What is Protected-Browsing?
According to IT security researchers, Protected-Browsing is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) from the family of Browser hijackers. Typically, browser hijackers make changes to the default homepage and search engine of user web-browsers, making it difficult to change them back. Browser hijackers can also include unwanted pop ups and advertisements to show up in the hijacked internet browsers. Browser hijackers are usually installed with freeware or shareware downloaded from third-party websites; they can also be found inside legitimate webpages and software.
Most often, hijackers promote fake search providers by setting their address as the default search engine. In this case, the browser hijacker installs protected-browsing.xyz as a search provider. This means that users whose internet browser is infected with the hijacker are forced to visit protected-browsing.xyz each time they search in the Internet, open a new window or tab. And since protected-browsing.xyz is not a real search provider and does not have the ability to find the information users need, this website redirects the user’s web browser to the Bing search engine.
And finally, the Protected-Browsing browser hijacker has the ability to collect a wide variety of privacy information like what web-pages you’re opening, what you are looking for the Web and so on. This information, in the future, can be sold to third party companies.
As evident, PUPs does not really have beneficial features. So, we recommend you remove Protected-Browsing from Mozilla Firefox, IE, Google Chrome and MS Edge sooner. This will also prevent the browser hijacker from tracking your online activities. A full Protected-Browsing removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic solution listed below.
How can a browser hijacker get on your PC system
The majority of PUPs and browser hijackers such as Protected-Browsing get onto computers by being attached to free software or even paid applications which Internet users can easily download online. The setup packages of such apps, most often, clearly indicate that they will install bundled programs. The option is given to users to block the installation of any third-party programs. So, in order to avoid the installation of any browser hijackers: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, choose only Custom or Advanced install method and reject all optional apps in which you are unsure.
Threat Summary
| Name | Protected-Browsing |
| Type | search provider hijacker, PUP, redirect virus, startpage hijacker, browser hijacker |
| Associated web-domains | protected-browsing.xyz |
| Affected Browser Settings | search provider, newtab URL, start page |
| Distribution | fake software updaters, misleading pop-up ads, free programs installers |
| Symptoms | Pop-ups and new tabs are loaded without your request. Web site links redirect to webpages different from what you expected. Your computer starts automatically installing unwanted programs. New web browser toolbars suddenly added on your internet browser. Unexpected changes in your web-browser such as using a new default search provider. |
| Removal | Protected-Browsing removal guide |
How to remove Protected-Browsing hijacker
We can assist you delete Protected-Browsing, without the need to take your computer to a professional. Simply follow the removal tutorial below if you currently have the intrusive hijacker on your computer and want to remove it. If you have any difficulty while trying to remove the browser hijacker, feel free to ask for our assist in the comment section below. Certain of the steps below will require you to exit this webpage. So, please read the step-by-step tutorial carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove Protected-Browsing, complete the following steps:
- How to manually delete Protected-Browsing
- Automatic Removal of Protected-Browsing
- How to stop Protected-Browsing redirect
How to manually delete Protected-Browsing
Read this section to know how to manually remove the Protected-Browsing browser hijacker. Even if the few simple steps does not work for you, there are several free malware removers below which can easily handle such browser hijackers.
Delete Protected-Browsing related programs through the Control Panel of your PC
Check out the Windows Control Panel (Programs and Features section) to see all installed apps. We recommend to click on the “Date Installed” in order to sort the list of apps by the date you installed them. If you see any unknown and questionable applications, they are the ones you need to uninstall.
Press Windows button 
, then click Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will show the Windows Control Panel as on the image below.
Further, click “Uninstall a program” 
It will open a list of all applications installed on your PC. Scroll through the all list, and remove any suspicious and unknown applications.
Remove Protected-Browsing browser hijacker from Internet Explorer
By resetting Internet Explorer browser you restore your browser settings to its default state. This is basic when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by hijacker like Protected-Browsing.
First, launch the Microsoft Internet Explorer, click 
) button. Next, press “Internet Options” as shown on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The Internet Explorer will display the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect. It will remove the hijacker, disable malicious and ad-supported browser’s extensions and restore the Internet Explorer’s settings such as newtab page, homepage and search provider by default to default state.
