In today’s digital landscape, encountering malicious software and intrusive pop-ups is an unfortunate reality for many internet users. Counter.wmail-service.com is one such nuisance that can disrupt your online experience and compromise your cybersecurity. In this guide, This tutorial will take you deeper into the world of Counter.wmail-service.com, exploring its origins, its potential risks, and most importantly, how to effectively remove Counter.wmail-service.com from your system.
Understanding Counter.wmail-service.com
Counter.wmail-service.com is a persistent browser hijacker that typically infiltrates systems through deceptive tactics such as software bundling or malicious email attachments. Once installed, it takes control of your browser settings, redirecting your searches to unwanted websites and bombarding you with intrusive pop-up ads.
The Risks Associated with Counter.wmail-service.com
The presence of Counter.wmail-service.com on your system poses significant risks to your cybersecurity and online privacy. These risks include:
Malware Installation
Counter.wmail-service.com may serve as a gateway for more malicious software to infiltrate your system, leading to potential data breaches and financial loss.
Privacy Invasion
By monitoring your browsing activities and collecting sensitive information, Counter.wmail-service.com jeopardizes your privacy and exposes you to the risk of identity theft.
System Instability
The constant redirections and pop-up ads generated by Counter.wmail-service.com can significantly degrade your system’s performance, leading to crashes and instability.
Removing Counter.wmail-service.com: Step-by-Step Guide
To check your computer for malware and remove it for free, please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Using Rkill to Stop Harmful Programs
RKill is a helpful tool created by BleepingComputer.com. Its main job is to stop bad programs on your computer so that your regular security software can work properly and clean your computer.
Download RKill
You can get RKill on your computer by going to a special website. There, you’ll see a button that says “Download Now.” Click that button, and it will start downloading a file called iExplore.exe. This file is RKill, but it’s given a different name because some bad programs don’t let you run things unless they have a certain name.
Run RKill
After it’s done downloading, find the file called iExplore.exe. Usually, it goes into a folder called “Downloads” on your computer. Double-click on it to open it up. When you do this, RKill starts working to stop bad programs on your computer.
Wait for RKill to Finish
RKill looks for bad programs on your computer and stops them. This part might take a little while, especially if there are lots of bad programs. When it’s done, a black window will close by itself, and a log file will show up. Don’t restart your computer yet. Keep going with the next step in this guide.
By following these steps and using RKill, you can stop bad programs, including the Counter.wmail-service.com Trojan, from causing trouble on your computer.
Step 2: Removing Malicious Programs from Your Computer
In this second step, we’ll manually check if any unfamiliar or harmful programs are installed on your computer. Sometimes, adware and browser hijackers can be uninstalled like regular programs.
How to Check for Malicious Programs:
Open Windows Settings: Press the Windows key and the letter “I” at the same time on your keyboard. This will open the Settings app. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start button and choose “Settings” from the menu.
Navigate to Apps & Features: Inside the Settings app, click on “Apps” from the sidebar menu, then select “Apps & features” from the options listed.
Find Suspicious Programs: Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything unfamiliar or suspicious. You can make this easier by sorting the list by installation date. To do this, click on “Sort by” and choose “Install date”.
Uninstall the Malicious Program: When you identify a suspicious program, click on the three dots (…) next to it and select “Uninstall” from the menu. Follow any prompts that appear to complete the uninstallation process.
- Tip: Pay close attention to the prompts, as some malicious programs may try to trick you into agreeing to additional installations.
Confirm the Uninstall: In the confirmation dialog box, click on “Uninstall” to confirm the removal of the program. Follow any additional prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
- Tip: If you encounter difficulties uninstalling a program, consider using Revo Uninstaller, a tool that can help remove unwanted programs completely from your computer.
Once you’ve removed any malicious programs from your computer, you can proceed to the next step in this guide.
Step 3: Removing Malicious Browser Policies from Windows
In this third step, we’ll use the Command Prompt as an Administrator to execute commands that will remove any harmful policies set by malware on your computer.
