AnyDesk is a Remote Desktop solution which has become very popular in the last two years. It is overtaking TeamViewer in popularity because AnyDesk is currently a lot more generous with how much activity they allow on the free version. However, it is not always desirable to have remote access software such as AnyDesk running on your network. This article explains a number of measures to block AnyDesk from connecting out to the big wide world.
Ports used by AnyDesk
AnyDesk ensures secure and reliable remote desktop connections for IT professionals and on-the-go individuals alike. Start your 14 day trial today. Work from Home Learn more. 300+ million downloads worldwide. 400+ million sessions per month. User reports indicate Anydesk is having problems since 10:28 AM BST. Are you also affected? Leave a message in the comments.
Like most hosted remote-access applications these days, AnyDesk connects out on ports TCP 80, TCP 443, and also one unique port – TCP 6568.
Internally, it uses UDP ports 50001-50003 for multicasting to allow discovery on your local network.
No special outbound rules or port forwarding are required to make AnyDesk work – so long as your network administrator hasn’t followed the below instructions to make life difficult for AnyDesk.
How to Block AnyDesk On Your Network
If you want to block AnyDesk on your network, there are a few measures you can put in place:
- Create local firewall rules using Windows Firewall to block outgoing connections from AnyDesk.exe
- Block the resolution of DNS records on the anydesk.com domain. If you run your own DNS server (such as an Active Directory server) then this is easy:
- Open your DNS Management Console
- Create a top-level record for ‘anydesk.com‘
- Do nothing else. By pointing this record nowhere you will stop connections to this domain and all of it’s subdomains
- Block anydesk.com in PiHole – this is another way to use DNS blocking to stop AnyDesk from connecting out via your network
- Ensure the only DNS connections allowed on your network are to your own internal DNS servers (which contain the above dummy-record). This removes the possibility of the AnyDesk client checking DNS records against their own servers, instead of yours. To do so, add a new outgoing firewall rule to disallow TCP & UDP port 53 from all source IP addresses, EXCEPT the addresses of your own DNS servers.
- You can utilise Group Policy to deny AnyDesk.exe from running. To do this, create a new Software Restriction Policy with a Hash Rule for AnyDesk.exe.
- If you have a firewall with Deep Packet Exception, you can enable the in-built rules to block AnyDesk. These firewalls often release new definition updates as the situation changes, so a lot of the hard work is handled for you.
- Block outgoing TCP Port 6568. You can create a DENY rule in your firewall to do this.
AnyDesk does not have any fixed IP addresses – they simply use IPs from cloud providers, and do not publish a list, so blocking IPs will be a game of whack-a-mole. However, these above seven steps should allow you to be successful in blocking AnyDesk from connecting out to the internet.
AnyDesk virus removal instructions
What is AnyDesk?
Similar to TeamViewer, AnyDesk, is a legitimate application that provides remote system control functionality. Recently, however, cyber criminals have started distributing a modified version of AnyDesk using the 'bundling' method, and thus it typically infiltrates without users’ permission.
The modified version is also used to remotely access systems, but without users' consent. The malicious version essentially runs in the background and waits for regular users to leave the computer unattended for a certain period. Once the user is 'away from the keyboard', cyber criminals remotely connect to the system and perform malicious actions. In most cases, these people target users' Amazon accounts. They use saved logins/passwords to sign into the Amazon website and purchase various items and gift cards. Amazon is not the only account at risk. Cyber criminals can do whatever they wish with access to the system (e.g., install other malware, steal logins/passwords, abuse social networks and other personal accounts, etc.) Therefore, the presence of AnyDesk's modified version can lead to high-risk computer infections and serious privacy issues. The desktop shortcut of the malicious version is called 'AnyDask' and its entry in the list of installed programs is 'AnyDeskApp'. If you notice that AnyDesk has infiltrated systems without your consent, or you have downloaded it from a third party source, immediately eliminate it and scan the system with a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite to remove all remnants. AnyDesk should be downloaded from its official website only.
| Name | AnyDesk malware |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
At time of research, AnyDesk is bundled together with a number of other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), including Powzip, Smart Application Controller, One System Care, View, and mail.ru. Unlike AnyDesk, these potentially unwanted programs do not provide remote access to victims' computers. They deliver intrusive advertisements (adware), cause unwanted redirects (browser hijackers), and record various sensitive data (virtually all types). Note that PUPs offer 'useful functionality', and yet these programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Thus, claims to provide these functions are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
How did adware install on my computer?
As mentioned above, AnyDesk is distributed using a deceptive marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps. In most cases, 'bundled' applications are hidden within 'Custom/Advanced' options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Developers do not disclose this information properly. Furthermore, users are likely to rush when downloading/installing software and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Poor knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Select 'Custom/Advanced' settings, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Software should be downloaded from official sources only via direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers are monetized using the 'bundling' method, and thus these tools should never be used. Be aware that cyber criminals also proliferate PUPs using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install PUPs. Most of these ads will seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, they redirect to adult dating, pornography, gambling, and other rogue sites. These ads are often delivered by adware. Therefore, if you experience suspicious redirects, eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Having a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware software installed and running is also paramount. If your computer is already infected with AnyDesk, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Deceptive installer distributing modified AnyDesk version (note that it is completely concealed and, therefore, opting-out is impossible):
Instant automatic malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD MalwarebytesBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- STEP 1. Uninstall AnyDesk using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
AnyDesk removal:
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Mac OSX users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for 'AnyDeskApp' and other potentially unwanted programs, select these entries and click 'Uninstall' or 'Remove'.
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes AnyDesk redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Malwarebytes checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the 'gear' icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select 'Manage Add-ons'. Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click 'Remove'.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the anydesk malware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select 'More tools' and click 'Extensions'. Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the anydesk malware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select 'Add-ons'. Click 'Extensions', in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with anydesk malware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select 'Extensions'. Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click 'Remove' below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the anydesk malware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Anydesk Down Detector Review
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free. software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Free Down Anydesk
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove anydesk malware from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
Anydesk Down Detector Reviews
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on anydesk malware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.