What Is Dovdefender.pro?
Dovdefender.pro is a deceptive website that generates fake pop-up warnings, falsely alerting users that their system is infected with malware. These fraudulent alerts impersonate legitimate security software, such as WebAdvisor, to create a sense of urgency and trick users into downloading potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or enabling intrusive push notifications.
Once a user interacts with these pop-ups, they may be redirected to dangerous websites that install additional adware, track online activity, or expose them to scams. While Dovdefender.pro itself is not a virus, it is a browser hijacker that can significantly impact system performance and security.
Dovdefender.pro Threat Overview
Threat Name | Dovdefender.pro |
---|---|
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP |
Danger Level | Medium |
Symptoms | Fake virus alerts, unwanted push notifications, browser redirects, excessive pop-ups, modified homepage settings |
Detection Names | PUP.Dovdefender, Adware.Dovdefender, Trojan.BrowserHijacker |
Associated Emails | Not applicable |
Potential Damage | Phishing attempts, installation of additional malware, browser slowdown, exposure to scams |
Distribution Methods | Malicious ads, bundled software installations, fake software updates, compromised websites |
How Did I Get Dovdefender.pro?
Dovdefender.pro often infiltrates systems through software bundling. When users download free programs from unverified sources, they may unknowingly install additional applications, such as browser hijackers. Additionally, visiting compromised websites or clicking on misleading ads can lead to unauthorized redirects to this deceptive page.
Users who frequently install software without carefully reviewing installation settings or permissions are at higher risk of encountering this threat.
What Does Dovdefender.pro Do?
Dovdefender.pro is designed to manipulate users into taking actions that could jeopardize their privacy and device security. Some of its key activities include:
- Displaying Fake Security Alerts – It floods users with alarming pop-ups, falsely claiming that a virus has been detected.
- Redirecting to Malicious Sites – Clicking on its alerts can lead to phishing sites, adware-laden pages, or scam promotions.
- Hijacking Browser Settings – It may modify search engines, new tab pages, or homepage settings.
- Enabling Unwanted Push Notifications – Once permission is granted, it continuously bombards users with misleading ads.
- Slowing Down Browsing Speed – The intrusive ads and redirects can significantly affect browsing performance.
If left unchecked, Dovdefender.pro can weaken security defenses, making the system more vulnerable to cyber threats.
Manual Adware Removal (Windows & Mac)
Step 1: Identify Suspicious Applications
For Windows Users
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
to open the Task Manager. - Check the “Processes” tab for unfamiliar or suspicious programs consuming excessive CPU or memory.
- If you find any, note their names and close them.
- Open
Control Panel
>Programs
>Programs and Features
. - Locate the suspicious application, right-click it, and select “Uninstall.”
For Mac Users
- Open
Finder
and navigate toApplications
. - Look for any suspicious or unknown applications.
- Drag them to the
Trash
, then right-click on theTrash
and selectEmpty Trash
. - Open
System Preferences
>Users & Groups
>Login Items
and remove any unrecognized startup programs.
Step 2: Remove Adware-Related Browser Extensions
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and go to
Menu
(three dots in the top-right corner) >Extensions
. - Locate suspicious extensions and click “Remove.”
- Reset Chrome: Go to
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and go to
Menu
(three lines in the top-right corner) >Add-ons and themes
. - Locate and remove suspicious extensions.
- Reset Firefox: Go to
Help
>More troubleshooting information
> “Refresh Firefox.”
Safari (Mac)
- Open Safari and go to
Preferences
>Extensions
. - Locate and remove any unknown extensions.
- Reset Safari: Go to
History
> “Clear History.”
Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge and go to
Menu
(three dots in the top-right corner) >Extensions
. - Remove suspicious extensions.
- Reset Edge: Go to
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their default values.”
Step 3: Delete Adware-Related Files and Folders
For Windows Users
- Press
Win + R
, type%AppData%
, and press Enter. - Look for suspicious folders and delete them.
- Repeat for
%LocalAppData%
,%ProgramData%
, and%Temp%
.
For Mac Users
- Open Finder, press
Shift + Command + G
, and enter~/Library/Application Support/
. - Locate and delete suspicious folders.
- Repeat for
~/Library/LaunchAgents/
,~/Library/LaunchDaemons/
, and~/Library/Preferences/
.
Step 4: Flush DNS Cache (Recommended)
For Windows Users
- Open
Command Prompt
as Administrator. - Type
ipconfig /flushdns
and press Enter.
For Mac Users
- Open
Terminal
. - Type
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
and press Enter.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Restart your device to complete the manual removal process.
Automatic Adware Removal Using SpyHunter (Windows & Mac)
For a hassle-free and effective removal, use SpyHunter, a robust anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove adware efficiently.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Download SpyHunter from the official website: Click here to download SpyHunter.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
Follow the installation instructions based on your operating system:
For Windows Users:
- Open the downloaded
.exe
file. - Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.
For Mac Users:
- Open the downloaded
.dmg
file. - Drag and drop SpyHunter into the Applications folder.
- Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.
Step 3: Perform a System Scan
- Open SpyHunter.
- Click on
Start Scan
. - Wait for the scan to complete.
- Review the detected threats and click
Fix Threats
to remove adware.
Step 4: Restart Your Device
After SpyHunter removes the threats, restart your computer to finalize the process.
For the most secure and effective removal, we recommend downloading and using SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter Here.
Stay safe and keep your system clean!
Conclusion
Dovdefender.pro is a deceptive website that manipulates users into believing their system is at risk. By using fake security warnings, it aims to lure victims into downloading unwanted programs or enabling intrusive ads. Although it is not a direct virus, its presence on a system can lead to further malware infections, privacy issues, and persistent browser disruptions.
To maintain a secure browsing environment, users should be cautious when downloading software, avoid clicking on suspicious pop-ups, and always use a reliable anti-malware solution to detect and block such threats.