WinPcap - what is this program? This application is designed to enable the network card to work in hybrid mode. It is also known that it allows the reception and transmission of network packets bypassing protocols. Let's take a closer look at WinPcap. What kind of program is this? How is it installed on a computer and how to remove it?
Description and negative qualities
In addition to the above functions, the application can filter packets at the kernel level, it has the ability to remotely capture packets, the statistics engine. Interestingly, the program does not work with all models of standard Wi-Fi and VPN adapters. A large number of users consider WinPcap a potentially unwanted application for the reason that it can be installed on a computer without permission.
Some people generally think of WinPcap as a virus. The program’s notoriety came about because of a not very correct distribution method: it appears after installing some other shareware or freeware programs. The most unpleasant thing is that WinPcap monitors the actions of users, and then redirects them to unwanted sites, which, of course, contain advertising messages, often capable of infuriating any person. Another “harmful” feature of the utility is its opposition to removal. If you can’t get rid of it on your own, then the following information will be useful to you.
How does the program get to the computer?
What about WinPcap? That this is the same application as others. It can also be downloaded from the official site. But in most cases, it appears on the computer after installing WireShark or other similar software.
It is not hard to guess that in order to avoid the appearance of this program, you should always install only proven software. Also, when installing it, you need to carefully read each installation item and uncheck where they are not needed. If the user did not look, and some program nevertheless interfered with the browser, you can find out about this when it starts. It will become strange to behave and redirect to pages with advertising.
Such is the program. It is worth saying which operating systems are subject to WinPcap “attack”: Windows 8, 10 and older versions.
How to uninstall a program?
The removal process is quite standard. First of all, you need to open the "Control Panel", and in it find the item with installed programs and components. A list of programs opens, among which you can see WinPcap, as well as other suspicious utilities. Double-clicking on the name starts the removal of this unwanted software. If it does not start, then you need to go to the "Task Manager", find the same or similar working processes in it and clean them.
How to remove extensions?
Usually, after uninstalling a program, the browser leaves traces of it in the form of extensions. To remove them, go to the settings of your browser and find a list of all installed add-ons. Among them will be undesirable. You need to delete them, and then accept the changes and restart the browser. In all browsers, this is done almost the same.
It remains only to return to the previous home page, which is also done in the settings. Now you need to scan the operating system with special programs after removing WinPcap. What kind of programs are these? Dr.Web or SpyHunter is suitable. They will help to clean the registry and remove residual parasitic files from the computer.
What conclusion follows from the foregoing? WinPcap is only needed by those who are fully versed in its functions and install it intentionally. Other users can safely remove it if an accident has occurred.