GreatZip Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GreatZip?
According to the developers, the GreatZip application allows users to effectively compress files and create password-protected archives.
Initially, GreatZip may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app often infiltrates systems without permission. Furthermore, it displays intrusive advertisements and gathers sensitive information. For these reasons, GreatZip is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware.
GreatZip delivers intrusive ads (coupons, banners, pop-ups, etc.) using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any website. Therefore, they often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
In addition, they might redirect to infectious websites and run scripts that download and install other PUAs (or even high-risk malware). Clicking them is risky and can lead to computer infections. As with most adware, GreatZip also gathers information relating to browsing activity.
Collected information might contain personal details that are shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and misused to generate revenue Therefore, having an information-tracking app such as GreatZip installed might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate this adware immediately.
| Name | Ads by GreatZip |
| 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 that share similarities with GreatZip including, for instance, vSnapShot, NetMeterX, CoolioFunGames, and PPS Video Player. As with GreatZip, these applications also offer "useful functions", however, most adware is useless.
These applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, adware-type applications deliver intrusive ads and gather information, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and browsing safety.
How did GreatZip install on my computer?
GreatZip has an official download website, however, as mentioned above, this app often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps.
Developers are not honest enough to disclose installation of unwanted applications properly and hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users often click various advertisements and skip download/installation steps - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue 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. Intrusive ads usually seem legitimate, but most redirect to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. If you see these ads, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and deselect additionally-included apps. We recommend that you avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since these are often monetized using third party downloaders/installers. Apps should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.
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 GreatZip, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Official installer of GreatZip adware (at time of research, this setup also proliferated other unwanted apps, such as WebDiscover):
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 GreatZip?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GreatZip application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GreatZip adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove GreatZip ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by GreatZip' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove GreatZip extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GreatZip 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 "GreatZip", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes GreatZip ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove GreatZip adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, GreatZip 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 greatzip, 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 greatzip, 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 greatzip 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 greatzip, 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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