InstaTime PUP – What Is It and How to Get Rid of It

by Ventsislav Krastev | March 22, 2018 | 0 Comments browser redirect, PUP

Threat Summary InstaTime PUP – How Did I Get It InstaTime PUP – What Does It Do InstaTime PUP – How to Remove It Fully

This article has been created in order to explain what is the InstaTime unwanted program and how to remove it from your browser and your computer completely.

A new potentially unwanted program which uses your browser to track your information has been reported by cyber-security researchers. The program is the type of software which does not do anything specific at first glance, but actually performs activities in the background to which you would not consent if you knew. The program aims to open Instagram.com and use cookies plus other tracking technologies, including a JavaScript application in order to monitor your online activity. If you see any signs of InstaTime PUP running on your computer, we advise that you read the following article in order to learn how to remove InstaTime fully and protect your computer and information.

Threat Summary

Name	InstaTime PUP
Type	Potentially Unwanted Program
Short Description	The program runs JavaScript in the background and causes redirects to Instagram’s login page.
Symptoms	Your web browser may begin to automatically display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your PC.
Distribution Method	Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss InstaTime PUP.

InstaTime PUP – How Did I Get It

There may be several methods of propagation, used by the ones who spread InstaTime on computers. The program can be downloaded directly from a web page, which misleads the user that he or she is downloading a legitimate program which may be a software you are looking to install by searching it on unknown websites. The way the scheme works is after you click on “Download”, believing that you will download a program you desire, you are instead redirected to a website, which downloads InstaTime PUP instead. The web page on it appears like the following:

In addition to this, InstaTime may also be added on your computer as a result of you having to install a mod, patch or any other free program you may have downloaded from suspicious software-providing sites. Such freeware apps often come bundled with third-party programs, which are installed alongside them. And fast clickers plus unexperienced users often tend to miss apps, like InstaTime, because these apps are often well-hidden within the “Advanced” installation mode of the downloaded freeware’s setup.

InstaTime PUP – What Does It Do

Being classified as a potentially unwanted program, InstaTime is the type of software which may display different web pages on your computer. Among those web pages is the Official Instagram Login web page.

But it comes with a catch. The InstaTime software automatically runs an application, known as Node.JS alongside the redirect it causes to Instagram. This results in your web browser automatically establishing connection to a third-party host, most likely belonging to the same people who are behind InstaTime. Furthermore, it is also likely that the program may use different types of tracking technologies, besides it’s JavaScript, such as:

Cookies.
LSOs.
Pixels.
Tags.
Geo-locators.

These types of information trackers are often used for different malicious purposes, such as to track the following information about you:

Your browsing history.
Online searches.
Bookmarked websites.
Ads you have clicked on.

This information may be utilized by the InstaTime PUP to flood your computer with different advertisements, such as:

Banners.
Pop-ups.
Highlighted text ads.
Browser redirects.

In addition to this, even though it is not confirmed yet, the InstaTime app may begin to aggregate information about you and may even unknowingly collect passwords and other user-entered information. Since the advertisements which may be displayed on your computer In association with InstaTime may lead you to scamming sites, unsafe websites, malicious web pages and other risky online hosts, security experts advise to remove this PUP immediately from your computer, because it can be indirectly dangerous and even lead to serious security problems for your computer.

InstaTime PUP – How to Remove It Fully

Removing InstaTime may be a tricky process, since the program creates multiple different files and objects that are often hidden and difficult to find. This is the main reason why we advise you to follow the removal instructions underneath. If you lack the experience to remove this unwanted program manually, experts advise you to do so automatically, by downloading an advanced anti-malware software, which will make sure to remove all of the associated files and objects in relations to the InstaTime PUP and will also detect and remove other intrusive applications similar to it, if they are present on your PC.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove InstaTime PUP from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove InstaTime PUP

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall InstaTime PUP and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by InstaTime PUP on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by InstaTime PUP there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for InstaTime PUP with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of InstaTime PUP from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall InstaTime PUP and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to InstaTime PUP:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to InstaTime PUP. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to InstaTime PUP. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove InstaTime PUP via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as InstaTime PUP. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove InstaTime PUP files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as InstaTime PUP, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for InstaTime PUP:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove InstaTime PUP from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase InstaTime PUP from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall InstaTime PUP from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove InstaTime PUP from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the InstaTime PUP will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate InstaTime PUP from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.