Dovdefender.pro – Threat Summary
To provide a clear understanding of this threat, the table below summarizes its key details:
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | Dovdefender.pro |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Adware, PUP |
Detection Names | Adware.Generic, PUP.Optional.Dovdefender, BrowserModifier:Win32/Dovdefender |
Symptoms of Infection | Frequent pop-up alerts, browser redirects, modified homepage/new tab settings, excessive ads |
Associated Emails | No known associated email scams |
Damage Potential | Alters browser settings, installs unwanted software, exposes users to phishing sites, slows browsing speed |
Distribution Methods | Bundled software, malicious ads, deceptive pop-ups, unverified browser extensions |
Danger Level | Moderate to High |
What is Dovdefender.pro?
Dovdefender.pro is a deceptive website that bombards users with fake security alerts in an attempt to trick them into downloading potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or granting push notification permissions. It primarily impersonates WebAdvisor, a rogue security tool, displaying false virus warnings to induce panic. Clicking on these notifications can lead users to malicious websites or trigger the download of additional adware and browser hijackers.
Unlike legitimate cybersecurity solutions, Dovdefender.pro does not provide real protection; instead, it exposes users to security risks by promoting scam software and unwanted applications. If your browser is displaying these alerts, your system may be compromised.
How Did I Get Dovdefender.pro?
Dovdefender.pro often infiltrates systems through software bundling. Many users unknowingly install it when downloading free software from untrustworthy sources. Additionally, clicking on rogue advertisements or visiting compromised websites can trigger automatic redirects to Dovdefender.pro, leading to further infection.
What Does Dovdefender.pro Do?
Once active on a system, Dovdefender.pro disrupts browsing activity by:
- Spamming users with persistent pop-ups claiming virus infections.
- Redirecting users to phishing or scam sites that attempt to steal personal information.
- Installing additional adware or modifying browser settings without consent.
- Slowing down browsing performance due to excessive advertisements.
Dovdefender.pro is more than just an annoyance—it poses a genuine security risk. The longer it remains on a system, the more damage it can cause.
Manual Adware Removal Process (Windows & Mac)
Step 1: Identify and Uninstall Suspicious Applications
For Windows Users
- Open Task Manager by pressing
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
. - Navigate to the “Processes” tab and search for unknown or high-resource-consuming processes.
- If you detect anything suspicious, right-click and select “End Task.”
- Go to
Control Panel
>Programs
>Programs and Features
. - Locate and uninstall any unfamiliar programs.
For Mac Users
- Open
Finder
and click onApplications
. - Identify and move any suspicious applications to the
Trash
. - Empty the
Trash
. - Check
System Preferences
>Users & Groups
>Login Items
for unknown startup programs and remove them.
Step 2: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome, click
Menu
(three dots) >Extensions
. - Locate and remove unknown extensions.
- Reset Chrome:
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
Mozilla Firefox
- Click
Menu
>Add-ons and themes
. - Remove suspicious extensions.
- Reset Firefox:
Help
>More troubleshooting information
> “Refresh Firefox.”
Safari (Mac)
- Open Safari, go to
Preferences
>Extensions
. - Delete unknown extensions.
- Reset Safari:
History
> “Clear History.”
Microsoft Edge
- Click
Menu
>Extensions
. - Remove any unfamiliar extensions.
- Reset Edge:
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their default values.”
Step 3: Delete Adware-Associated Files and Folders
For Windows Users
- Press
Win + R
, type%AppData%
, and press Enter. - Locate and delete suspicious folders.
- Repeat for
%LocalAppData%
,%ProgramData%
, and%Temp%
.
For Mac Users
- Open Finder and press
Shift + Command + G
, then enter~/Library/Application Support/
. - Remove any suspicious folders.
- Repeat for
~/Library/LaunchAgents/
,~/Library/LaunchDaemons/
, and~/Library/Preferences/
.
Step 4: Flush DNS Cache to Remove Adware Traces
For Windows Users
- Open
Command Prompt
as Administrator. - Type
ipconfig /flushdns
and press Enter.
For Mac Users
- Open
Terminal
. - Enter
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
and press Enter.
Step 5: Restart Your System
Perform a reboot to apply the changes and ensure the removal process is complete.
Automatic Adware Removal Using SpyHunter (Windows & Mac)
For an effortless and effective solution, use SpyHunter, a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove adware completely.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Click the link to download SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter Here.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
Follow the installation guide based on your operating system:
For Windows Users
- Run the downloaded
.exe
file. - Follow the installation instructions.
- Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware database.
For Mac Users
- Open the downloaded
.dmg
file. - Drag and drop SpyHunter into
Applications
. - Open SpyHunter and let it update its database.
Step 3: Scan and Remove Adware
- Open SpyHunter.
- Click
Start Scan
. - Wait for the scan to complete.
- Click
Fix Threats
to remove detected malware.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
After SpyHunter removes all threats, restart your system to ensure all adware components are fully removed.
Conclusion
Dovdefender.pro is a rogue website designed to deceive users into downloading unwanted programs or granting dangerous permissions. It impersonates legitimate security tools to gain users’ trust while exposing them to potential cyber threats. If you are seeing pop-ups from this domain, it is essential to take immediate action to remove it and secure your device.