Are you seeing Vader66 in the Google Chrome, FF, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge every time you run the browser? This means that your web-browser has become the victim of malicious software from the browser hijacker family which can make changes to settings of web browsers. Currently, this browser hijacker are widely spread, due to the fact that most people are trying to find free applications, download and install them on the machine without proper attention to the fact that the hijacker can penetrate into the computer along with them.
When you’re performing searches using the internet browser that has been affected by Vader66, the search results will be returned from Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search. The devs behind Vader66 browser hijacker are most probably doing this to make advertisement revenue from the advertisements shown in the search results.
Table of contents
A malicious software that can introduce changes to web-browsers settings on Vader66 commonly affects only Google Chrome, Firefox, MS Edge and IE. However, possible situations, when any other browsers will be affected too. The Vader66 browser hijacker infection can change the Target property of web-browser’s shortcuts, so every time you open the web browser, instead of your home page, you will see a completely different web-page.
Therefore it is very important to free your PC of hijacker infection as quickly as possible. Follow the few simple steps below to remove Vader66 , as well as other malware and adware, which can be installed onto your personal computer along with it.
Remove Vader66 redirect
As with uninstalling adware, malicious software or potentially unwanted software, there are few steps you may do. We suggest trying them all. If you do only one part of the guide, then it should be run malware removal tool, because it should delete browser hijacker and stop any further infection. But to completely get rid of the Vader66 you will have to at least reset your browser settings like homepage, newtab page and search provider by default to default state, disinfect web-browsers shortcuts, remove all unwanted and suspicious software, and delete hijacker by malicious software removal utilities. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to exit your internet browser or reboot your machine.
How to manually get rid of Vader66
The useful removal guide for the Vader66 . The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove Vader66 startpage let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
Delete Vader66 associated software by using Windows Control Panel
In order to delete PUPs like this browser hijacker infection, open the MS Windows Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”. Check the list of installed programs. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are ad-supported software, hijacker infection or PUPs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a programs which you do not use, then uninstalling them off will increase your computer start up time and speed dramatically.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button , then click Search . Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as shown on the image below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as shown below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your system. Most likely, one or more of them are responsible for the appearance of popups and internet browser redirect to the undesired Vader66 page. If you have many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful applications by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, press ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel like below.
Once the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown on the image below.
You will see a list of programs installed on your computer. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the applications that were installed last. Most likely they responsibility for the appearance of pop up advertisements and browser redirect. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. Once the application which you need to delete is found, simply click on its name, and then press ‘Uninstall’ as shown on the screen below.
Fix infected internet browsers shortcuts to delete Vader66 redirect
A browser hijacker can hijack various Windows shortcuts on your desktop (most often, all browsers shortcuts), so in this step you need to check and clean them by removing the argument like http://site.address/.
Right click to a desktop shortcut for your web-browser. Choose the “Properties” option. It will open the Properties window. Select the “Shortcut” tab here, after that, look at the “Target” field. The hijacker infection can replace it. If you are seeing something similar “…exe http://site.address” then you need to remove “http…” and leave only, depending on the web-browser you are using:
- Google Chrome: chrome.exe
- Opera: opera.exe
- Firefox: firefox.exe
- Internet Explorer: iexplore.exe
Look at the example as shown on the image below.
Once is complete, click the “OK” button to save the changes. Please repeat this step for internet browser shortcuts which redirects to an intrusive web pages. When you have completed, go to next step.
Get rid of Vader66 from Google Chrome
Like other modern web-browsers, the Google Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby restore the web browser newtab, start page and search engine by default that have been modified by the Vader66 hijacker.
First run the Google Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the main menu. Further, click the option named “Settings”. Another way to open the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter.
The browser will open the settings screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset settings” section is visible, like below and click the “Reset settings” button.
The Chrome will display the confirmation dialog box. You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The browser will launch the procedure of cleaning. When it’s done, the web browser’s settings including startpage, new tab and default search provider back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Get rid of Vader66 from Firefox
If your Firefox internet browser start page has replaced to Vader66 without your permission or a an unknown search engine shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the browser reset.
Run the Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the internet browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will open the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Mozilla Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the Vader66 hijacker. When, it’s done, press the “Finish” button.
Delete Vader66 redirect from Microsoft Internet Explorer
By resetting Internet Explorer web-browser you return your web browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by browser hijacker like Vader66.
