A suspicious process has been the reason for numerous reports about pop-up advertisements as well as other suspicious activities on affected computers. The process is belongs to ad-supported software, going by the name of DNS Keeper. Similar to other adware, such as DNS Unlocker, DNS Locker, DNS Unblocker, it has been regarded as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). Although DNS Keeper is advertised as a program that may benefit users in their online browsing and experience the program may do exactly the opposite. Security researchers strongly advise users to stop the process and uninstall the software completely and scan their PCs with an advanced anti-malware tool to secure it.
| Name | Dnstehachapi.exe |
| Type | Adware process |
| Short Description | May collect information, administer POP ups and may modify user DNS settings. |
| Symptoms | Slow user PC. Web browser not responding. Pop-ups and other advertisements. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, freeware installers. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Dnstehachapi.exe |
Dnstehachapi.exe – How Did I Get It?
One way to install this program on a computer is if the user unknowingly uses a bundled setup to install freeware. Most third-party sites support the installation of widely used free programs bundled altogether with software that is considered potentially unsafe. You may have missed seeing something familiar to ‘Include DNS Keeper as free extra’ in the ‘Custom’ installation option of your installer. This is why it is highly advisable for users to take their time whilst installing new software in their systems.
Dnstehachapi.exe – More About It
The process dnstehachapi.exe is located in:
C:/Program Files/DNS Keeper/
Once ran on the user PC, the process may begin to cause several issues to the computer, by generating random advertisements during online browsing.
The program this process has been connected to (DNS Keeper) may also employ various types of tracking technologies to determine user interests:
- Pixels.
- Beacons.
- Cookies.
- Local Shared Objects.
Once the user’s searches, browsing history and online clicks may have been aggregated, the process then may begin to administered advertised content in the form of pop-ups, banners, ad-supported search results, highlighted text in browser and others. All of those advertisements are mostly connected with respectable sites. However, there may be advertised content or redirects leading to various suspicious online websites that may conceal certain risks from the user:
- Infect the user PC with malware (Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Ransomware)
- Scam the user to enter his information in fake registration forms for a reward or a trial.
- Con the user into calling fake tech support service that charges high rates.
- Subscribe users to SMS services that may be very expensive and automatic, without their consent.
The program may also have created various registry objects that may prevent it to be manually removed from the user PC. Also, it is very likely that the process may modify the ipv4 DNS settings of the user PC it has been installed on, changing them to the DNS settings of another domain to collect different information.
Should Dnstehachapi.exe be Removed?
Given that such processes have been regarded as low risk type of threats to the user PC, it is advisable that they be fully removed from the user PC. In order to remove them manually, you should follow the removal tutorial below. It is not advisable in any way to drag the folder into the Recycle Bin or Shift + Delete it manually, because it will most likely have no effect.
For best results it is recommended to use a professional security scanning tool that will delete all settings, changed by this unwanted program on your computer. Since conventional antivirus programs may not detect dnstehachapi.exe as a threat, because it is a low-level danger to the user PC and is not directly risky for the computer, it is highly recommended to use an advanced anti-malware program. Such program will detect any objects related to the process and remove them automatically. It may also find some other threats brought third-party advertised sites on your computer and protect you in the future from any intrusions.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe.
Step 2: Remove Dnstehachapi.exe from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Dnstehachapi.exe and click “Remove”
After Dnstehachapi.exe is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Dnstehachapi.exe to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After Dnstehachapi.exe has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on Dnstehachapi.exe
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Dnstehachapi.exe will be removed.
In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:
Step 3: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove Dnstehachapi.exe.
Removing Dnstehachapi.exe from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing Dnstehachapi.exe from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove Dnstehachapi.exe.
Step 4: Remove Dnstehachapi.exe automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Dnstehachapi.exe associated objects.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Dnstehachapi.exe from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Dnstehachapi.exe from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Dnstehachapi.exe from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Dnstehachapi.exe from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Dnstehachapi.exe from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Dnstehachapi.exe from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Dnstehachapi.exe from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Dnstehachapi.exe
Step 2: Uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe and related software from Windows
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 3: Clean any registries, created by Dnstehachapi.exe on your computer.
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 Dnstehachapi.exe 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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Dnstehachapi.exe from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Dnstehachapi.exe 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 Dnstehachapi.exe files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Dnstehachapi.exe, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Dnstehachapi.exe 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Dnstehachapi.exe 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Dnstehachapi.exe 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Dnstehachapi.exe 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 Dnstehachapi.exe will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Dnstehachapi.exe 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.
