What is AdBlock Protect
AdBlock Protect is supposed to be a browser extension that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security researchers, it is an adware. Adware is a part of malicious programs. It can make big problem to your personal computer. The AdBlock Protect adware is created to display lots of ads in form of pop-up windows, discount offers, banners or even fake alerts on the web browser. Adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your privacy information? Adware software can be used to collect your privacy information to get profit. AdBlock Protect can analyze your browsing, and gain access to your personal info and, subsequently, can transfer it to third parties. Thus, there are more than enough reasons to get rid of adware software from your computer.
So, if you happen to encounter the adware, then be quick and take effort to get rid of it sooner. Follow the steps below to delete AdBlock Protect adware. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
How does AdBlock Protect get on your computer
The majority of adware software come bundled with freeware or even paid apps which World Wide Web users can easily download online. The setup files of such apps, in many cases, clearly indicate that they will install optional apps. The option is given to users to stop the install of any third-party programs. So, in order to avoid the install of any adware: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, choose only Custom or Advanced installation type and disable all additional programs in which you are unsure.
Threat Summary
| Name | AdBlock Protect |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popup virus, pop-up ads, pop ups |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | AdBlock Protect removal guide |
How to remove AdBlock Protect adware from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
When the adware gets installed on your computer without your knowledge, it is not easy to uninstall. In many cases, there is no Uninstall program which simply delete the AdBlock Protect adware from your computer. So, we recommend using several well-proven free specialized tools like Zemana Anti-Malware, MalwareBytes Free or HitmanPro. But the best method to delete AdBlock Protect adware will be to perform several manual steps, after that additionally use antimalware utilities.
To remove AdBlock Protect, execute the steps below:
- How to manually remove AdBlock Protect
- Automatic Removal of AdBlock Protect adware
- How to stay safe online
How to manually remove AdBlock Protect
Looking for a solution to remove AdBlock Protect manually without installing any tools? Then this section of the post is just for you. Below are some simple steps you can take. Performing these steps requires basic knowledge of web-browser and MS Windows setup. If you are not sure that you can follow them, it is better to use free software listed below that can allow you remove AdBlock Protect adware.
Delete dubious programs using Microsoft Windows Control Panel
First, go to Microsoft Windows Control Panel and delete dubious applications, all programs you do not remember installing. It’s important to pay the most attention to apps you installed just before AdBlock Protect appeared on your computer. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the World Wide Web.
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Get rid of AdBlock Protect adware from IE
If you find that Internet Explorer web-browser settings such as search provider, newtab page and home page had been changed by AdBlock Protect adware, then you may restore your settings, via the reset browser procedure.
First, launch the Internet Explorer, then press ‘gear’ icon 
. It will display the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web browser, then click the “Internet Options” as shown on the screen below.
In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as on the image below.
After the process is finished, click “Close” button. Close the IE and reboot your device for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your browser’s default search engine, startpage and newtab page to default state.
Remove AdBlock Protect adware software from Firefox
This step will allow you get rid of AdBlock Protect adware, third-party toolbars, disable harmful addons and revert back your default start page, newtab page and search engine settings.
First, start the Firefox and press 
button. It will display the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web-browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as shown below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the AdBlock Protect adware. After, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Remove AdBlock Protect adware from Google Chrome
If you’re getting unwanted ads, then you can try to remove it by resetting Chrome to its original state. It will also clear cookies, content and site data, temporary and cached data. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be lost. This will not affect your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other saved data.
First run the Google Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will show the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed addons. If the list has the extension signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option called “Settings”.
The web browser will open the settings screen. Another way to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as on the image below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The web-browser will start the task of cleaning. When it’s complete, the internet browser’s settings including home page, search engine by default and newtab page back to the values which have been when the Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Automatic Removal of AdBlock Protect adware
Manual removal instructions does not always help to completely delete the adware, as it is not easy to identify and get rid of components of adware software and all malicious files from hard disk. Therefore, it is recommended that you use malware removal tool to fully remove AdBlock Protect off your web-browser. Several free malicious software removal utilities are currently available that can be used against the adware. The optimum method would be to use Zemana Anti-Malware, MalwareBytes Anti Malware and Hitman Pro.
How to remove AdBlock Protect adware software with Zemana Free
Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) is a malicious software removal utility developed for Windows. This tool will allow you delete AdBlock Protect , various types of malware (including browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs) from your PC. It has simple and user friendly interface. While the Zemana does its job, your computer will run smoothly.
Download Zemana from the following link.
164028 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
When downloading is complete, close all software and windows on your PC. Double-click the install file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as displayed on the image below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Zemana Free on your PC. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
Once setup is done successfully, Zemana Free will automatically start and you can see its main screen as on the image below.
Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the AdBlock Protect adware. This task can take some time, so please be patient. While the Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) tool is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.
After finished, you’ll be shown the list of all found threats on your computer. Once you’ve selected what you want to remove from your device click “Next” button. The Zemana Anti Malware will remove AdBlock Protect adware and move the selected threats to the Quarantine. After the process is done, you may be prompted to reboot the computer.
Use HitmanPro to get rid of AdBlock Protect adware software
HitmanPro is a portable tool that scans for and uninstalls undesired apps like hijackers, adware, toolbars, other web-browser extensions and other malware. It scans your personal computer for AdBlock Protect and creates a list of threats marked for removal. HitmanPro will only erase those undesired apps that you wish to be removed.
Download HitmanPro by clicking on the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
Once downloading is complete, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the Hitman Pro desktop icon. After the utility is started, you will see a screen as displayed on the image below.
Further, press “Next” button to perform a system scan for the AdBlock Protect adware. As the scanning ends, Hitman Pro will show a list of detected items like below.
Review the report and then press “Next” button. It will show a dialog box, press the “Activate free license” button.
How to remove AdBlock Protect with MalwareBytes AntiMalware
We advise using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). You can download and install MalwareBytes Free to locate adware and thereby remove AdBlock Protect adware from your browsers. When installed and updated, this free malware remover automatically identifies and removes all threats exist on the PC system.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
326379 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
Once the downloading process is complete, close all programs and windows on your PC system. Double-click the setup file called MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as on the image below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the Setup wizard which will help you install MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) on your personal computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is done successfully, click “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen like the one below.
Now click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Anti-Malware application will scan through the whole computer for the AdBlock Protect adware. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted applications are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
After the scanning is finished, the results are displayed in the scan report. All detected threats will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes will get rid of AdBlock Protect adware and move the selected items to the Quarantine. Once the task is complete, you may be prompted to reboot the PC system.
We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) to delete adware, browser hijacker and other malware.
How to stay safe online
By installing an adblocker program such as AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious websites, stop autoplaying video ads and delete lots of distracting and intrusive ads on web-sites.
- Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard on your Windows Desktop by clicking on the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once downloading is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block AdBlock Protect, as well as other malicious or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, which is located on your desktop.
To sum up
Now your PC should be clean of the AdBlock Protect adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up advertisements and unwanted malicious websites) and Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your PC system for new malware, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for MS Windows operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, malicious apps and adware software are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of unwanted ads from your internet browser, then ask for help here.