Get rid of Protected-Browsing from Firefox by resetting web browser settings
Resetting Mozilla Firefox internet browser will reset all the settings to their original settings and will remove Protected-Browsing, disable malicious add-ons and extensions. When using the reset feature, your personal information like passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
First, run the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as on the image below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the browser hijacker. Once, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Remove Protected-Browsing from Chrome
In this step we are going to show you how to reset Google Chrome settings. PUPs such as Protected-Browsing can make changes to your web-browser settings including search engine by default, newtab page and homepage, add toolbars and undesired extensions. By resetting Google Chrome settings you will remove Protected-Browsing redirects and reset unwanted changes caused by the hijacker. When using the reset feature, your personal information like passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
- First, start the Google Chrome and press the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Google Chrome will show the reset settings dialog box as shown on the image above.
- Confirm the browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of Protected-Browsing
It is not enough to get rid of Protected-Browsing from your internet browser by completing the manual steps above to solve all problems. Some browser hijacker related files may remain on your computer and they will recover the browser hijacker even after you get rid of it. For that reason we suggest to run free anti-malware utility like Zemana AntiMalware, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and HitmanPro. Either of those programs should can search for and delete browser hijackers.
Get rid of Protected-Browsing browser hijacker with Zemana Anti-Malware
Zemana is extremely fast and ultra light weight malware removal tool. It will assist you remove Protected-Browsing hijacker, adware, PUPs and other malware. This program gives real-time protection that never slow down your PC. Zemana is created for experienced and beginner computer users. The interface of this utility is very easy to use, simple and minimalist.
- First, visit the page linked below, then press the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of Zemana AntiMalware.
Zemana AntiMalware
164030 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your internet browser will open the “Save as” dialog box. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- When the downloading process is done, please close all programs and open windows on your computer. Next, start a file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- This will start the “Setup wizard” of Zemana AntiMalware onto your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Zemana AntiMalware will run and open the main window.
- Further, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the Protected-Browsing browser hijacker. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your personal computer. While the Zemana Anti-Malware is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
- When Zemana AntiMalware is finished scanning your PC system, Zemana AntiMalware will show a scan report.
- Once you have selected what you want to remove from your computer click the “Next” button. The utility will remove Protected-Browsing hijacker. Once the task is finished, you may be prompted to restart the PC system.
- Close the Zemana and continue with the next step.
Get rid of Protected-Browsing hijacker and malicious extensions with HitmanPro
Hitman Pro is a completely free (30 day trial) utility. You don’t need expensive ways to delete Protected-Browsing hijacker and other shady apps. Hitman Pro will uninstall all the unwanted apps such as adware and browser hijackers at zero cost.
- Download HitmanPro on your PC by clicking on the link below.
- After the download is finished, launch the HitmanPro, double-click the HitmanPro.exe file.
- If the “User Account Control” prompts, press Yes to continue.
- In the Hitman Pro window, click the “Next” to start scanning your computer for the Protected-Browsing hijacker. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the HitmanPro program is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
- When the system scan is done, HitmanPro will show a screen that contains a list of malware that has been found. Next, you need to press “Next”. Now, click the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
Get rid of Protected-Browsing hijacker with MalwareBytes
We suggest using the MalwareBytes which are completely clean your device of the hijacker. The free utility is an advanced malware removal application developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It’s able to help you remove browser hijacker, PUPs, malicious software, adware software, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your computer for free.
- Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Microsoft Windows. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326382 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your web browser will show the “Save as” prompt. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- When the download is finished, please close all applications and open windows on your PC. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBSetup.
- This will launch the Setup wizard of MalwareBytes onto your personal computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the MalwareBytes AntiMalware will launch and open the main window.
- Further, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the Protected-Browsing browser hijacker. While the MalwareBytes is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified either as being malware.
- After finished, the results are displayed in the scan report.
- When you’re ready, click the “Quarantine” button. After that process is finished, you may be prompted to restart the computer.
- Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.
Video instruction, which reveals in detail the steps above.
How to stop Protected-Browsing redirect
It is important to use adblocker apps like AdGuard to protect your personal computer from malicious websites. Most security experts says that it’s okay to stop ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can block Protected-Browsing and other unwanted web sites.
- AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link. Save it to your Desktop.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After downloading it, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the install is finished, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist 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 run your personal computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block Protected-Browsing, as well as other malicious or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, that is located on your desktop.
To sum up
We suggest that you keep Zemana Anti-Malware (to periodically scan your device for new hijackers and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block intrusive pop-up ads and harmful web pages). Moreover, to prevent any hijacker, please stay clear of unknown and third party software, make sure that your antivirus application, turn on the option to detect PUPs.
If you need more help with Protected-Browsing related issues, go to here.
