How to uninstall apps that promote vprx.xyz

What is vprx.xyz?

vprx.xyz is the address of a fake search engine. Typically, fake search engines are promoted through various potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), mostly browser hijackers. Research shows that vprx.xyz is promoted through a browser hijacker called SApp+, however, it might also be promoted through other apps of this type.

Generally, browser hijackers promote fake search engine addresses/URLs by changing browser settings. Furthermore, applications of this type are often designed to gather information. In most cases, PUAs are downloaded and installed unintentionally.

Generally, browser hijackers promote fake search engine URLs by modifying the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. Users who have apps of this type installed on the browser or operating system are forced to visit the address of a fake search engine when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Research shows that SApp+ does not changes the aforementioned settings, however, even if does not make any changes to browser settings, it still detects when people enter search queries, and then loads vprx.xyz. Note that vprx.xyz is opened through searchmes.xyz, another suspicious address.

To stop vprx.xyz (and searchmes.xyz) from being opened by the browser on certain occasions, you must uninstall SApp+ or other PUAs responsible for the redirects to these addresses.

These apps also collect various details - browser hijackers gather browsing data such as entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, IP addresses, and other browsing-related information, however, they might also record personal information.

Designers of browser hijackers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

In doing so, they put users at risk of problems relating to browsing safety and privacy, and it is possible that gathered data might be used to steal identities. Therefore, it is not safe to have apps such as SApp+ or other PUAs installed on you system.

Threat Summary:

Name	vprx.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Detection Names	Fortinet (Malware), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	192.99.54.145
Browser Extension(s)	SApp+ (could also be other browser hijackers).
Supposed Functionality	Browser hijackers supposedly improve the browsing experience and deliver various features.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Symptoms	Manipulated internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Some examples of other browser hijackers are Get Forms Plus, Local Classified Ads and Hide My History.

PUAs are often advertised as useful tools that supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, and provide other value, however, they simply promote fake search engines and gather information to allow the developers to generate revenue. Apps of this type should never be downloaded or installed.

How did vprx.xyz install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other (usually free) software. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Typically, developers include PUAs into set-ups as additional offers that can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings.

People who download and install software without checking and changing these settings often inadvertently agree by default with offers to download or install additionally-included apps. Unwanted downloads and installations can also be caused by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

Research shows that this particular PUA (SApp+) is distributed through a fake installer of browser updates, which is promoted on a deceptive page.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download or install software from unofficial websites, through Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, installers or other channels of this kind - they are often used to distribute potentially unwanted or even malicious apps.

The safest way to download files and programs is using official websites and direct links. Check download and installation set-ups and dismiss offers to download or install unwanted (additionally-included) software.

Advertisements that are displayed on dubious, unofficial websites should not be trusted or clicked - they often open untrusted websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unknown or suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons already installed on the browser.

Also remove software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Deceptive website offers to update Mozilla Firefox with a fake Firefox installer (updater) that installs SApp+:

Another website which is designed to promote SApp+:

SApp+ asks permission to access and store various data (on Mozilla Firefox):

SApp+ asks permission to read and change data (on Google Chrome):

Hijacked browser opens srchpx.xyz through searchmes.xyz (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is vprx.xyz?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove vprx.xyz redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove vprx.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove vprx.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove vprx.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

vprx.xyz redirect 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 any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the vprx.xyz website, e.g., "SApp+", scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

vprx.xyz redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 extensions (like "SApp+"), select those entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://vprx.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "SApp+" and/or other PUAs.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the vprx.xyz browser hijacker, 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 (like "SApp+" or "Smash App+") and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable installed PUA (like "SApp+"/"Smash App+"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.vprx.xyz) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "vprx.xyz", and when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the vprx.xyz browser hijacker, 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" and remove all recently installed browser plug-ins (such as "SApp+", or any other PUA).

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "SApp+" (or other PUA), remove hxxp://vprx.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "vprx.xyz"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with vprx.xyz browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the vprx.xyz browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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