How to remove Dllhost.exe malware

What is Dllhost.exe malware

Dllhost.exe is a piece of malicious software masking itself under dllhost.exe (COM Surrogate) – a legitimate and important Windows process running by default inside of each system. By doing so, the virus attempts to prevent users from thinking it is something suspicious. It is also possible to see a number of genuine dllhost.exe processes in Task Manager eating tons of CPU resources. For instance, a trojan called Poweliks is known to exploit the legitimate process to execute its dirty work. The malware we are talking about today creates a separate fake process to execute its unwanted tasks. It was found that users affected by it see force-open websites like adult pages, casinos, gambling, phishing, scam, pornography, and other types of resources promoting potentially dangerous content. The list of possible malware functions does not end with forcing redirects only. Such infections may embrace screen/audio recording features, keystroke memorization, spying on sensitive data, installation of malicious programs like crypto miners, and other similar things. If you suspect being infected with Dllhost.exe-masqueraded malware, make sure you follow our tutorial below to detect and remove it immediately.

How Dllhost.exe infected your computer

It was recently found that Dllhost.exe malware is spread on a website promoting fake “cracked” software. Users could end up visiting it via dubious ads or links on unreliable third-party resources. Unfortunately, this is not the sole channel abused by Dllhost.exe malware promoters. It is likely that some other channels are in to ensure a broader grip on potential victims. The most common distribution techniques are implemented via deceptive downloads, malicious attachments or links in e-mail spam messages, phishing pages, fake software updates/installers, Peer-to-Peer file-sharing networks (e.g. Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and so forth. We, therefore, recommend you avoid them and equip yourself with strong and up-to-date anti-malware software to combat such threats. You can find more information about it in the article below.

1. Download Dllhost.exe Removal Tool
2. Use Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove Dllhost.exe
3. Use Autoruns to remove Dllhost.exe
4. Files, folders and registry keys of Dllhost.exe
5. Other aliases of Dllhost.exe
6. How to protect from threats, like Dllhost.exe

Remove Dllhost.exe manually

Manual removal of Dllhost.exe by inexperienced users may become a difficult task because it does not create entries in Add/Remove Programs under Control Panel, does not install browser extensions, and uses random file names. However, there are pre-installed instruments in the Windows system, that allow you to detect and remove malware without using third-party applications. One of them is Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It comes with Windows Update in Windows 11, 10, 8. 8.1. For older operating system you can download it here: 64-bit version | 32-bit version.

Remove Dllhost.exe using Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

1. Type mrt in the search box near Start Menu.
2. Run mrt clicking on found item.
3. Click Next button.
4. Choose one of the scan modes Quick scan, Full scan, Customize scan (Full scan recommended).
5. Click Next button.
6. Click on View detailed results of the scan link to view the scan details.
7. Click Finish button.

Remove Dllhost.exe using Autoruns

Dllhost.exe often sets up to run at Windows startup as an Autorun entry or Scheduled task.

1. Download Autoruns using this link.
2. Extract the archive and run Autoruns.exe file.
3. In Options menu make sure there are checkboxes near Hide Empty Locations, Hide Microsoft Entries, and Hide Windows Entries.
4. Search for suspicious entries with weird names or running from locations like: C:\{username}\AppData\Roaming.
5. Right-click on suspicious entry and choose Delete. This will prevent the threat to run at startup.
6. Switch to Scheduled Tasks tab and do the same.
7. To remove files themselves, click on suspicious entries and choose Jump to Entry…. Remove files or registry keys found.

Remove files, folder and registry keys of Dllhost.exe

Dllhost.exe files and folders


Dllhost.exe


Dllhost.exe registry keys


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Aliases of Dllhost.exe

How to protect from threats, like Dllhost.exe, in future

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Dllhost.exe. However, if you got infected with Dllhost.exe with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Dllhost.exe on all levels (browser, e-mail attachments, Word or Excel scripts, file system) we recommend a leading provider of internet security solutions – BitDefender. Its solutions both for home and business users proved to be one of the most advanced and effective. Choose and get your BitDefender protection via the button below:

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