How to Remove TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT Virus

This article can help you to remove TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT Virus. The step by step removal works for every version of Microsoft Windows.

TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT is a nasty, sneaky Trojan horse. This is one notoriously harmful family of parasites which could cause you irreversible damage. Remember, there is a reason why PC users fear Trojan horses. Along with ransomware, these programs are the most harmful infections online. However, a ransomware-type virus will quickly manifest its presence. A Trojan will keep on messing with your default settings in silence. That means it could spend quite a lot of time wreaking havoc without you even knowing you have an infection. Does that thought make you feel safe? A Trojan horse has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. So does the particular infection you’re stuck with. TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT modifies your default system settings. It alters your system registry and, of course, bypasses your permission. Once your computer gets infected, your own preferences about your machine become irrelevant. The TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT virus serves hackers’ purposes, not yours. Your computer settings get changed and some important system files may be damaged. That’s not all, though. TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT’s rich variety of tricks is just getting started. You’re yet to see just how dangerous Trojans could be. As a result of the modifications, some of your programs won’t run. Apart from that, there are little to no signs of the parasite’s presence on board. As mentioned, though, it is key for your further safety to spot the infection before it’s too late. The more time such a pest remains unnoticed, the more trouble it could cause.  TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT might also inject your browsers with pop-up ads. If that happens, you should wave your browsing experience goodbye right away. Remember that clicking a commercial that’s generated by a virus is a mistake. Without a doubt, some pop-ups are corrupted and immensely harmful. The thing is that you can’t tell which ad is safe and which one isn’t until you click. Note that the commercials might appear to be harmless. You should know better than to open an ad displayed by a pesky cyber infection. Stay away from all coupons, discounts, product deals and even software updates you may notice. There might be some extremely dangerous links on your PC screen thanks to the virus. As if that wasn’t enough, this infection collects sensitive information. It spies on all your browsing-related data such as usernames, passwords, email addresses, IP addresses. Your browsing history gets stolen too so crooks have access to some quite sensitive data. It goes without saying they will find a way to make money out of your personal information. If your details get sent to third parties, things will become ugly.

How did I get infected with?

The parasite probably applied some of the most popular distribution methods online. That means it took advantage of your distraction and haste. Have you recently received some spam message or email-attachment? If you clicked it open, it’s very likely that’s how the virus got downloaded. You see, spam emails and messages offer infections a convenient, effective infiltration method. Furthermore, you’re the one who ends up letting the virus get downloaded. We’d strongly recommend that you delete any email or messages you don’t find reliable. That could prevent malware infiltration and save you quite the hassle. Also, stay away from unverified websites or torrents. Clicking third-party pop-ups open is another common mistake. Many viruses also travel the Web via freeware/shareware bundles or exploit kits. Note that it only takes a single moment of negligence to infect your PC. Don’t be careless and make sure no parasite gets to you again. Watch out for potential intruders in advance. You won’t regret it.

Why is this dangerous?

The Trojan makes unauthorized modifications in your default PC settings. It might also add some malicious extension to your browsers and bring along sponsored pop-ups. Avoid clicking any commercials you might come across. Keep in mind these advertisements may seem attractive but they get displayed by a pesky infection. There is no possibility that hackers are trying to enhance your online experience. As mentioned, they are simply trying to make effortless money at your expense. TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT could grant them remote control over your machine. It’s also able to steal some personally identifiable data. Before you fall victim to identity theft or some financial fraud, take action. To delete the Trojan manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

Manual TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT Removal Instructions

The TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT startup location

STEP 3: Delete TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

Step 4: Undo the possible damage done by TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

 

• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove TASKPLAY\CACHES.DAT Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible virus leftovers or temporary files.