Remove Vigua.A virus (Removal Instructions)

Vigua.A virus – an intrusive adware infection that users struggle to get rid of

Vigua.A virus

Vigua.A virus, otherwise known as PUA:Win32/Vigua.A, is a detection name used by Windows Defender security software to flag potentially unwanted programs. These apps typically travel within software bundles or fake Flash Player update prompts, which results in unintentional installation from users' point of view.

Once inside the system, Vigua.A virus might perform a variety of system and browser modifications. For example, the homepage and new tab address might be changed to something else, and all the searchers might be redirected to Yahoo. Adware is typically compiled in a way that allows it to engage in intrusive ad campaigns. Hence, the infected users are accustomed to popups, deals, offers, in-text links, auto-play, and similar advertisements that can greatly diminish the web browsing experience. In the background, Win32/Vigua.A might also track user information, which sometimes may include personal details.

Name	Vigua.A virus, PUA:Win32/Vigua.A
Type	Potentially unwanted application, adware
Danger level	Medium. It can infect any systems and populate advertisements on all the web browsers and track user data; it can also use persistence mechanisms that prevent easy elimination
Distribution	Software bundle packages, fake updates, misleading advertisements, software cracks
Symptoms	Unexpected changes to the web browser's homepage and new tab address; intrusive advertisements; slow web browser; PUA:Win32/Vigua.A popup shows up despite the security software claiming it's been deleted
Removal	To eliminate the infection, simply allow Windows Defender to move it to quarantine; in case the detection returns, perform scans with alternative security programs (SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, for example)
Further steps	In case the detection does not go away, and you are spammed by your security software, it might be a browser or Google account syncing problem. In such a case, reset your web browser and sync, and later perform a scan with Fortect Intego for best results

Potentially unwanted programs are distributed in a way that typically results in an unintentional installation. The most commonly used method is software bundling, where several applications are compiled into a single installer and optional ones are deliberately hidden from careless users' sight. Thus, to avoid future encounters and Vigua.A virus removal problems, you should install applications carefully and never install programs offered via fake Flash Player installers.^[1]

Adware programs such as Vigua.A virus are designed to perform background activities in order to monetize users' clicks. For the purpose, authors of a potentially unwanted program employ a variety of methods that would allow for a maximum monetization:

Distribute apps in various deceptive ways;
Change web browser's homepage and new tab to some other URL;
Redirect all searches to Yahoo or a dubious provider;
Insert sponsored links into search results;
Display intrusive ads on all visited websites;
Redirect to malicious domains;
Track users' browsing data to sell it to third-parties.

Unfortunately, these are just a few traits that adware might possess. Some PUPs can be much more dangerous – they might set the “Managed by your organization” feature in order to prevent users from easy app termination. Others might straight out steal sensitive information such as banking details – Adload adware family does precisely that wit the help of extensions such as ExploreParameter, OperativeFraction, SectionBrowser, and many others.

To make matters more clear, PUA:Win32/Vigua.A is a heuristic detection, which indicates that it is not the name of the virus itself but rather a detection name given to apps the expose certain malicious behavior. Thus, there could be many different PUPs under the mantle of this name.

Usually, when an anti-malware detects something, it delivers the detection to quarantine, later to be removed automatically. Unfortunately, users who reported Vigua.A virus popups claimed that they come back on a regular basis. This behavior is typical to PUPs that use various persistence mechanisms in order to stay on the system as long as possible to deliver ads to users, earning profits in the process.

PUA:Win32/Vigua.A

If you are one of such users, you should remove Vigua.A virus by scanning the device with alternative security software – experts recommend Malwarebytes Malwarebytes or SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, although other reputable tools should do the job as well. You can also look for potentially unwanted programs via the Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) and uninstall PUPs manually – we provide the instructions below.

In case scanning the machine with alternative software did not help, the issue might lie within Google account and its syncing problems. To find out more about how to reset Chrome sync, refer to the bottom section below.

Watch out for potentially unwanted programs – install software from third parties carefully

Potentially unwanted programs are typically installed behind users' backs with the help of various tricks employed by its authors or distributors. Most commonly, software bundling is used, as it is very effective – users often rush through the installation steps of new software and don't pay attention to important clues that might sometimes not be so apparent.

First of all, you should install applications from official sources if possible – this would usually eliminate PUP infiltration altogether. The unwanted apps downloaded from official sources such as browser extensions are typically very easy to eliminate and do not cause any major dangers.

Third-party sites often use bundles as one of the main ways to monetize, which means that it is in their best interest to make as many users as possible to install additional software. Unfortunately, such apps are often useless, intrusive, and even malicious. To avoid installation of PUPs, always pay close attention to the installation process:

Pick Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Quick ones;
Remove all ticks from checkboxes that offer additional programs;
Watch out for misplaced buttons and misleading offers you could encounter on the way.

Also, many PUPs can be downloaded along with pirated software installers or software cracks. As a general rule, security experts^[2] recommend staying away from such high-risk websites, as downloading software from there might result in malware infection, such as Kasp ransomware.

A method that could help you remove Vigua.A virus popups once and for all

PUA:Win32/Vigua.A removal might be a real pain to many users, as Windows Defender often fails to eliminate it completely – or at least it might seem so. Some users reported that they received the detection along with uTorrent client – this app is often used for illegal software installer downloads. Despite being legitimate, it has been recently bundled with potentially harmful software and is not recommended to use.

As previously mentioned, you can try to remove Vigua.A virus by scanning the machine with alternative security software. Unfortunately, many users claimed that, after trying other tools, the virus came back, and Windows Defender kept flagging the issue non-stop.^[3]

Vigua.A virus elimination

Vigua.A virus detection might sometimes be related to your Google account. Some synced items might remain on Google's servers, and no matter if your anti-malware removes malicious components that are placed on your system through your account, they will come back as soon as your use your browser again.

Therefore, the best solution is to reset your web browser, as well as Chrome Sync. For that, access the synced items page, and click “Reset Sync” at the bottom. Make sure you do this before you reset your browser.

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.

How to remove Vigua.A virus

Vigua.A virus – an intrusive adware infection that users struggle to get rid of

Watch out for potentially unwanted programs – install software from third parties carefully