How to Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
Search for Command Prompt: Type “cmd” in the search bar of your Windows computer.
Run as Administrator: Right-click on the Command Prompt result and choose “Run as administrator” from the options shown. A User Account Control (UAC) prompt may appear asking for permission to run the program. Click “Yes” to proceed.
Removing Malicious Policies:
Access Command Prompt: Once the Command Prompt window opens as an Administrator, you’ll see a black screen where you can enter commands.
Enter Commands: Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
- Type RD /S /Q “%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers” and press Enter.
- Type RD /S /Q “%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy” and press Enter.
- Type gpupdate /force and press Enter.
Confirmation:
Once you’ve executed these commands, the malicious policies will be removed from your Windows system. In the next step, we’ll proceed to reset your browser settings to their default configurations.
Step 4: Deleting Malicious Files and Folders from Windows
In this fourth step, we’ll manually search for and remove any harmful scheduled tasks, folders, and browser shortcuts created by the malware on your computer.
Deleting Malicious Scheduled Tasks:
Access Task Scheduler: Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Windows search bar. Alternatively, press the Windows + R buttons, type “taskschd.msc” in the Run app, and hit Enter.
Navigate to Task Scheduler Library: In the Task Scheduler window, click on “Task Scheduler Library” on the left side.
Identify and Delete Malicious Tasks: Look through the list of tasks for any suspicious or unknown tasks, which may have random names like Chrome_Policy or Chrome_Bookmarks. Right-click on any identified malicious task and select “Delete” from the menu.
Deleting Malicious Files in AppData\Roaming Folder:
Access Roaming Folder: Search for “Run” in the Windows search bar, or press Windows + R. In the Run app, type “%AppData%” and click OK. This will open the Roaming folder.
Search and Delete Unknown Folders: In the Roaming folder, search for and delete any folders with unfamiliar names, such as Default, Chrome32, Energy, Bloom, or Travel.
Deleting Malicious Files in AppData\Local Folder:
Access Local Folder: Search for “Run” in the Windows search bar, or press Windows + R. In the Run app, type “%localappdata%” and click OK. This will open the Local folder.
Delete Malicious Folders: In the Local folder, search for and delete the Default, WindowsApp, and ServiceApp folders.
Remove Malicious Chrome Extensions: Navigate to the Google folder, then to Chrome > User Data > Default (or Profile) > Extensions. Delete any suspicious or unknown extension folders found within the Extensions folder.
Removing Chrome Shortcut Modification:
Modify Chrome Shortcut: Right-click on the Google Chrome shortcut on your desktop or Start Menu and select “Properties”.
Remove Suspicious Text from Target Field: In the Properties window, go to the Shortcut tab and look for the “Target” field. Remove any suspicious text that may have been added, especially anything referencing the AppData folder.
Save Changes: Click OK to save the changes and close Properties.
Launch Chrome: Launch Chrome normally through the modified shortcut. The extension should no longer load on startup.
By manually removing these malicious files, folders, and shortcut modifications, we’ve cleaned your computer from the harmful effects of the malware. We can now proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Resetting Browser Settings to Defaults
In this step, we’ll reset your browser settings to their original defaults to remove spam notifications, malicious extensions, and any changes made by malware.
Note:
Resetting your browser will remove all extensions, toolbars, and customizations but will keep your bookmarks and favorites intact.
Resetting Chrome for Windows:
Open Chrome Settings: Launch Chrome and click on the menu button (three vertical dots) located in the top right corner of the window. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings”.
Access Advanced Settings: In the Settings page, click on “Advanced” located in the left sidebar.
Navigate to Reset and Clean Up: Under the “Advanced” section, locate and click on “Reset and clean up”.
Reset to Original Defaults: Within the “Reset and clean up” section, click on “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
Confirm Reset: A confirmation dialog will appear, listing the components that will be restored to their default state. To proceed with the reset, click on the “Reset settings” button.
