PUA:Win32/SSProtect (SSProtect Unwanted Application) — Virus Removal Guide

Written by Wilbur Woodham
If you spectate the alert of PUA:Win32/SSProtect detection, it appears that your PC has a problem. All viruses are dangerous, with no deviations. SSProtect is a malware that aims at opening your system to further threats. The majority of the modern virus samples are complex, and can download various other viruses. Getting the PUA:Win32/SSProtect virus often means getting a malicious thing which can act like spyware or stealer, downloader, and a backdoor. Seeing this detection means that you need to perform the malware removal as fast as you can.

Any type of malware exists with the only target – gain money on you1. And the developers of these things are not thinking about morality – they utilize all available tactics. Stealing your private data, receiving the payments for the promotions you watch for them, exploiting your system components to mine cryptocurrencies – that is not the full list of what they do. Do you like to be a riding equine? That is a rhetorical question.

What does the pop-up with PUA:Win32/SSProtect detection mean?

The PUA:Win32/SSProtect detection you can see in the lower right side is shown to you by Microsoft Defender. That anti-malware application is quite OK at scanning, but prone to be generally unreliable. It is unprotected to malware invasions, it has a glitchy interface and problematic malware removal capabilities. For this reason, the pop-up which states about the SSProtect is just an alert that Defender has actually identified it. To remove it, you will likely need to use a separate anti-malware program.

PUA:Win32/SSProtect found

Microsoft Defender: “PUA:Win32/SSProtect”

The exact PUA:Win32/SSProtect infection is a very unpleasant thing. It sits inside of your computer disguised as a part of something benevolent, or as a piece of the application you have got on a forum. Therefore, it makes everything to weaken your system. At the end of this “party”, it injects other malicious things – ones which are choosen by cyber burglars who control this virus. Hence, it is likely impossible to predict the effects from SSProtect actions. And the unpredictability is one of the most upleasant things when it comes to malware. That’s why it is better not to choose at all, and don’t let the malware to complete its task.

Threat Summary:

Name SSProtect Unwanted Application
Detection PUA:Win32/SSProtect
Details ScanGuard is a system optimizer that is bundled with other free software that you download off of the Internet. Unfortunately, some free downloads do not adequately disclose that other software will also be installed and you may find that you have installed ScanGuard without your knowledge.
Fix Tool See If Your System Has Been Affected by SSProtect Unwanted Application

Is PUA:Win32/SSProtect dangerous?

As I have specified , non-harmful malware does not exist. And PUA:Win32/SSProtect is not an exclusion. This virus alters the system configurations, alters the Group Policies and registry. All of these things are vital for correct system functioning, even when we are not talking about system safety. Therefore, the virus which SSProtect carries, or which it will download after some time, will squeeze out maximum revenue from you. Cyber burglars can grab your data, and then push it on the Darknet. Using adware and browser hijacker functionality, built in PUA:Win32/SSProtect malware, they can make revenue by showing you the banners. Each view gives them a penny, but 100 views per day = $1. 1000 victims who watch 100 banners per day – $1000. Easy math, but sad conclusions. It is a bad choice to be a donkey for crooks.

How did I get this virus?

It is not easy to line the origins of malware on your computer. Nowadays, things are mixed, and distribution ways used by adware 5 years ago may be utilized by spyware nowadays. But if we abstract from the exact distribution method and will think of why it works, the explanation will be very simple – low level of cybersecurity understanding. People click on ads on odd websites, open the pop-ups they get in their web browsers, call the “Microsoft tech support” assuming that the scary banner that says about malware is true. It is necessary to recognize what is legitimate – to prevent misconceptions when trying to figure out a virus.

Nowadays, there are two of the most common tactics of malware spreading – bait e-mails and injection into a hacked program. While the first one is not so easy to avoid – you need to know a lot to recognize a fake – the second one is very easy to get rid of: just do not utilize cracked programs. Torrent-trackers and various other sources of “free” applications (which are, exactly, paid, but with a disabled license checking) are just a giveaway place of malware. And PUA:Win32/SSProtect is just within them.

How to remove the PUA:Win32/SSProtect from my PC?

PUA:Win32/SSProtect malware is incredibly difficult to erase by hand. It puts its files in numerous places throughout the disk, and can get back itself from one of the elements. Furthermore, various modifications in the windows registry, networking setups and also Group Policies are fairly hard to find and revert to the original. It is much better to utilize a specific app – exactly, an anti-malware program. GridinSoft Anti-Malware will definitely fit the most ideal for malware elimination objectives.

Why GridinSoft Anti-Malware? It is pretty lightweight and has its databases updated nearly every hour. In addition, it does not have such problems and vulnerabilities as Microsoft Defender does. The combination of these aspects makes GridinSoft Anti-Malware ideal for removing malware of any kind.

Remove the viruses with GridinSoft Anti-Malware

  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware. After the installation, you will be offered to perform the Standard Scan. Approve this action.
  • Gridinsoft Anti-Malware during the scan process

  • Standard scan checks the logical disk where the system files are stored, together with the files of programs you have already installed. The scan lasts up to 6 minutes.
  • GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan results

  • When the scan is over, you may choose the action for each detected virus. For all files of SSProtect the default option is “Delete”. Press “Apply” to finish the malware removal.
  • GridinSoft Anti-Malware - After Cleaning
How to Remove PUA:Win32/SSProtect Malware

Name: PUA:Win32/SSProtect

Description: If you have seen a message showing the “PUA:Win32/SSProtect found”, it seems that your system is in trouble. The SSProtect virus was detected, but to remove it, you need to use a security tool. Windows Defender, which has shown you this message, has detected the malware. However, Defender is not a reliable thing - it is prone to malfunction when it comes to malware removal. Getting the PUA:Win32/SSProtect malware on your PC is an unpleasant thing, and removing it as soon as possible must be your primary task.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Unwanted Application

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References

  1. Read about malware types on GridinSoft Threat encyclopedia.

About the author

Wilbur Woodham

I was a technical writer from early in my career, and consider IT Security one of my foundational skills. I’m sharing my experience here, and I hope you find it useful.

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