This article is created in order to help explain what is the Windows Net Proxy Auto Service PUP and hence prevent it from displaying advertisements or collect information on the computers it has been installed on.
The Windows Net Proxy Auto Service, also known as WinNetSvc Is a Windows service which is activated as a result of having adware on your computer and having it is a clear sign of that. One possible use case of this software is to change network settings on the computers it has been installed on in order to allow the free displaying of different types of advertisements on the computers that have been affected. In addition to this, the ad-supported software may also collect different types of information from the victim’s computer. This information may include multiple different types of data, which may even include personal details on the affected computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | Windows Net Proxy Auto Service |
| Type | Adware/PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to display multiple different advertisements on the computers it has been installed on. |
| Symptoms | Your computer may begin to perform slow and start to display advertisements on the computers of the users. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Windows Net Proxy Auto Service. |
Windows Net Proxy Auto Service – Distribution
The main method by which the unwanted software that installs the Windows Net Proxy Auto Service on the computers of victims has been reported to be via methods, like software bundling which includes the combination of different types of programs, whose purpose in general is to be free and help users. Such freeware are often your favorite media player or any other seemingly useful program of this type. Such software is often provided for free by software download sites or torrent sites and in the name of profit, the providers often bundle the installers by including programs, like the unwanted program which installs the Windows Net Proxy Auto Service onto the victims’ computers.
Windows Net Proxy Auto Service – Analysis
The Windows Net Proxy Auto Service adware aims to act as if it is a legitimate proxy service and is added to Windows Services. At first glance, it looks like a system service:
However, when we take a look at it from another perspective, the program may be able to perform multiple different activities on the users computers, that are related with displaying different types of advertisements on the computers of users, such as:
- Pop-ups.
- Banners.
- Online browser redirects.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Highlighted text ads.
These advertisements in general aim to generate money for the cyber-criminals by driving hoax traffic to small sites or sites of the same people who are behind this suspicious Windows Service. However, often this is not the case, since the ads may also lead users to various websites that are malicious or scamming. In fact the dangers, that may await you in the corner if you become redirected to such third-party sites may be various:
- Scamming sites that may claim there is a problem with your PC.
- Malicious sites that may infect your computer with malware.
- Websites that aim to perform different types of activities, like fake surveys which may collect personal information from your.
- Sites that may pretend to be Facebook, LinkedIn or other social media sites to gather usernames and passwords from you.
These and the possibility that this software may extract different information from your computer via tampering with your network settings are the main reasons to consider removing this unwanted software from your computer.
Remove Windows Net Proxy Auto Service Fully
In order to make sure to delete this program from your computer, you will first need to disable it as an active service. This can happen if you perform the following steps:
1.On your keyboard, press Windows Button + R.
2.In the Run Window type “services.msc” after which click on OK.
3.Locate the Windows Net Service or Windows Net Proxy Auto Service.
4.Right-click it and then click on Properties. From there you can stop it and set it’s startup type to Disable so that it cannot switch on again.
If there is no such service, simply leave it and proceed by deleting WinNetSvc.exe.
To delete WinNetSvc.exe, you should do so by going to the following directory:
→ %Roaming%\WinNetSvc\WinNetSvc.exe
After you see the .exe file, it is strongly reccomended that you delete it immediately. If it is running, you should end it as an active task in Windows Task Manager.
After removing the source of the advertisements that ay be appearing on your computer, it is now time to secure your computer. You can do that by following the manual or automatic removal instructions below. If you do not know how to manually detect any adware applications or malware, be advised that researchers often advise to automatically remove any unwanted and intrusive software with the aid of an advanced anti-malware software. Such program aims to help you to remove the Windows Net Proxy Auto Service and other unwanted programs fully and will secure your computer against any future infections that might occur as well.
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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How to Remove Windows Net Proxy Auto Service from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Windows Net Proxy Auto Service with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service (Windows).
Get rid of Windows Net Proxy Auto Service from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service. 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Windows Net Proxy Auto Service, 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service (Mac)
Remove Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service will be removed.
Eliminate Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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".
Windows Net Proxy Auto Service-FAQ
What Is Windows Net Proxy Auto Service?
The Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service?
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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service?
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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service Work?
Once installed, Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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.
Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Windows Net Proxy Auto Service 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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service?
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 Windows Net Proxy Auto Service threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.