First, open the Internet Explorer, click ) button. Next, press “Internet Options” as shown on the screen below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, click Reset button. The Internet Explorer will show the Reset Internet Explorer settings dialog box. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and press Reset button.
You will now need to restart your system for the changes to take effect. It will remove Vader66 browser hijacker infection, disable malicious and ad-supported internet browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s settings such as homepage, newtab page and search engine by default to default state.
How to get rid of Vader66 start page with free applications
The hijacker may hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and delete completely. This may lead to the fact that after some time, the browser hijacker again infect your system and change settings of all your typical web browsers to Vader66. Moreover, I want to note that it is not always safe to delete hijacker manually, if you don’t have much experience in setting up and configuring the MS Windows operating system. The best solution to find and remove browser hijacker infections is to use free malicious software removal software.
How to automatically get rid of Vader66 with Zemana Anti-malware
We suggest you to run the Zemana Anti-malware which are completely clean your system. Moreover, the utility will allow you to remove potentially unwanted programs, malware, toolbars and ad supported software that your computer can be infected too.
Download Zemana AntiMalware on your system from the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
164032 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Once downloading is complete, close all software and windows on your machine. Double-click the install file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown in the figure below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you set up Zemana Anti-Malware on your system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once setup is done successfully, Zemana AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.
Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the browser hijacker which modifies web-browser settings to replace your startpage, new tab page and default search provider with Vader66 page. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
Once the scan get completed, you will be shown the list of all detected threats on your PC. Next, you need to press “Next” button. The Zemana Anti Malware will remove Vader66 hijacker and other malicious software and ad-supported software. When the process is done, you may be prompted to reboot the system.
How to automatically get rid of Vader66 with Malwarebytes
We suggest using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to scan for and get rid of Vader66 start page from your personal computer. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the personal computer.
Download Malwarebytes Free from the link below.
326384 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
When the download is finished, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Malwarebytes will try to update itself and when this procedure is complete, press the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the Vader66 hijacker infection related files, folders and registry keys. While the tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malicious software. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and press “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes is a free application that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malicious software removal utility, we suggest you to read and follow the few simple steps or the video guide below.
Remove Vader66 browser hijacker infection and malicious extensions with AdwCleaner
AdwCleaner is a free portable application that scans your system for ad supported software, potentially unwanted applications and browser hijacker infections like Vader66 and helps remove them easily. Moreover, it’ll also help you remove any malicious browser extensions and add-ons.
Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below.
225261 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
Once downloading is finished, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the AdwCleaner desktop icon. When the tool is started, you will see a screen as shown on the image below.
Further, press “Scan” button to start scanning your system for the Vader66 hijacker and other malicious software and adware. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When the scan is complete, it will display a list of detected items as shown below.
Review the results once the tool has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Clean” button. It will show a dialog box as shown on the screen below.
You need to click “OK”. After disinfection is finished, the AdwCleaner may ask you to restart your PC. When your system is started, you will see an AdwCleaner log.
These steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.
Block Vader66 redirect and other unwanted web-pages
If you surf the Web, you can’t avoid malicious advertising. But you can protect your web-browser against it. Download and run an ad-blocker program. AdGuard is an adblocker that can filter out lots of of the malvertising, blocking dynamic scripts from loading malicious content.
Download AdGuard program from the following link.
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
Once downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as on the image below.
Follow the prompts. After the installation is done, you will see a window as shown on the image below.
You can click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your personal computer, AdGuard will start automatically and block popup advertisements, web-sites such Vader66, as well as other malicious or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which can be found on your desktop.
How to prevent Vader66 browser hijacker infection from getting inside your machine
The Vader66 browser hijacker is bundled with various freeware, as a supplement, which is installed automatically. This is certainly not an honest way to get installed onto your computer. To avoid infecting of your machine and side effects in the form of changing your web browser settings to Vader66 homepage, you should always carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license. Additionally, always select Manual, Custom or Advanced install mode. This allows you to disable the install of unnecessary and often harmful software. Even if you uninstall the free software from your computer, your web browser’s settings will not be restored. This means that you should manually remove Vader66 from the Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and MS Edge by follow the step-by-step instructions above.
Finish words
Now your machine should be clean of the Vader66 search. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted ads and intrusive harmful web sites) and Malwarebytes (to periodically scan your personal computer for new browser hijackers, malicious software and adware). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove Vader66 start page from the Google Chrome, FF, IE and Edge, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.