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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Feb 2019

How to remove StrongVault Online Backup

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

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

StrongVault Online Backup – a suspicious program which might install other PUPs together

StrongVault Online Backup virus

StrongVault Online Backup is an online backup program, which has been included in our database for several suspicious things. Officially, it is presented as a valuable tool that can help people locate and secure their important files. However, before installing it, you should also keep in mind that this application may start initiating several problems on your PC. Users have been complaining that this rogue application tries to install on the computer via Norton Utilities 15 and the installation process is hard to cancel.[1] The biggest issues, which are related to this application, are the advertising activity which might show up once keeping this software on your PC, the data collecting from your browsing history, also web browser hijacking and even redirecting to questionable-looking websites or other content. 

Name StrongVault Online Backup
Type Potentially unwanted program
Danger level Low. Does not harm the computer system and its components
Brought PUPs This rogue app can bring also Webcake adware, Babylon browser hijacker, and Optimizer Pro with itself
Tries to install via Users have complained that this PUP tries to install thru Norton Utilities 15
Spreading sources Other programs, unsafe links, ads, websites
Detection software FortectIntego
Removal Delete the app by using our step-by-step guide or with computer tools

According to cybersecurity experts, StrongVault Online Backup virus brings some potentially unwanted content together with it during the installation process. These components are:

  1. Webcake adware.
  2. Babylon browser hijacker.
  3. Optimizer Pro fake system tool.

As you can see, StrongVault Online Backup might not be the worst part itself as it might bring other suspicious programs to the system which are also capable of performing a big variety of unpleasant activities (advertising, redirecting, browser hijacking, etc.). If you know that you have never downloaded this application on your PC manually, you should waste no time and remove it from the system.

Another important reason to remove StrongVault Online Backup virus is that this program also acts like an adware application. It can make several changes in web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. You might experience dubious modifications in the homepage and new tab URL section. Additionally, adware programs[2] are capable of adding rogue extensions to the infected browsers.

Furthermore, StrongVault Online Backup can also start providing rogue pop-up notifications which might intrude your browsing work. If you do not get rid of the cyber threat on time, advertisements will keep on showing up even more frequently and start causing browser slowdowns or crashes. If such thing happens, you will not be able to browse properly anymore until you terminate the potentially unwanted program from your web browsers and computer system. 

For the StrongVault Online Backup removal, you have two options – you can use either the manual or automatic removal method. Please, be very careful after deciding to use a guide that is given below because each of these steps should be performed in the right order! If you would decide to opt for the automatic removal option, note that you need to perform a full system scan at first. For this purpose, try FortectIntego.

StrongVault Online Backup suspicious program

Suspicious apps appearing on a computer is not an uncommon thing

Potentially unwanted programs can be downloaded from various websites that are involved in their distribution. However, there are thousands of PC users who claim that they found rogue programs on their machines without downloading them there. That's because potentially unwanted apps such as adware, browser hijackers, and other, can be downloaded not only voluntarily. They can also enter your machine in a bundle with other programs as a free addition of them.

In order to avoid this, you should select only Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware because these installation methods help people to see what components have been added to freeware and shareware.[3] If you are likely to, you are given the possibility to stop any incoming downloading process that you do not want to perform anymore. However, according to Virusai.lt experts,[4] there are also other ways in which the PUP appears on the computer.

For example, potentially unwanted applications might reach a system thru third-party websites. Developers often infect suspicious content in unprotected hyperlinks and advertisements. Once a user clicks on such content, he/she launches the adware/browser hijacker installation process. We recommend all users staying away from unknown web pages as you cannot know where a sneaky suspicious program might be hidden.

Remove StrongVault Online Backup virus from infected browser apps and the PC

If you are wondering how to get rid of the annoying software that has installed on your computer system lately, we can inform you that the elimination process can be done in a couple of ways. You can remove StrongVault Online Backup virus by yourself if you think that you are well-skilled enough to complete the elimination without any help.

Just remember, if you opt for the manual technique for the StrongVault Online Backup removal, you will need to carry out ALL actions on your own. The most important thing is to clean all infected web browsers from adware-related content such as browser extensions, plug-ins, etc. Also, do not forget to check your computer system for adware signs too!

However, if you think that removing StrongVault Online Backup on your own seems a little bit difficult to you, you can also rely on reputable and expert-tested anti-malware programs. These tools will scan your system for cyber threats, detect all suspicious content, show results, and make sure that you get rid of the PUP safely and without any struggles.

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

Did this guide help?

1 comment

  1. GG

    Hi,
    This program was running but when I go to look for it I cant find it anywhere??? Add and remove, Chrome, IE and all of them. Really weird

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