Zoom Downloader - Jan 2021 update
Zoom Downloader Removal Guide
What is Zoom Downloader?
Zoom Downloader – a download manager with adware properties
Zoom Downloader is a potentially unwanted application that may cause several problems for its users. While on most occasions you can download it manually from the Internet as a download accelerator, it may also infiltrate your computer without appropriate permission asked. In this case, it simply enters the system in a bundle with freeware and shareware.
Once installed, the app might begin to monitor your web browsing activities for marketing purposes and later share this data with third-parties. Besides, it can also start to display pop-ups, deals, offers, coupons, and other ads during your web browsing sessions.
| Name | Zoom Downloader |
| Type | Adware, potentially unwanted program |
| Alleged purpose | Download speed acceleration, download managing |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive websites, fake update prompts |
| Risks | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, personal information disclosure, monetary losses |
| Removal | You can uninstall adware as per our instructions below, although employing security software could do the job automatically |
| System fix | Malware or adware can cause serious stability and performance issues. Use FortectIntego to remediate your device and ensure that the virus damage is fixed |
Since the PUP usually enters the machine without asking accordingly, you must start monitoring the installation of the freeware and never use the following options when prompted:
- Basic;
- Quick;
- Recommended.
Additionally, employing security software such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner might be used to warn you about the incoming threats and also might aid you with Zoom Downloader removal.
When inside the system, the app may start its activity by altering some of the computer's settings. For example:
It may drop its own browser add-on on each of your web browsers;
it may change your start page or default search engine;
it may start slowing each of your web browsers, etc.
This is done for getting the ability to show continuous pop-up ads. If “ads by Zoom Downloader,” “Zoom Downloader ads,” “brought to you by Zoom Downloader,” and similar notifications have started interrupting you, you should waste no time and scan your computer with the reputable anti-spyware because it's one of the clearest signs showing that your computer has already been hijacked.
Unfortunately, it's not the end. It seems that the Zoom Downloader virus may also try to monitor people's browsing habits and may initiate unwanted redirects to affiliate websites. In most of the cases, it collects data, which is related to the following:
- search terms;
- mostly visited websites;
- search queries;
- IP address;
- Technical device data, etc.
If you want to stop such unwanted activity and protect your non-personally identifiable information, you should remove Zoom Downloader from your computer. We also highly recommend using FortectIntego, which could find all the unwanted components and ensure that your computer is running just as well as it did prior to the infection.
Adware authors use sneaky techniques for distribution
Zoom Downloader can be downloaded from its official website as harmless software that adds extra features to downloads such as pause, resume, and similar. However, there are many PC users who claim that they haven't downloaded this program to their PCs manually. If you are one of these people, you should know that many programs are distributed in a bundle with freeware and shareware.
In order to avoid Zoom Downloader redirects to affiliate websites, annoying ads, and other unwanted activities, you should try to avoid its infiltration. For that, you should start monitoring the installation of every freeware. Please, choose only the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation method when downloading programs to your computer.
Be sure that you read every sentence, which is given during their installation, and uncheck every unknown statement, such as:
“Make XXX my start page,” “Make XXX my default search engine,” etc.
If you have already downloaded this program to your computer, and now you are trying to get rid of the infection, you should not delay and check the next section of this article.
Zoom Downloader removal instructions
If you want to remove Zoom Downloader and related adware/browser hijackers, you can follow the manual instructions we provide below. Keep in mind that this potentially unwanted program might initiate changes on your web browsers, so it is important to clean them well – eliminate unwanted extensions, clear cookies, and other web data. Otherwise, unwanted activity might return.
An easy Zoom Downloader removal can also be achieved using a powerful anti-malware tool with PUP detection feature enabled. Security software can also check your system for other unwanted and malicious programs, as well as protect you from intrusions in the future.
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 Zoom Downloader. Follow these steps
Uninstall from 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)
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
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 Zoom Downloader 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 adware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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