The Winarcher Pup

The Winarcher Pup can appear on your computer after you install malware programs, such as adware applications and browser hijackers. While the real and main purpose of this Windows service file is not yet known or clear, we can tell you that it definitely sends information (e.g., your IP address) over the web to an adware distribution network. We cannot say that this is a major hit to your computer to find this .dll file on your system, but it might still pose a threat, not to mention that it comes on board with malware infections. We have labeled it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and we do not think that you should keep it on your PC after you have noticed it because this could have unforeseen consequences. As a matter of fact, we suggest that your remove The Winarcher Pup if you want to keep your system clean and secure. Let us tell you in more details what we have found out about this PUP.

The most likely way for you to find this useless file called Archer.dll is after installing one of the ELEX family browser hijackers, such as Oursearching.com and Amisites.com, or an unspecified adware program. When this happens, we can tell you with quite a big certainty that you let these infections on board by installing a whole freeware bundle. We also have to add that it is possible to directly install such malware infections when you click on questionable third-party content, but it is still more likely that you drop a whole bundle of malware threats when you do so. It could be vital for you to know how you can click on such questionable third-party ads and links so that you can avoid similar infections.

First of all, you can land on suspicious file-sharing pages when looking for a new free application or any other free file (book, music, and movie) to download. Many users infect their computers by ending up on unfamiliar torrent or freeware pages not knowing that the files promoted there could be tricky third-party installers packing several malware threats in addition to the target file. But this is not even the only way you can harm your system when you are viewing unfamiliar websites like these. In fact, there are several other types of pages, including gaming, gambling, dating, and porn sites, which are known to display plenty of annoying third-party ads of which some are not even visible or simply disguised as something like a button, for example. If you may have infected your computer in this way, we suggest that you delete The Winarcher Pup from your system and once done with that, you use a reliable malware scanner to detect all the malware infections and PUPs on board that need to be eliminated.

But you can also let further infections onto your system when you already have malware on board from previous attacks, such as adware programs and browser hijackers. These can display questionable third-party ads and links to you that can drop malicious bundles or take you to malicious websites that will do the same. Sometimes even potentially unwanted programs may show ads like these, this is why it is so important that you make sure that no infection of any kind is any longer on your computer. We advise you to delete The Winarcher Pup and all other threats you may find.

As we have stated above, this PUP (Archer.dll) is dropped when you are installing other malware infections. Although we have no clear knowledge of what this .dll file can really do or what its purpose could be, we assume that it monitors and updates the infections it comes with. We have found that it connects to an adware distribution network and sends certain information about you, including your IP address and probably data about your online activities. Based on this information customized content could be shown to you, which could be exploited by cyber criminals to set up traps for you to redirect you to their malicious websites. Keeping this PUP on board is totally unnecessary and useless; what’s more, it is also potentially risky as you hopefully see by now. This is why we suggest that you remove The Winarcher Pup as soon as you can.

Fortunately, it is not at all complicated to eliminate this threat. All you need to do is delete the related folders and registry keys and you are free of the potential threats; well, at least of the ones that could come through this PUP. You also need to address the possible issue of being threatened by more dangerous malware infections as well. We recommend that you use a proper anti-malware program to detect and remove all questionable and harmful programs from your system. Security software like SpyHunter can also automatically defend your PC from future malicious attacks if you keep it always active and updated.

How to remove The Winarcher Pup from Windows

1. Press Win+E.
2. Locate and remove the following folders:
   %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\WinArcher (64-bit)
   %PROGRAMFILES%\WinArcher
3. Press Win+R and type regedit. Click OK.
4. Locate and delete these registry keys:
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\WinArcher (64-bit)
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\WinArcher
5. Exit the editor.