Reset Chrome Data Sync (Optional): If a malicious extension reinstalls itself after the reset, you can reset the data sync for your browser. Visit chrome.google.com/sync and click on the “Clear Data” button.
By following these steps, you’ll reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults, effectively removing any unwanted changes made by malware.
Step 6: Using Malwarebytes to Remove Trojans and Browser Hijackers
In this step, we’ll install and run a scan with Malwarebytes Free to detect and remove any trojans, adware, or potentially unwanted programs from your computer.
Why Malwarebytes:
Malwarebytes is a widely trusted anti-malware software for Windows. It’s effective at removing various types of malware and is available for free, making it an essential tool in fighting against malware.
How to Use Malwarebytes:
Download Malwarebytes: Visit the Malwarebytes website and download the setup file for Windows.
Install Malwarebytes: Double-click on the downloaded MBSetup file to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. If prompted by User Account Control, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Start the Scan: Once Malwarebytes is installed, open the program and click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Scan to Complete: The scanning process may take a few minutes. You can continue with other tasks while the scan runs. Periodically check the status of the scan to see when it’s finished.
Review Detected Threats: After the scan is complete, Malwarebytes will display a list of detected malware, adware, or potentially unwanted programs. Click on the “Quarantine” button to remove these threats from your computer.
Restart Your Computer: Malwarebytes may prompt you to restart your computer to complete the removal process. Follow any prompts to restart your computer if necessary.
By following these steps and using Malwarebytes, you can effectively remove trojans, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs from your computer, ensuring a safer and more secure browsing experience.
Step 7: Using HitmanPro to Scan for Rootkits and Other Malware
In this step, we’ll utilize HitmanPro to conduct a thorough scan of your computer to ensure no additional malicious programs, including rootkits, are present.
Why HitmanPro:
HitmanPro is a reliable second-opinion scanner that employs a cloud-based approach to malware detection. It examines the behavior of active files and checks common malware locations for suspicious activity. Additionally, HitmanPro utilizes Bitdefender and Kaspersky antivirus engines for enhanced detection capabilities.
How to Use HitmanPro:
Download HitmanPro: Visit the HitmanPro website and download the setup file.
Install HitmanPro: Double-click on the downloaded “hitmanpro.exe” file (for 32-bit Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” file (for 64-bit Windows) to begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Start the Scan: Once installed, open HitmanPro. Click on the “Next” button to initiate a system scan.
Wait for the Scan to Complete: HitmanPro will now scan your computer for any malicious programs, including rootkits. This process may take some time, so be patient and allow the scan to finish.
Review Detected Threats: After the scan is complete, HitmanPro will display a list of detected malware. Click on the “Next” button to proceed with removing the detected items.
Activate Free License: HitmanPro may prompt you to activate a free 30-day trial to remove the detected malware. Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the trial and remove the malicious files from your computer.
Complete Removal Process: Once the malware removal process is finished, HitmanPro will display a summary of the removed programs. Click on the “Next” button, and if prompted, click on the “Reboot” button to restart your computer. If HitmanPro does not prompt you to reboot, simply click on the “Close” button.
By following these steps and using HitmanPro, you can ensure that your computer is thoroughly scanned for rootkits and other malware, providing you with a safer computing experience.
Step 8: Using AdwCleaner to Remove Adware and Malicious Browser Policies
In this final step, we’ll use AdwCleaner to eliminate adware and malicious browser policies set by browser hijackers on your computer, along with deleting any harmful browser extensions.
Why AdwCleaner:
AdwCleaner is a widely used on-demand scanner that specializes in detecting and removing malware that may go unnoticed by other antivirus and anti-malware programs. It’s especially effective against adware, browser hijackers, and other unwanted software.
How to Use AdwCleaner:
Download AdwCleaner: Visit the official website and download the setup file.
Install AdwCleaner: Double-click on the downloaded “adwcleaner_x.x.x.exe” file to start the installation process. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. If Windows prompts you to allow AdwCleaner to run, click “Yes” to proceed.
