Do you know what Vil APP is?
Vil APP is a browser extension that can be encountered by Google Chrome users. Even though its description claims that by installing it, you can “enter a whole new world of browsing,” we recommend learning more about it first. As you see, the application was classified as a browser hijacker. Our researchers say that it can hijack users’ browsers by changing their default preferences. To learn more about how the application may modify your browser preferences, we invite you to read our full report. At the end of the text, we offer our removal guide that shows how to erase Vil APP manually if you do not want to have it on your system anymore. The process should not be complicated, but if it seems challenging, we advise getting a reputable antimalware tool instead that could take care of the browser hijacker.
Vil APP was available on the Chrome Web Store page for some time, but it was no longer there the last time we checked. Thus, it looks like the browser hijacker might have been removed from the Chrome Web Store page. Nonetheless, it is likely that it is being spread through other channels. For example, it could be distributed through file-sharing websites, pop-ups, and ads. Therefore, specialists recommend being attentive while picking new tools if you do not want to receive browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, and software alike. It is best to research new programs thoughtfully until you are one hundred percent sure that they are safe and worthy of your attention. We also highly recommend downloading applications only from legitimate websites because torrent web pages and other file-sharing websites can contain various unreliable or even malicious programs.
Vil APP screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
So, what happens when you install Vil APP? It may hijack your browser by changing its default search engine with a website called s3redirect.com. Our researchers say that it might redirect to a couple of similar sites before it displays search results. Moreover, you should know that by installing the extension, you might allow it not only to “Change your search settings to: s3redirect.com” but also “Read your browsing history” and “Read and change your data on a number of websites.” Your browsing history could reveal your visited websites, used search keywords, clicked advertisements, and other content that could help Vil APP understand your interests, and create tailored ads. Since the browser hijacker also asks for permission to change content on the websites you visit, there is a possibility that the extension could change ads displayed by your visited websites with ads of its own or third-party ads. In such a case, we advise being cautious as third-party ads could be unreliable.
If you do not like that Vil APP changes your default search engine or do not think it is a good idea to give the earlier mentioned permissions to a browser hijacker, you could erase it. Our researchers say that users can delete the extension manually. The removal guide available below can guide you through the process. On the other hand, if you find the task difficult or time-consuming, you could erase Vil APP with a chosen antimalware tool. All you have to do is do a full system scan and wait until the selected tool finishes checking your system. Once the scan is done, you should be able to erase Vil APP at once.
Erase Vil APP
- Launch Google Chrome.
- Press ALT+F.
- Tap on More Tools and select Extensions.
- Choose Vil APP.
- Press Remove.
- Click Remove again to finish.
In non-techie terms:
Vil APP was classified as a browser hijacker because it may hijack a user’s browser by replacing its default preferences. To be more precise, the extension could replace your default search engine. As a result, the affected browser may start loading the browser hijacker’s website every time a user starts a new search. The application’s website is called searchmes.xyz:443, and before showing search results, it may redirect to a similarly named website called s3arch.page:443. If you do not want to search the Internet through this search website or do not like how the extension changes browser preferences, you could eliminate it. If you follow the removal guide available above, you can learn how to delete Vil APP manually. The other way to eliminate the browser hijacker is to scan your device with a reputable antimalware tool that could take care of the unwanted extension.