Clipgrab virus (Removal Instructions) - Free Guide
Clipgrab virus Removal Guide
What is Clipgrab virus?
Clipgrab virus is a browser hijacker that urges users to buy products or services from sponsors
Clipgrab virus is a suspicious application that is delivered to users' systems with other apps they download and install online. Unfortunately, users are often unaware that they agreed to establish dubious programs, as they do not select Advanced settings during freeware or shareware installation. There are two versions of the Clipgrab virus. The first one is designed to download videos from YouTube or other popular site and convert them into a desirable format, such as MP3 or MPEG4. Another version was introduced much later and is distributed as a toolbar for Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and other browsers. Clipgrab virus is designed as a PUP[1] and a browser hijacker which modifies startup page, search engine and delivers sponsored content to users in order to monetize on compromised browsing sessions.
| Name | Clipgrab virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Related | Clipgrab toolbar |
| Symptoms | Changes web browser settings and displays ads, cause redirects |
| Dangers | Can collect data, attract malware |
| Distribution | Software bundling |
| Elimination | FortectIntego is a tool for Clipgrab virus removal |
Some users might find Clipgrab virus useful, as it lets them to download and convert YouTube or other videos into audio formats. This allows people to take the music with them using an MP3 player, a phone, a tablet, or similar portable device. Thus, users might be interested in such functionality.
Unfortunately, it does not come for free, as users are spammed with sponsored content non-stop. Even a simple “Upload” click can lead to a questionable website which hosts malware. Therefore, Clipgrab virus is a bad addition to the list of the installed software on your PC. Instead, hurry up with Clipgrab virus removal.
To be able to execute its suspicious activities, Clipgrab virus modifies web browser's settings. Therefore, users are forced to browse via a hijacked engine. Soon after that, victims can notice the following symptoms:
- Homepage and new tab settings changed;
- Search engine is converted to a sponsored one;
- Search results display numerous sponsored links at the top;
- Intrusive ads appear on the screen from nowhere;
- In-text links or other forms or ads lead to affiliated websites.
Also, you should not forget the data tracking feature that Clipgrab virus uses. This means that the information about the web browsing habits is collected and scrutinized. Since a Clipgrab virus is a hijacker sponsored by advertisers, this information is used to create more personalized commercial content.
You should remove Clipgrab virus if you find this activity on your browser and know that it is related to this unwanted program. For that, you can use our manual instructions below or rely on automatic Clipgrab virus removal method – use FortectIntego.
The second version of the browser hijacker spreads as a toolbar for Google Chrome or other browsers
The second variant of the ClipGrab virus is presented as a browser toolbar and comes bundled with Conduit Engine which installs other unwanted programs. Soon after infiltration, a toolbar is added to each of the installed browsers. Additionally, the questionable app makes several changes within the computer system:
- Adds exception to Windows Firewall
- Adds a task to Windows Task Scheduler
Both of these modifications are done in order to perform suspicious activities of the ClipGrab virus without any interruptions.
The toolbar uses Nokia Qt cross-platform C++ framework, installs a total of 33 files into the Program Files folder, the main executable being tbClip.dll. As soon as the ClipGrab virus is introduced, it runs a Clipgrab.exe process in the Task Manager.
Even though you might be interested in the additional functionality of the toolbar, beware that numerous AV engines recognize it as malicious and will remove ClipGrab virus as soon as it enters the machine. Unfortunately, not all anti-virus platforms detect it.
To make sure that Clipgrab virus removal is executed correctly, use anti-malware software like FortectIntego. Full system scan is crucial for detecting all possible threats on your device.
Software bundling is used for virus spreading
Freeware is often bundled with unwanted programs because virus developers and software providers use the advantage of this marketing technique. If you use P2P networks[2] as the primary source for your downloads, you are automatically at higher risk of unwanted programs infiltration.
During software installation, bundled applications can be unpacked if you chose Advanced/Custom options. Once all the optional installs are shown, you will see that they are checked and marked for a default installation. Remove those tick marks to get rid of unwanted components and only then proceed with the installation. If you rush through this process and click Default/Quick option, you will skip the step which allows you to get rid of dubious apps. Therefore, you should be cautious when installing freeware.
Clipgrab virus termination is vital for normal computer operation
To remove Clipgrab virus quickly, you should use anti-malware software. Simply choose one of the below-mentioned programs, install it, bring it up to date, and perform a full system scan. These programs are capable of detecting all threats so that you can delete them all at once, including a Clipgrab virus.
Clipgrab virus removal might take much longer if you select manual elimination method. Nevertheless, if this method suits you better and you are a genuinely computer-savvy individual, you should follow our instructions below. After the threat is eliminated, you will have to reset each of the installed browsers individually. Security researchers[3] advise using automatic elimination in case the guide below seems too complicated.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Clipgrab virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Remove Clipgrab virus from your Windows:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Clipgrab virus removal can be done on Firefox, following these steps:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Clean your 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Clipgrab registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting stealing programs
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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- ^ Chris Hoffman. PUPs Explained: What is a “Potentially Unwanted Program”?. Howtogeek. Technology magazine.
- ^ Peer-to-peer network. Techopedia. IT education site.
- ^ Viruss. Viruss. Spyware experts.