What Is Defender-scan.xyz Redirect?
Defender-scan.xyz is the name of a potentially unwanted application, that has been created with the main idea to display as many advertisements as possible on your computer without your authorization. This program has been made mainly to cause different types of ads for profit and this is how it can be risky for your computer system, since most of these ads can lead to dangerous websites.
Read this article if you want to understand more details about this nasty software and how you can fully remove it from your Mac or Windows device completely and clean up your web browsers as well.
Defender-scan.xyz Summary
Defender-scan.xyz Summary
| Name | Defender-scan.xyz |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Defender-scan.xyz. |
Defender-scan.xyz Redirect – How Did I Get It
Defender-scan.xyz is the type of program, that has been categorized in the PUPs category. Other applications of the same category include the recently detected Scroll to Top, Freeadvworld and Exclusivedealsfinder.com ones.
These programs typically end up on your device via one of the two following methods:
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up or redirect to include it.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have on your computer.
In case the program that is behind Defender-scan.xyz it’s actually bundled with the installation package of some other program, there is a high possibility that you could encounter it in one of the install steps, where it could pretend to be a legitimate x-ray that is included, kind of like the example below shows:
Defender-scan.xyz Adware – What Does It Do?
Once the app behind Defender-scan.xyz been included in your device, it may begin to modify the settings of your web browsers, for example change the homepage, the new tab page and the default page you search with. All of these may result in this program obtaining access to the websites you visit. They outcome of this is that it could use them to show browser redirects and other forms of advertisements, like the following:
- Banner ads.
- Pop-up ads.
- Redirect adverts.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Text ads, highlighted on the sites you visit.
- Ad-supported results when you search something.
Many of the promoter account sent that is shown by Defender-scan.xyz make a different forms of cookies, pixels, tags, geolocation objects and other types of trackers:
Usually, programs like Defender-scan.xyz saying that this improves their services, but in reality does not know what kind of information these small objects gather from your computer system, for example:
- Your bookmarked websites.
- What you have visited.
- Which pages you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Sites that you have bookmarked on your computer.
- What searches you have made.
- Where you click online and your mouse movement.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your mouse movements.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- The browsing history of your web browser.
Is Defender-scan.xyz a Virus?
Defender-scan.xyz is a browser hijacker app. It is not a virus, but some of the advertisements that it may show could indirectly make it just as dangerous, because they can lead to websites like the following:
- Fake software download URLs.
- Phishing domains.
- Fake survey scams.
- Fraudulent tech support scams.
- Domains that may have viruses.
- Scammer websites.
- Redirect loop schemes of long URLs.
This is the main reason why our main suggestion is that you keep reading this article to understand more information on how to uninstall this program and clean up your web browsers.
How to Remove Defender-scan.xyz Adware?
Defender-scan.xyz is the type of application that could effectively be deleted from your device if you follow the removal instructions below. They have been specifically made with the primary idea to help you get rid of this nasty application either by yourself or automatically. Be advised, that the most effective removal method is to do it automatically, using a professional anti-malware software. Such a program has been specifically created with the main idea to assist you into removing this nasty application by automatic scanning for all of the malicious faucet may currently be residing on your machine.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
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- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Defender-scan.xyz from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Defender-scan.xyz with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Defender-scan.xyz and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Defender-scan.xyz on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Defender-scan.xyz there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Defender-scan.xyz (Windows).
Get rid of Defender-scan.xyz from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Defender-scan.xyz and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Defender-scan.xyz. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Defender-scan.xyz via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Defender-scan.xyz files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Defender-scan.xyz, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Defender-scan.xyz (Mac)
Remove Defender-scan.xyz from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Defender-scan.xyz from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Defender-scan.xyz from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Defender-scan.xyz from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Defender-scan.xyz will be removed.
Eliminate Defender-scan.xyz from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Defender-scan.xyz-FAQ
What Is Defender-scan.xyz?
The Defender-scan.xyz threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Defender-scan.xyz?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Defender-scan.xyz?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Defender-scan.xyz Work?
Once installed, Defender-scan.xyz can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Defender-scan.xyz can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Defender-scan.xyz Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Defender-scan.xyz Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Defender-scan.xyz how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Defender-scan.xyz?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Defender-scan.xyz threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.