Home > Trojan > Remove WeWatcherProxy PUP and Uninstall wewatcherproxy.exe
THREAT REMOVAL

Remove WeWatcherProxy PUP and Uninstall wewatcherproxy.exe

Security researchers have received multiple complaints regarding a program that has been detected as PUP.Optional.WeWatcherProxy.A. WeWatcher is adware but it may be more dangerous than the average ad-supported program.

Name WeWatcherProxy
Type LSP Browser Hijacker, Adware, PUP
Short Description The program may have entered the system in a silent manner.
Symptoms The user may see intrusive advertisements. He may also experience Internet connectivity issues.
Distribution Method Bundling, freeware installers.
Detection tool Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By WeWatcherProxy

According to researchers at MalwareBytes, WeWatcher has rookit capabilities and is classified as a LSP (Layered Service Provider) hijacker. LSP hijacking may intercept the connection between an important application and the Internet. In general, the user’s PC may be ‘suffering’ from Internet connectivity problems. Using powerful AV software that detects and removes rootkits is considered the quickest and safest way to remove WeWatcher and LSP hijackers.trojan

PUP.Optional.WeWatcherProxy.A Technical Review & Distribution

The WeWatcherProxy program may have been included in numerous freeware installers. This method is known as bundling and is considered a primary culprit of adware distribution. To paraphrase, WeWatcherProxy was downloaded alongside another program available on freeware and shareware pages. WeWatcherProxy may have been mentioned in the Download Agreement. However, WeWatcherProxy has rootkit capabilities and can be quite troublesome, and it may have sneaked into the system via a silent or unattended installation. Those kinds of installation require little or no user interaction. Such installers can easily be deployed to spread malicious code.

According to researchers at HerdProtect, WeWatcherProxy has been created by P4hostcom – a company that developes and distributes adware. WeWatcherProxy is often distributed with other ad-supported and potentially unwanted programs. The program may drop its own files onto the system, or may take over other processes.

Here is a list of files and processes that originate from WeWatcherProxy:

  • WeWatcherLSP.dll, located in C:\windows\syswow64\wewatcherlsp.dll
  • wewatcherproxy.exe, located in C:\Program Files\sysfiles\wewatcherproxy.exe
  • wewatcherlsp64.exe (WeWatcherLSP64.exe by WeWatcher)
  • wewatcherlsp.exe (WeWatcherLSP.exe by WeWatcher)
  • wewatcherproxy.exe (WeWatcherProxy.exe by WeWatcher)
  • wewatchercert.dll (WeWatcherCert.dll by WeWatcher)

Here is a list of probable detections by AV software providers:

  • Reason Heuristics detects it as PUP.P4hostcom (M)
  • Dr. Web detects it as Adware.Superfish.217
  • PUP.Optional.Winsock.HijackBoot, Rootkit.WeWatcher.PUP
  • McAfee detects it as BehavesLike.Win32.Suspicious.rc

PUP.Optional.WeWatcherProxy.A Removal Steps

LSP hijackers may be quite tricky to remove. Since they may intercept the Internet connection, downloading and running an AV scanner to detect and remove them may be impossible. If this is your case, you can try the steps given below.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim

More Posts

Follow Me:
Twitter


Preparation before removing WeWatcherProxy.

Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.

  • Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
  • Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
  • Be patient as this could take a while.
  • Scan for Malware
  • Fix Registries
  • Remove Virus Files

Step 1: Scan for WeWatcherProxy with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.


It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.


2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 1


3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 2


4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 3

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Step 2: Clean any registries, created by WeWatcherProxy 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 WeWatcherProxy there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:


1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 6


2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 7


3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 8 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.

Step 3: Find virus files created by WeWatcherProxy on your PC.


1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 9

2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 10

3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

file extension malicious

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.

2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:

1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Remove Virus Trojan

2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 11

3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

WeWatcherProxy FAQ

What Does WeWatcherProxy Trojan Do?

The WeWatcherProxy Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.

Can Trojans Steal Passwords?

Yes, Trojans, like WeWatcherProxy, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.

Can WeWatcherProxy Trojan Hide Itself?

Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.

Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?

Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind, that there are more sophisticated Trojans, that leave backdoors and reinfect even after factory reset.

Can WeWatcherProxy Trojan Infect WiFi?

Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.

Can Trojans Be Deleted?

Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.

Can Trojans Steal Files?

Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.

Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?

Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.

Can Trojans Infect USB?

Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.

About the WeWatcherProxy Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this WeWatcherProxy how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.

How did we conduct the research on WeWatcherProxy?

Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)

Furthermore, the research behind the WeWatcherProxy threat is backed with VirusTotal.

To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
I Agree