUP.Shielddefense on PC
Learn To Remove PUP.Shielddefense Using Manual Methods
Phase 1 : Show Hidden Files To Delete PUP.Shielddefense Related Files And Folders
1. For Windows 8 or 10 Users : From the Ribbon’s View in My PC click on Options icon.
2. For Windows 7 or Vista Users : Open My Computer and tap on Organize button on the upper left corner and then to Folder and Search Options from the drop down menu.
3. Now go to the View tab and enable Show hidden files and folder options and then uncheck the Hide protected system operating files checkbox option below.
4. Finally look for any suspicious files in the hidden folders as given below and delete it.
- %AppData%\[adware_name]
- %Temp%\[adware_name]
- %LocalAppData%\[adware_name].exe
- %AllUsersProfile%random.exe
- %CommonAppData%\[adware_name]
Phase 2 : Get Rid of PUP.Shielddefense Related Extensions Related From Different Web Browsers
From Chrome :
1. Click on Menu icon, hover through More Tools then tap on Extensions.
2. Now click on Trash icon on the extensions tab there next to suspicious extensions to remove it.
From Internet Explorer :
1. Click on Manage add-ons option from the drop down menu on going through Gear icon.
2. Now if you find any suspicious extension in the Toolbars and Extensions panel then right click on it and Delete option to remove it.
From Mozilla Firefox :
1. Tap on Add-ons on going through Menu icon.
2. In the Extensions tab click on Disable or Remove button next to PUP.Shielddefense related extensions to remove them.
From Opera :
1. Press Opera menu, hover to Extensions and then select Extensions manager there.
2. Now if any browser extension looks suspicious to you then click on (X) button to remove it.
From Safari :
1. Click Preferences… on going through Settings Gear icon.
2. Now on Extensions tab click on Uninstall button to remove it.
From Microsoft Edge :
Note:–As there is no option for Extension Manager in Microsoft Edge so in order to sort out issues related with adware programs in MS Edge you can change its default homepage and search engine.
Change Default Homepage of Ms Edge –
1. Click on More(…) followed by Settings and then to Start page under Open With section.
2. Now select View advanced settings button and then in Search in the address bar with section, you can select Google or any other homepage as your preference.
Change Default Search Engine Settings of Ms Edge –
1. Select More(…) then Settings followed by View advanced settings button.
2. Under Search in the address bar with box click on <Add new>. Now you can choose from the available list of search providers or add you preferred search engine and click Add as default.
Phase 3 : Block Unwanted Pop-ups from PUP.Shielddefense On Different Web Browsers
1. Google Chrome : Click Menu icon → Settings → Show advanced settings… → Content Settings… under Privacy section → enable Do not allow any site to show pop-ups (recommended) option → Done.
2. Mozilla Firefox : Tap on Menu icon → Options → Content panel → check Block pop-up windows in Pop-ups section.
3. Internet Explorer : Click Gear Settings icon → Internet Options → in Privacy tab enable Turn on Pop-up Blocker under Pop-up Blocker Section.
4. Microsoft Edge : Press More(…) option → Settings → View advanced settings → toggle on Block pop-ups.
Still having troubles in removing PUP.Shielddefense from your compromised PC ? Then you don’t need to worry. You can feel free to ask questions to us about malware related issues.