ZapMeta.com Redirect Removal

by Berta Bilbao | December 21, 2016 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, privacy, Protection, redirects

Threat Summary ZapMeta.com – Delivery Ways ZapMeta.com – More Information ZapMeta.com – Privacy Policy Remove ZapMeta.com Completely

Attention! This article will aid you to remove ZapMeta.com totally. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions given at the end of this article.

ZapMeta.com is a browser hijacker redirect. The website is made of a main page that has quite a few links, a search bar that redirects and similar contents. When redirected, you can see lots of advertisements and sponsored content that is shown when you use any service of ZapMeta. The hijacker can alter the start page, new tab, and search settings of your browser applications.

Threat Summary

Name	ZapMeta.com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Each browser application on your computer could be affected. The hijacker can redirect you and will display lots of advertisements.
Symptoms	Browser settings which would be modified are the homepage, search engine and the new tab.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss ZapMeta.com.

ZapMeta.com – Delivery Ways

ZapMeta.com could be delivered in multiple ways. One of those ways is via third-party installations. Those installer setups come from bundled applications and freeware that could be set to install additional content by default on your computer system. Usually, that might happen without prior notification. You might have tried installing a video player or some free software and got your browser settings modified by this hijacker. To avoid unwanted programs like those from affecting your computer machine is manageable. You just have to find Custom or Advanced options to deselect anything that is unwanted.

ZapMeta.com could be delivered through other methods, too. These methods often use add-ons or some browser extension which installs on your browser software. More delivery ways use advertisements, such as banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, and redirect links. Sponsored advertisements, including targeted content on suspicious websites could deliver the hijacker, as well. These websites might also be partnered or affiliated with the ZapMeta.com service. The following browsers could be affected: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.

ZapMeta.com – More Information

ZapMeta.com is the main URL address and search engine of a browser hijacker which bears the same name – ZapMeta. You will be immediately redirected from its search results and the links and content placed on the various pages of the website. The main page can be viewed from the snapshot given right here:

The ZapMeta.com browser hijacker will redirect you if you use its services or interact with content which is set on its search pages. When using its search engine to browse the Internet, you will be redirected to its specific search results page.

Know that every search query that you make on its pages will be sending information to servers connected to this ZapMeta.com hijacker. The page that is displayed in the above picture will replace the homepage, new tab and default search for every browser that you have installed.

The photo that you can see under this paragraph shows one example of what the results of a search query look like when they go through the ZapMeta.com search engine. These search results are either on the same domain or on ZapMetaSearch.com. Every query in the search will be filtered and sent to servers connected to the hijacker. So, everything that you give as information will be acquired by the browser hijacker in question.

The website pushes a bulk of advertisements and lots of redirects which could place browser cookies on your computer device, and they can track you and your Web activity. More, advanced tracking technologies could have been used, as well. Be careful of the information you input in such search pages, especially on those, associated with ZapMeta.com and ZapMetaSearch.com. Do not click on suspicious adverts and links that show up.

ZapMeta.com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the ZapMeta.com site is located on the main Web address and search pages of the website. Although being short in length, it provides insight about the information collection done by the website. Below, you can see exactly what kind of information can be acquired from you when you are using services of ZapMeta.

In the screenshot below, you can see the Privacy Policy:

The following information will be acquired, according to that policy:

Your Web history
Your IP-address
Your name
E-mail address
Physical address
Other information you provide

ZapMeta.com also states in its privacy policy that it can collect any information that you provide yourself. Browser cookies are also dropped by the site and services of ZapMeta.com and will collect further information about you. Besides, as your IP address and similar data are being collected and saved on servers of the hijacker application, you can be identified, and that qualifies as collecting of personally identifying information.

In conclusion, you should be wary of what information you provide on search engines and websites, plus, in the case you do not like for personal information to be obtained from you by this browser hijacker, you should consider removing it.

Remove ZapMeta.com Completely

To remove ZapMeta.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker redirect and its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer safe in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove ZapMeta.com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of ZapMeta.com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove ZapMeta.com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase ZapMeta.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall ZapMeta.com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove ZapMeta.com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate ZapMeta.com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable ZapMeta.com Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

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

How to Remove ZapMeta.com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove ZapMeta.com

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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com:

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 ZapMeta.com. 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 ZapMeta.com. 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com. 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 ZapMeta.com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ZapMeta.com, 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 ZapMeta.com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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 ZapMeta.com 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.