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

How to remove vSnapShot

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

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

vSnapShot – the ad-supported application that forces to visit suspicious websites

Image of vSnapShot adware

vSnapShot is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) which spreads in software bundles. This distribution method allows it to enter the system unnoticed. Once inside, it starts acting like adware[1] program: it displays ads, pop-ups, and redirects to various websites. Additionally, it is capable of tracking browsing-related information.

When PUP is dropped on the system, it usually creates VSnapshot/vSnapshotServ.exe process which is actually responsible for delivery of commercial content. However, deleting this executable might not be enough to stop unwanted activities. Adware typically contains a couple of files or programs.

vSnapShot virus is designed to profit developers from pay-per-click advertising and to boost traffic to affiliate websites. It means that when users click on ads or forcedly visit sponsored websites, authors of PUP get a specific amount of money. However, this activity might be extremely dangerous for the users.

vSnapShot redirect virus might trick or force users into visiting harmful websites. The adware might be used to promote misleading or malicious content. Therefore, clicks on ads or browsing through insecure websites might lead to malware attack, privacy-related issues, and similar problems.

However, the problem with vSnapShot is that adware can display legitimate-looking ads that can actually be malicious. This might happen because of the hijacker’s ability to collect and analyze information about the user. The ad-supported application usually collects non-personally identifiable information, such as:

  • IP address,
  • location,
  • browsing history,
  • clicked ads,
  • search queries,
  • technical information about the browser or operating system,
  • etc.

This information allows building user profile and displaying personalized ads. Therefore, you might get easily tricked by misleading vSnapShot ads. However, once you notice an increased amount of pop-ups, in-text, banners, and similar ads, you should check the system for adware program.

You should consider scanning the system with FortectIntego and remove vSnapShot with the help of it. This program not only cleans your PC but fixes the damage caused by adware. However, you can use any other updated security tools to get rid of ad-supported application.

Additionally, if you feel skilled enough, you can opt for manual vSnapShot removal. The guidelines below will help you to locate and terminate the PUP together with all related components. However, specialists from usunwirusa.pl[2] warn that this task is tricky and it’s better to rely on security software.

Picture of vSnapShot virus

Adware sneaks into the system when you download free software

Freeware[3] and shareware are the main tools that help adware to spread and get into the system unnoticed. The PUP is typically attached as an optional component to the primary program and gets installed when users install a free program using Quick/Recommended which do not reveal about third-party apps spreading in the same package.

However, users can (and should) always choose Advanced/Custom settings to “unpack” the software bundle and make sure that any unwanted apps are not getting installed. Stopping their infiltration is simple. You just need to remove the ticks from the checkboxes.

Delete vSnapShot adware and stop its activities

vSnapShot removal is needed to stop redirects to suspicious websites, get rid of unwanted ads and annoying pop-ups. The adware may have arrived on the system of the browser add-on or program, so you have to investigate the system and remove these entries.

If you want to remove vSnapShot manually, please follow the guide at the end of the article. However, we highly advice using anti-malware software to speed up this procedure. After the system scan with reputable software, you just need to reset the browser.

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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