FirstFlix

FirstFlix is an application that promises to enable users to surf the web without any obstacles. To be more specific, this piece of software should enable users to access the “U.S restricted content.” In other words, it promises to allow users to open all kinds of websites, including such popular ones as NetFlix, HBO, CBS, and Spotify, no matter where they live. It says that it needs to do only one thing in order to enable users to do that – it needs to change the DNS settings. According to EULA, “by downloading our Services you hereby allow us to modify your DNS settings so as to enable the provision of the Services.” Of course, these settings will be changed on your computer even though FirstFlix enters the system without permission. Even though it is said that it needs to do that for a noble purpose, specialists at pcthreat.com have managed to find out that this software also changes these settings in order to be able to present users with all kinds of commercial advertisements. Therefore, researchers have put FirstFlix into the category of advertising-supported programs (adware).

We understand that you wish to surf the Internet without any limits; however, we still do not recommend that you keep FirstFlix installed because it is a suspicious program that needs to change the important DNS settings in order to work properly. Unfortunately, users will have to restore those changes themselves because FirstFlix will not fix those settings even if you get rid of it completely. To be honest, it is not worth keeping this program installed even though it promises to act in a beneficial way because it is also going to display all kinds of advertisements. These advertisements usually promote web pages, services, and different products; however, it does not mean that it is safe to click on them. On top of that, it has been noticed that these ads are quite annoying, for instance, they might not allow you to shop online without interruption. We hope that you understand why it is so important to erase this adware from the system. If not, you should know that you might click on the ads of FirstFlix accidentally and thus end up on a completely untrustworthy website with malicious content.

It has also been found that this advertising-supported application is going to gather information about users. Luckily, it claims in its Privacy Policy that it is not interested in personal information at all, and it is only going to record the so-called Anonymous Information. The anonymous information includes the “technical information transmitted by the end user’s device, including location, software and hardware specifications (e.g. browser type and version, operating system, version) and language preferences.” In order to act the way it does, this ad-supported program creates new registry keys (e.g. HKCU\SOFTWARE\FirstFlix, HKLM\SOFTWARE\FirstFlix, etc). On top of that, it will add its main folder to %PROGRAMFILES% (%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%), and, finally, it will add the task to the Task Scheduler.

Our researchers do not think that this adware can be fully trusted also because it is impossible to download it from its official website, which means that it is distributed somehow differently. According to researchers, most probably, this adware program travels in software bundles together with other applications, or might simply be available for download on unreliable third-party websites. To make sure that you do not download and install undesirable software ever again, you need to install a security tool. Our security specialists also suggest that you install only those programs that you know are 100% trustworthy ONLY. We are sure that it is possible to find users’ reviews about all kinds of applications on the web, so read them before you install new software.

It is not very likely that you will delete FirstFlix from Control Panel. In addition, there is no doubt that you will have to reset the DNS settings yourself too. Below the article you will find instructions – feel free to use them. Of course, there is another way to get rid of this infection as well. All you need to do is to acquire SpyHunter and then scan your system. This tool will also fix the DNS settings for you.

Remove FirstFlix

1. Launch RUN (Windows key + R).
2. Go to [HKCU\HKLM]SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node and [HKCU\HKLM]SOFTWARE.
3. Locate the FirstFlix key and remove it.
4. Open the Windows Explorer.
5. Delete the FirstFlix folder from %PROGRAMFILES% (%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%).
6. Go to %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\.
7. Find the task, e.g. {7E087947-0A0C-0B0A-7811-780804041108}, right-click on it, and select Delete.
8. Open the Task Scheduler (launch RUN and enter Taskschd.msc into the box. Click OK)
9. Find the Task C:\Windows\system32\WindowsPowershell\v1.0\powershell.exe.
10. If it contains the following string -nologo -executionpolicy bypass -noninteractive -windowstyle hidden –EncodedCommand, delete it.

Change the DNS settings

Windows XP

1. Click on the Start button and open Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Network Connections icon.
3. Double-click on the icon of the Internet connection you’re using, e.g. Local Area Connection.
4. Click Properties.
5. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
6. Click Properties.
7. Select Use the following DNS server addresses option.
8. Enter new DNS addresses and click OK.

Windows 7

1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Select View network status and tasks.
4. Click Change adapter settings.
5. Double-click on the icon of the Internet connection, e.g. Local Area Connection.
6. Click Properties.
7. Click and highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
8. Click Properties.
9. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
10. Enter the DNS addresses and click OK.

Windows Vista

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the menu.
3. Click View network status and tasks.
4. Select View status.
5. Click Properties and then click Continue.
6. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
7. Click Properties.
8. Select Use the following DNS server addresses option.
9. Enter DNS addresses.
10. Click OK.

Windows 8/8.1

1. Right-click on the lower-left corner.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Click on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
4. Click Change adapter settings.
5. Double-click on the icon for the Internet connection you use.
6. Click on the Properties button.
7. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
8. Click Properties.
9. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
10. Enter new DNS addresses and click OK.

Windows 10

1. Open the Control Panel (type Control Panel into the search box on the Taskbar).
2. Click View network status and tasks.
3. Select Change adapter settings.
4. Double-click on the icon of the Internet connection.
5. Click Properties.
6. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
7. Click Properties.
8. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
9. Enter DNS addresses.
10. Click OK.