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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jan 2020

How to remove VLC Addon

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Linas Kiguolis · Expert in social media

VLC Addon – an ad-supported browser extension that reroutes online traffic and tricks users into installing other plugins

VLC AddonVLC Addon is the potentially unwanted program associated with shady advertising services and considered to be intrusive due to deceptive redirects and pop-up advertisements that fill up the screen. This is not a program related to the legitimate VLC media player, even though it uses the name of the well-known software, especially when this add on gets installed without users' consent. The program may be unnoticeable at first, but the material that shows up on the screen is marked with Ads by VLC Addon, VLC Addon Ads, or Brought by VLC Addon on every promotional pop-up or banner.

This intrusive program gets the name of the VLC Addon virus because of the content delivered out of nowhere and the shady purposes of all redirects triggered by one mouse click. In addition, these ads are targeted and personalized because ad-tracking functionalities allow commercial content creators, third-party companies to access data needed for generating these annoying pop-ups and banners. Such content keeps the user from normally browsing the net and affects the speed significantly.

Name VLC Addon
Type Browser plugin/ Adware 
Main danger Leads to the installation of additional in-browser applications and system programs, expose users to malicious content and tracks various information about browsing habits and personal details
Symptoms Overrides the browser settings, disables other addons, affects system performance, and speed. Makes the device running slow and brings other commercial content to the screen, so the victim gets exposed to dangerous content or even cyber threats
Distribution The intruder gets bundled with shady media players, random freeware and gets installed by triggering the download on deceptive commercial sites
Elimination VLC Addon removal should be quick if you go through the proper process. Using professional anti-malware tool allows you to check the system fully and eliminate all potential intruders
Optimization The system gets affected by all the background processes and shady installations, so you should get the device to the previous state by relying on a PC repair tool or a system cleaner like FortectIntego that may find and repair corrupted files or settings in registry or startup folders

VLC Addon is the rogue extension that exploits the name of a reliable media player and affects reviews of the software online with its own intrusive behavior and shady adware-type intruder symptoms. Due to this familiar name, internet users tend to install the suspicious plug-in on their browsers when promotional ads push it to them on other deceptive sites.

However, no matter how useful the program seems on advertisements, VLC Addon adware has nothing valuable. This application is created to generate intrusive ads and track users' browsing activity, other data related to online preferences. This is a silent tool used to improve advertising campaigns because such information is needed for personalized commercial material.[1]

VLC Addon and third-party companies can record details about you, and this behavior leads to privacy issues, or even identity theft when such data includes personal details or identifiable information. Since the program is distributed via many advertising networks and redirects, those websites can access any visitor's data, and trigger traffic reroutes to associated services, so all the views get monetized and make pay-per-click revenue for the publishers.[2]

Even though content that promotes this adware claims about media player functions and the feature that allows playing media files instantly on the web browser, you need to remove VLC Addon as soon as it is noticed running on the machine. There is no reason to keep it since it is not useful or crucial to your device.

However, since this is the browser plugin, not a system program uninstalling VLC Addon from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any other browsers is not enough. There is a potentially unwanted program that you need to terminate to delete the addon and forget about intrusive symptoms. VLC web pluginVLC Addon removal gets difficult because, in most cases, this intruder gets installed by the user when the fake message requiring to enable needed media software appears on the browser. This is how deceptive sites and advertisements get used for spreading PUPs around the web. 

VLC Addon and other plugins get loaded on the browser and may alter particular settings like:

  • homepage;
  • default new tab preferences;
  • default search engine;
  • startup settings.

Additionally, VLC Addon makes changes in system settings. Windows registry receives entries related to the shady processes of redirecting, or some system functions get disabled to ensure that adware is running uninterrupted. However, you can reverse some settings on web browsers yourself, but it is risky to alter these system parts manually.

This is why many researchers[3] recommend going for PC optimization tools for help. Cleaners or repair tools like FortectIntego might find issues regarding damaged or corrupted files and repair the damage left by VLC Addon adware or any related PUP. You should run an additional system scan after the virus termination with powerful AV software. VLC Addon adware

Rogue websites promote shady applications and browser-based threats 

This is a program similar to any other adware-type intruder or a potentially unwanted program because it installs on the targeted machine when the user browses the internet pages containing either fake downloads or software bundles in setups and installers. Many deceptive pages and dubious networks rely on such techniques because it allows distributing needed products all over the web quickly.

Sites that appear as redirects triggered by the adware exposes users to scammy messages and promotes software by claiming about useful features and functions. However, cryptocurrency mining sites, freeware download pages, and online gaming networks have more risks and malicious relations than you think. 

The best tip for the future is to pay enough attention to sites you visit, end up on unwillingly and sources that you use for getting programs, especially anti-malware or security tools. Choosing Advanced or Custom options during every installation can make a huge difference, so make it a habit of yours.

Make sure to check all the web browsers to eliminate any annoying VLC Addon virus symptoms

The shady application gets named VLC Addon virus for many annoying features and content that is marked with the name of this browser plugin. Users complain about the persistence of the PUP because all the additional installs and files planted in various places of the machine can cause difficulties in such processes as adware elimination.

We always recommend to choose proper tools and go for automatic VLC Addon removal because the full system scan is the way to go when the cyber threat tends to go all over the system with its content. Anti-malware tools have different versions for various devices, so rely on the provider that offers software for the OS you are using.

If you think that you can remove VLC Addon by yourself, make sure to have a plan on how to take care of all the additional installations caused behind your back. This is the only way to completely eliminate the potentially unwanted program and forget about malicious programs and shady redirects. You should at least rely on guides below that shows how to reset web browsers to default.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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