Remove dnsapi.dll missing error virus

The infection that makes dnsapi.dll service function improperly on a Windows computer can make a mess of the user’s web navigation and cause system errors.

There’s a couple of aliases of the malicious code referred to as the ‘DLL modifier’. The one dubbed ‘dnsapi.dll patcher’ is by far the most widespread variant representing this malware category. Its primary focus is the victim’s Internet surfing environment. Technically a trojan horse, this complex plague creates a new hosts file in the compromised system and then reconfigures the dnsapi.dll process to call said file instead of the original one. The consequences of such a change can be easily understood given the important function that the hosts file performs in the OS – it maps hostnames to IPs. The trojan can therefore define a wrong structure of these associations so that the user visits unwanted web pages and encounters advertisements that would otherwise not be there.

The unauthorized privileges that the corrupt program gets via these nontrivial manipulations are a goldmine for adware makers and distributors. This way, they can build a large network of infected PCs that will be constantly sending traffic to predefined sites. Monetization of these unique hits isn’t difficult as long as the respective affiliate associations are established. Also, quite a few ad-injecting applications are known to patch the dnsapi.dll service in order to display arbitrary commercial content on websites accessed from the infected box. These intrusive extensions generate deceptive software update prompts like the one below and may embed things like deals, coupons and in-text links.

Here are a few examples of prevalent adware whose activity relies on the dnsapi.dll patching trick: Shopperz, Jabuticaba, and LaSuperba. They all attack computers by bundling with free lightweight utilities that proliferate by means of multi-component installation wizards. Trojan:W32/Dllpatcher, which is the flagging by some security tools, may also lead to system issues where the victim gets popup errors saying “The program can’t start because dnsapi.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix problem.” This is typically an upshot of poorly written malware code that ended up obliterating the file from the machine altogether, or it may be caused by removal attempts on the user’s end that weren’t thorough enough. One way or another, the dnsapi.dll virus issue should be attended to without delay.

Automated removal of dnsapi.dll virus

Owing to an up-to-date database of malware signatures and intelligent behavioral detection, the recommended software can quickly locate the infection, eradicate it and remediate all harmful changes. So go ahead and do the following:

1. Download and install the antimalware tool. Open the solution and have it check your PC for PUPs and other types of malicious software by clicking the Start Computer Scan button

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2. Rest assured the scan report will list all items that may harm your operating system. Select the detected entries and click Fix Threats to get the troubleshooting completed.

Use Control Panel to get rid of dnsapi.dll adware

• Open up the Control Panel from your Start menu in Windows and select Uninstall a program

• To facilitate the process of locating the threat, sort the programs list by date to get the latest ones displayed at the very top. Find Shopperz, Jabuticaba, LaSuperba or some other unfamiliar entry under the Name column, click Uninstall and follow further directions to get the removal done.

Restore web browser settings to their original defaults

In the circumstances of a complex browser hijack like this, executing a reset makes the most sense despite a few obvious downsides. Customizations such as saved passwords, bookmarked pages etc. will be gone, but so will all the changes made by the potentially unwanted program. The instructions below address the workflow for the web browsers most targeted by dnsapi.dll virus.

Reset Google Chrome

• Open Chrome, expand the Customize and control Google Chrome menu and choose Settings

• Scroll down the settings screen and click Advanced down at the bottom

• Move on to the Reset and clean up sub-section and select the option that says Restore settings to their original defaults

• Finally, confirm the restoration by clicking Reset settings on the warning message

• Restart Chrome.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox, type about:support in the URL area and press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Open menu icon in the top right-hand part of the browser window, then select the Help option and proceed to Troubleshooting Information

• On the Troubleshooting Information screen, spot the Refresh Firefox button and click on it

• Follow subsequent directions to reset Firefox to its original settings

• Restart the browser.

Reset Internet Explorer

• Select Internet options under IE’s Tools (Alt+X)

• Proceed by clicking on Advanced tab, then select Reset

• To confirm the intended changes, click Reset on the Reset Internet Explorer Settings screen after ascertaining that the Delete personal settings checkbox is enabled

• Reboot the machine to fully implement the fix.

Reset Safari

• Go to the Safari menu and select Preferences

• When on the Preferences screen, select the Privacy tab and hit the Remove All Website Data button if you are up to erasing all website data stored on your Mac. Otherwise, you can use a site-specific removal option described below

• A dialog will appear, asking you to validate your choice. Click the Remove Now button if you are sure. Be advised this will log you out of online services and undo personalized web browser settings such as saved passwords, etc.

• Safari also allows deleting data for specific sites rather than all sites in general. To use this option, click the Details button under Privacy tab

• Select the websites for which you would like to erase data and click the Remove button

• Click the Done button to confirm and exit. You can also select the Remove All option to remove all data stored by the listed websites.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup.

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