Quite often, when installing official software, you may encounter the appearance of some unknown Praetorian program on the computer, which generates its own process in the startup section of the system and, accordingly, in the Task Manager (Praetorian EXE file). What kind of component is this, many do not even guess, although there is an opinion that this is supposedly a viral applet. This is not true. Further, comprehensive information is offered on what this program is, why it is needed and how to get rid of it if the user does not need to use it.
Praetorian at startup: what is this applet?
In general, the program itself, strangely enough it sounds, refers to the software that was developed by Yandex (although some virus programs can also masquerade as this process). The software is official, so, in principle, there is nothing to be afraid of. The application itself is nothing more than a defender of the Yandex browser, if you, of course, installed it on a computer. Its sole purpose is to track changes to the start page or the search engine used in the browser. But this is only at first glance (further it will be clear why).
How it works?
Separately, it is worth noting that the program itself is outdated. Instead, it now uses the so-called “Browser Manager”, which sets its own process both in startup and in the “Task Manager”.
However, the Praetorian process may appear on older Windows XP operating systems. What kind of program is in the sense of introducing it into this OS, it’s easy to understand if you take into account that browsers and operating systems are constantly updated, but the old panels (toolbars) from Yandex are not always available. In other words, it turns out that the browser itself from Yandex and the desired quick access panel are “sharpened” for old browsers, and the new program does not support (for example, the same Internet Explorer installed in XP cannot work with the browser manager only on reason for its obsolescence).
As you know, you won’t jump above your head, and it is impossible to install the latest version of IE on XP (as well as the indicated panel). That is why when installing an additional add-in, it’s not the manager who appears, but Praetorian. What kind of program this is is a bit clear. But the main question that interests all users is to get rid of it. Let's move on to practical steps.
Location of folders and files
On Windows XP, application files are located in the Local and ApplicationData folders, which are located in user directories (the Users directory in the system partition). Oddly enough, in Windows 7 the application can also be activated, but its main directories are also in the Local folder, but already in Yandex \ Updater directories.
What is most interesting, you cannot find the same executable file of the EXE format even with any in-depth search in the system. But you can easily find two directories: Updater and Updater2, in which all the main elements are located (this will come in handy for the future when using an alternative removal method).
Praetorian: what is it and how to remove the application?
With removal issues, things are not so simple. If you are using IE, you must first remove the toolbar (panel). It is to be deleted, since its simple disconnection is not provided.
After that, you need to call the system configurator (msconfig in the "Run" console), go to the startup tab and disable the desired process there. Rebooting the system on demand is not necessary yet.
Now another look at Praetorian at startup. What it is? Yes, this is the most common panel. Thus, then you should enter the section of programs and components of the “Control Panel” and delete the “Yandex Bar” for Internet Explorer.
Alternative method
But it is briefly about removing Praetorian. What is this component, sorted out. Now let's see what can be done using, so to speak, violent methods, since the program can surprisingly be installed even with the browser manager.
First use the "Task Manager" (but there will not be a Praetorian process). What kind of program is this if an executable file is specified, but in fact it does not exist? The answer is simple: instead, there is the BrowserManager.exe process.
Using the RMB menu, open the file location, after which, in the "Explorer" one level higher, delete the BrowserManager, Toolbar, Updater, and Updater2 directories.
But there is one important nuance regarding Praetorian. What is this factor? Built-in protection. Indeed, the problem is that directories can be protected from deletion or modification, so whether you like it or not, you have to use the Unlocker utility, which unlocks access to Praetorian files. What kind of program is this, many know firsthand. It allows you to access even those components of the system that are impossible to change using conventional methods, even with a full set of rights.
The most effective removal technique
And that's not all with Praetorian. What kind of program it is, I think, is already clear. Deletion issues are also clarified. But why do all these things if you can do so much easier?
Use the iObit Uninstaller uninstaller and uninstall applications along with their integrated add-ins using it. Here, even unlocking access is not required. The only thing you should pay attention to is that the Praetorian program (what it is, it’s already clear - the application) can be in the main list, and the toolbar can be found in the section of add-ons and browser panels. Therefore, you will have to delete everything that is.
Instead of a total
That’s briefly and all that can be said about Praetorian. What kind of component is it and how to get rid of it, many probably already figured out. And you don’t need to think that this virus is more of a security tool, although many users report that the application is capable of transmitting personal information, such as browsing history and search queries, to the servers of the developing company, but this is another matter.