ZapMeta is a browser hijacker that delivers altered results ad redirects its victims to sponsored websites
ZapMeta is a highly questionable search engine which is compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, IE, and other web browsers. This search provider belongs to Visymo Universal Search Group and looks like a very trustworthy page. However, you can find http://www.zapmeta.com/ instead of your homepage and the default search engine after installing other applications on your computer because of bundling.[1] If this redirect virus enters the system, it starts collecting NPII and starts showing various pop-ups according to victim's search habits.
| Name | ZapMeta |
|---|---|
| Classification | Browser hijacker, PUP |
| Developer | Visymo Universal Search Group |
| Danger level | Low. Does not initiate malicious activities, but can redirect web browser to potentially dangerous websites and display intrusive ads |
| Browsers affected | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, IE, Safari, Opera, etc. |
| Distribution | Bundling |
| System's scan with FortectIntego is the easiest way to get rid of ZapMeta | |
This potentially unwanted program is promoted as a metadata search engine, which filters search results provided by Yahoo, Microsoft Bing, YouTube, Wikipedia, Entireweb, and other search engines and displays the most optimal results. However, before falling for it, consider the fact that its previous users refer to it as ZapMeta virus.
In fact, this search belongs to the group of browser hijackers,[2] while AV engines detect it as PUP. Cybersecurity experts agree upon such classification because it spreads via freeware and corrupts web browser's settings without requiring user's approval properly.
In case you start page, and other browser's parameters have already been changed, and you do not appreciate that you can download FortectIntego, run a scan with it, and initiate ZapMeta removal.
Despite the fact that this unwanted application is not malicious, it increases system's vulnerability and can foster malware infiltration. As pointed out by Visymo, the search might include links to third-party websites, but the company rejects responsibility for their content:
These sites can send there own cookies to users, collect data or ask for private information. Above all VISYMO wants to make it clear that it cannot guarantee anything about the way these websites deal with the privacy of there visitors.
Apart from misleading ZapMeta.com redirects, the tool might also use tracking cookies and web beacons for the analysis of user's browsing preferences. The company might seek for search queries, websites visited, bookmarks, clicks, and similar browsing-related data, though IP address, name, and email address might also be collected.
The PUP accumulates information and later transmits it to remote servers so that marketing specialists could prepare personalized ads. Thus, the longer you keep browser hijacker installed, the more ads may show up while you browse. Beware that the destination websites of the ads delivered by ZapMeta.com are unknown. By clicking on them, you risk being exposed to misleading online surveys, software download websites or even phishing sites.
To prevent unwanted consequences, remove ZapMeta from the system. Although this can be done manually (instructions below), we recommend using a reputable anti-malware tool because PUPs tend to install Browser Helper Objects and other PUPs. After the removal procedure is finished, navigate to the settings of the affected web browser and reset it.
Browser hijacker distribution peculiarities
Although third-party search sites are not malicious, they seek to generate profit from affiliate marketing. That's why they are often distributed bundled with freeware and shareware as “optional downloads.” This way, PC users agree to install them unintentionally and allow third-parties to drive visitors' traffic to their websites by injecting links into search results.
Bundling software distribution technique is not illegal. That's why various parties can freely use it. The main reason why people keep falling into the trap of bundling is an indirect disclosure of optional components.
If people choose Quick or Recommended installation, software bundle is unpacked, meaning that the whole package is installed by default. BedyNet.ru[3] security experts claim that the only way to extract and reject suspicious add-ons or extensions is to opt for Advanced or Custom installation option and remove check marks next to statements like “By clicking Next I agree to install ZapMeta search.”
Get rid of ZapMeta.com to stop misleading browser's redirects
ZapMeta removal is not a complicated procedure because this search engine is rather a potentially unwanted program than a virus. However, you should perform this task profoundly, so that all PUPs and related components are successfully wiped out from your computer. You can know that this process wasn't successful after finding this virus on your browser again after rebooting the system.
The easiest way to remove ZapMeta virus is to run an in-depth system's scan with a professional anti-malware program. All apps that can be helpful with this task are provided below. Nevertheless, those who prefer manual PUP elimination can rely on the guidelines that were designed by our team.
IMPORTANT: do not forget to reset web browser's settings once you uninstall ZapMeta. Otherwise, you won't be able to set the preferred search site and startup page.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment