vSnapShot Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is vSnapShot?
vSnapShot is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to take screenshots. Its appearance suggests that vSnapShot is legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted application (PUA), since it infiltrates systems without permission and delivers intrusive advertisements.
After successful infiltration, vSnapShot delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar advertisements. These might redirect to malicious websites, and execute scripts that download and install other unwanted apps or even high-risk malware. Even a single accidental click might result in high-risk computer infections.
Intrusive ads are delivered using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. They often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Most adware is also designed to record information relating to browsing activity.
Collected data usually includes personal details that are shared with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) and misused to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly advise you to uninstall vSnapShot adware immediately.
| Name | Ads by vSnapShot |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of adware-type applications similar to vSnapShot - NewDotNet, NetMeterX, BigGamez, and Torrent Extension are just some examples from a long list.
By offering "useful features", these applications attempt to give the impression of legitimacy and often convince users to install, however, adware-type applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than giving any real value for regular users, they deliver intrusive ads and gather sensitive information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing threat to your privacy and internet browsing safety.
How did vSnapShot install on my computer?
As mentioned above, vSnapShot often infiltrates systems without users’ permission, since developers proliferate it using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.
Developers are not honest enough to adequately disclose installation of "bundled" software. Therefore, they hide these apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures.
Furthermore, many users often click advertisements, rush download/installation processes, and skip steps - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of additionally-included programs. You are strongly advised to download software from official sources only, using direct download links.
Third party download/installation tools are monetized via the "bundling" method, and thus these tools should not be used. Furthermore, remember that developers invest time and money into intrusive ad design, thereby making them seem legitimate. Once clicked, however, they redirect to untrustworthy websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on.
As mentioned, they are delivered by adware-type apps such as vSnapShot. Therefore, if you experience suspicious redirects, check the list of installed applications browser/plug-ins and eliminate any suspicious entries. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior.
The key to safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with vSnapShot, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Official vSnapShot adware installation setup:
Screenshot of vSnapShot adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is vSnapShot?
- STEP 1. Uninstall vSnapShot application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove vSnapShot adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove vSnapShot ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by vSnapShot' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove vSnapShot extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
vSnapShot adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "vSnapShot", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes vSnapShot ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove vSnapShot adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, vSnapShot did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by vsnapshot, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by vsnapshot, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by vsnapshot removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by vsnapshot, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Outstanding!
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