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SnapMyScreen Toolbar

Also Known As: SnapMyScreen browser hijacker
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is SnapMyScreen?

Created by Mindspark Interactive Network Inc, SnapMyScreen is a rogue application claiming to allow users to take screenshots directly from their Internet browsers. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that SnapMyScreen is categorized as a redirect virus or browser hijacker.

The developers of this rogue browser extension employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install SnapMyScreen on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Bundling allows developers to stealthily distribute their applications together with other software, and therefore, most users install SnapMyScreen during download of free software from freeware download websites.

SnapMyScreen browser hijacker

Most popular freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com and many others employ small programs called 'download managers' to monetize their free services and traffic.

Download managers offer installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% virus-free') browser extensions or applications together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless download and installation of freeware frequently results in adware or malware infections.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, SnapMyScreen assigns the browser default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings to ask.com. It is not recommended to use ask.com as your default search engine, since the search results displayed are likely to cause further computer infections.

For these reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate SnapMyScreen from your Internet browsers.

There are many potentially unwanted programs similar to SnapMyScreen including for example, ProductRecallAlert, BetterBabyGuide, and PuzzleGamesDaily. None of these provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by enforcing unwanted browser redirects and delivering intrusive online ads.

Although SnapMyScreen poses no direct virus threats, most users are redirected without their consent. If you feel that your browser homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine settings have been assigned to ask.com, follow the removal guide provided to uninstall this browser hijacker from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive installer used in SnapMyScreen toolbar distribution:

SnapMyScreen toolbar installer

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Quick menu:

SnapMyScreen browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

SnapMyScreen browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for "SnapMyScreen Internet Explorer Toolbar", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs (which cause browser redirects to the search.tb.ask.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

SnapMyScreen browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing SnapMyScreen related Internet Explorer extensions

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "SnapMyScreen", and "Toolbar BHO", select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing SnapMyScreen from Internet Explorer homepage

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://home.tb.ask.com 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:

Removing SnapMyScreen from Internet Explorer default search engine

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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 "Ask Web Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the snapmyscreen 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing SnapMyScreen related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "SnapMyScreen" (and other recently-installed browser plug-ins).

Change your homepage:

Removing SnapMyScreen from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://home.tb.ask.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing SnapMyScreen from Mozilla Firefox 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: "ask.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with snapmyscreen 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, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the snapmyscreen browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
SnapMyScreen browser hijacker QR code
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