As its name suggests and the claims on its main web page manifests, snap.do aims at achieving the provision of simple, smart web solutions and complementary applications that enables surfers to capture screen easier, share materials with contacts in social networking with single click and extend browsing experience such as by converting any webpage to PDF or listen to local radio station when surfing the Internet.
The installation of snap.do search engine is often completed by wide range of PC users through “recommended” installation manner which will certainly bring in its smartbar toolbar as well as smartbar customized web search application. In other word, default toolbar and web search, if any, will then be hijacked by snap.do.
In most cases, according to the help requirements posted in forums, snap.do mounts itself to computers and its affiliate applications are in fact slowing down the overall PC performance. A few of applications are not certainly responsible for tardy response or huge consumption of CPU unless additional items install without notification. Snap.do has further lost its reputation on account of its programs being not shown in Control Panel where ordinary/ computer-friendly programs should be located. Regardless the fascination of its promotional words, snap.do has long been recognized as a browser virus that targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and even Safari.
The main feature of a browser virus is the ultimate goal always towards money by collecting stored information. With the advanced Trojan technique, snap.do manages to bind itself to system items, like explorer.exe or svchost.exe that are not recognized by anti-virus programs as virus. Even in the case where alerts given out to those system items, security utilities are not able to rectify the issue. In such case, snap.do virus is capable of extracting information, without disturbance, both personal and financial that was once typed on the compromised machine. Reselling the information to other spammers will help generate significant profit.
To attain the goal, more items with disruptive codes will no doubt be introduced in to help snap.do survive on a machine as long as possible, leading to chaos caught both on browser and system:
To retrieve fluent surfing experience, stop extra items from installing without authorization to ruin the general user experience, and withhold the information theft, an efficacious method is in desperate need. Taking the fact that anti-virus programs cannot deal with the issue of system items being affected/ forged into consideration, manual method is the top option to remove snap.do virus. Well-equipped computer technique would ensure no deviation happening or confusion occurring. If the case is just the opposite, live chat with VilmaTech Online Support for appropriate solution to concrete situation that guarantees a complete removal.
Terminate snap.do’s running process so as to make the subsequent rectifications smoothly. However, there were chances where error message popping up to tell the intended item cannot be terminated out of various reasons. Follow the steps here to attain a smooth termination.
Windows 8
Windows 7/XP/Vista
Erase snap.do’s startup item with build-in functionality.
Windows 8
Windows 7/Vista/XP
Remove snap.do virus from IE, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera and Safari.
Internet Explorer
Empty out browse history.
Remove snap.do virus from ‘Manage Add-on’ window under Search’ section.
Remove snap.do virus from ‘Toolbars and Extensions’ and then ‘Search Providers.
If one suffers from irritating pop ups, one can go to Privacy tab to turn on ‘Popup Blocker’.
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Opera
Safari
Remove all suspicious files under C: Windows and System32 to thoroughly remove snap.do virus.
If there’s uncertainty on which are authentic svchost.exe and winlogon.exe, it is better to ask for help from VilmaTech Online Support since force deletion of the genuine one can arouse severe system failure. Be careful.
Remove snap.do virus thoroughly by modifying key values in registry editor.
Tips for Removing Registry Entries
Even though we have listed the related entry keys above, you are required to be careful with deleting process for this step refers to the important part of computer system. Registry Editor seems much strange for most of users on account of it is designed for advanced users using Microsoft Windows operating system. There are so many system and user data in Registry Editor which consists of information files. Once you delete any important keys and values, it will results in termination of relevant running programs or damage of system. Despite that you dare to try this risk operation, we recommend you to back up before you start deleting. Here is the back up:
For IE users
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
For Google Chrome users
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Update
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
For Mozilla Firefox users
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Microsoft\Mozilla\ Firefox
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Microsoft\MozillaPlugins
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
For Opera users
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Opera Software
to find and select items generated by snap.do virus and then right click on selected item to delete it.
As snap.do virus is complicated to remove completely and thoroughly, advanced protection and prevention are more essential rather than using manual method after infection. For most of the time as we have mentioned, this mucky and muddy virus is installed by “recommend” installation manner which is quick and convenient for most of users who don’t need time for think about installation path and content. Ascribed to these clicks with no hesitation, many unwanted add-ons or application are available to computer. Thus, browsing installation terms and articles are necessary. Unlike the quick installation, it will be a difficulty removing the trouble applications after clicking Next button cursorily.
Nevertheless, snap.do toolbar and its components can be bundled with third-party applications. Most of users prefer to download freeware or shareware from websites whereas there are mixing applications some of which are junk applications bundled with malicious programs. These malware are downloaded in your PC without your consent. Except that, cyber criminals grasp any opportunity to distribute malware through the free service and share platform.
Moreover, snap.do virus lurk itself in pop-ups and compromised websites containing illegal contents like pornography, drug and gambling. Open those pop-ups or webpage will direct to search.snapdo.com. Never try to click those links for curiosity.
Another drive-by download scatters virus by means of spam emails. With a title of shipping, preferential message, gift and lottery, the suspicious email is cunning to attract users to open. Even so, some users fell into the stereotyped trap of virus if they are careless. Never trust in the unknown-source and unsolicited emails.
In terms of protection, some malicious virus like snap.do can be slid over detection of antivirus programs. Users are unable to find relevant programs in Control Panel. Once you discovered suspicious programs on control panel with unfamiliar names, you’d better remove it quickly. And if you find unwanted toolbar, extensions or change of your search engine, you need to disable them and restore browser settings.
Attention:
Though there seems to be a support team supposed to solve issues about snap.do, emailing to [email protected] still cannot help handle with the removing work. The fact that snap.do manages to bring in additional baleful items, including virus, through backdoor should not be ignored. Delay in the removing work would add complexity which requires more energy and time. Still, good PC practice and reinforcement on network are called on after snap.do being removed completely and thoroughly; otherwise the virus will re-emerge. Be noted that failure might arise because of remaining fragments and missing directories affected by snap.do virus as different version of OS results in different attacking rule. However, VilmaTech Research Lab has proved the above given steps are applicable to vast majority of PC users who once being affected by Snap.do virus. If any tangled issue occurs in the middle of the steps, please feel free to live chat with professionals for real-time assistance.
