PUP.Optional.WindowsProtectManager

Short bio

This detection is for a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that is promoted as a web browser extension.

Once installed, it hijacks a browser’s home page, redirects web traffic to unwanted sites, and displays excessive amounts of pop-up ads.

Protection

Malwarebytes protects users from PUP.Optional.WindowsProtectManager by using real-time protection.

Malwarebytes blocks PUP.Optional.WindowsProtectManager

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.WindowsProtectManager without further user interaction.

1. Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
2. Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
3. Then click Finish.
4. Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
5. If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
6. When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
7. Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Add an exclusion

Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.

The Exclusions tab includes a list of items to be excluded from scans. The items may include files, folders, websites, or applications that connect to the Internet, as well as previously detected exploits.

To access the exclusions in Malwarebytes:

• Click on the Settings tab in the left pane.
• Click on the Exclusions tab.
• Click the Add Exclusion button.
• Select the exclusion type Exclude a File or Folder and use the Browse button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
• Repeat this for any secondary folder(s) that belong to the software.

If you want to allow the program to connect to the Internet, for example to fetch updates, add an exclusion of the type Exclude an application that Connects to the Internet and use the Browse button to select the file you wish to grant access.

Associated threats

• PUP.Optional.WindowsProtectManager.A
• PUP.Optional.WPM

Traces/IOCs

Associated files:

• SHA256 120329c84e0b7b2090d8a40e6b20ca1d3b8d8ca157d0bbb3e804abc86d62d480
• SHA256 949eba99961fe0b2df90c5f18689b66d19d4728837c57257805baf499fd400ad
• SHA256 9cdbe4b88122b133a87135537007f8b9952b0fbd903c2e071d949e50de2f3cd8
• SHA256 f6a55c71835e60869725a59ad8239b08b4bf586063edc453df9f52be3e2ee892