Open AdwCleaner: Once installed, double-click on the AdwCleaner icon to launch the program. Review and accept the license agreement if prompted.
Enable “Reset Chrome Policies”: In the AdwCleaner window, click on “Settings” on the left side, then enable the option for “Reset Chrome policies”.
Initiate Scan: Click on “Dashboard” on the left side, then select “Scan” to start scanning your computer for malware. Wait for the scan to complete.
Review Detected Threats: After the scan finishes, AdwCleaner will display a list of detected items. Click on the “Quarantine” button to remove the malicious programs from your computer.
Confirm Removal: AdwCleaner may prompt you to save any open files or data before proceeding with the removal process. Click on “Continue” to proceed with removing the detected malware.
Restart Your Computer: After the removal process is complete, AdwCleaner may prompt you to restart your computer. Follow any prompts to restart your computer if necessary.
Verify Removal: Your computer should now be free of the Counter.wmail-service.com Trojan and other malicious programs. If you encounter any issues, consider running a scan with Emsisoft Emergency Kit or seeking further assistance in malware removal forums.
By following these steps and using AdwCleaner, you can effectively remove adware, browser hijackers, and malicious browser policies from your computer, ensuring a cleaner and safer browsing experience.
Read More : counter.wmail-service.com: Unmasking VenomSoftX’s Source
How to Maintain Online Safety
Here are fundamental security guidelines to safeguard yourself against malware and protect your device:
Utilize a Reliable Antivirus and Keep it Updated
Ensure you use a reputable antivirus program and regularly update it to fend off the latest cyber threats. We highly recommend Malwarebytes Premium for comprehensive protection across various devices, including Windows, Mac computers, and mobile devices. Malwarebytes complements traditional antivirus software, offering additional defense against sophisticated security threats.
Keep Software and Operating Systems Current
Stay vigilant during software installations, carefully reviewing installation screens and license agreements. Opt for custom or advanced installation options to uncover any third-party software bundled with the main installation. Be cautious at every stage of the process and fully understand what you’re agreeing to before proceeding.
Exercise caution during the installation of programs and apps.
Carefully scrutinize installation screens and license agreements. Opt for custom or advanced installation options, as they frequently reveal any bundled third-party software. Remain vigilant at every step of the process, ensuring you fully comprehend the terms before proceeding with the “Next” button.
Employ an Ad Blocker
Integrate a browser-based content blocker like AdGuard to prevent malicious ads, Trojans, phishing attempts, and other undesirable content that might slip through traditional antivirus defenses alone.
Exercise Caution When Downloading
Beware of cybercriminals attempting to lure you into downloading malware disguised as legitimate applications. Whether it’s a popular game or a seemingly helpful utility app, always verify the source and authenticity of the download before proceeding.
Stay Vigilant Against Social Engineering Tactics
Remain cautious across all communication channels, including email, phone calls, and messaging apps, as cybercriminals often employ various tactics to deceive users into clicking malicious links or divulging sensitive information. Be aware that spoofed phone numbers or familiar names can still pose risks.
Regularly Back Up Your Data
Frequently back up your data and verify that your backup files are readily restorable. Utilize external HDDs, USB sticks, or backup software for automatic backups. This is crucial for mitigating the impact of ransomware attacks. Avoid connecting backup drives to infected computers.
Strengthen Password Security
Employ strong, unique passwords for each account and refrain from using easily guessable information. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever feasible to add an extra layer of security.
Exercise Caution When Clicking Links
Exercise discretion when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar sources to avoid falling victim to malware or phishing scams.
Avoid Pirated Software
Refrain from using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing platforms, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software, as they often pose significant risks to your data privacy and security.
Conclusion
Counter.wmail-service.com is a persistent browser hijacker that can wreak havoc on your system and compromise your cybersecurity. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively remove Counter.wmail-service.com from your device and safeguard your online experience. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and prioritize your digital security at all times.