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.
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.

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