An infection with the dangerous MyVideoTab Redirect leads to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide.
Remove MyVideoTab Redirect and Restore PC
Manual Removal Guide
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Distribution of MyVideoTab Redirect
MyVideoTab is a new malware which has been reported in various attacks worldwide. At the moment the security experts have not been able to identify a single tactic that is being used to infect the targets. We presume that the hackers are using several of the most important methods to carry out the malicious campaigns.
A common way of setting browser hijacker attacks is the use of email spam messages. They may directly distribute malicious file attachments containing scripts that lead to an infection. Other cases can utilize complex social engineering tricks and hyperlinks that are specifically made to confuse the intended targets into infecting themselves. Two more scenarios that are used in combination with email messages rely on infected files used as payloads ‒ documents and software installers.
- Infected Software Installers ‒ The criminals craft malicious packages made out of legitimate software installers. They are taken from the official vendor download sites, modified and then posted on online sites or attached (either as file attachments) or linked in the email messages.
- Infected Documents ‒ They represent dangerous files that usually come in the form of some of the most popular document types: rich text documents, spreadsheets and databases. When the users open them up a notification prompt will ask them to enable the built-in scripts (macros). If this is done then the malware is installed on the victim computer.
The malware browser plugins can be uploaded to hacker-controlled sites and P2P networks like BitTorrent as well. The hacker operators frequently utilize template design, text and images to create portals that look like legitimate download sources. They may also use domain names that are very similar to legitimate sites and advertise them via pop-ups or ad networks.
The browser hijacker code associated with the MyVideoTab Redirect can be found in numerous malware toolbars. They are usually made for the most popular web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Microsoft Edge. They can be distributed on such download sites or even on the browsers repositories (such as the Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome) using fake developer accounts.
Impact of MyVideoTab Redirect
The MyVideoTab redirect is a dangerous browser hijacker which belongs to a family of threats made by the MindSpark company. They are known for producing multiple threats that all bear a similar name and operate the more or less same behavior strains. One of the main goals of the malware is to redirect the victims into using a hacker-operated site by manipulating the settings of the installed and compatible web browsers. Usually the developers target the most popular ones: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, Microsoft Edge and Safari.
The staff behind the MyVideoTab Redirect are known to utilize a lot of infection strategies seeking to infect as many users as possible. A popular way is to distribute extensions in the official software repositories such as the Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome. Usually the MyVideoTab Redirect instances found feature in-depth descriptions, screenshots and counterfeit user reviews ‒ all of them elements that promote a level of trustworthyness. If the victims infect themselves with the malware code then the first stage conditions are executed.
Like other similar MindSpark hijackers the MyVideoTab Redirect follows a built-in behavior pattern that is executed once the malware code has been established on the victim computers. A typical infection is the following:
- Browser Settings Change ‒ The MyVideoTab redirect runs mainly through the base infection engine which is found in the browser plugin code. As such it is important for it to modify the infected browsers to point to the hacker-operated site. The first symptoms of such attack are changed important settings ‒ the default home oage, search engine and new tabs page.
- System Information Harvesting ‒ Advanced threats (including others made by the MindSpark company) can include dangerous code that is able to extract senstiive information from the system including the following: hardware components, installed applications and user settings.
- Persistent State of Installation ‒ Some forms of the MyVideoTab Redirect can be installed using a specialist method called “persistent state”. They allow the infection engine to constantly monitor the user’s actions thereby preventing manual removal options. If such is the case only a quality anti-spyware solution can effectively delete the virus instance.
- Additional Delivery ‒ The MyVideoTab redirect can be a useful tool allowing the operators to institute other threats to the victims.
The next time the victims open a web browser or navigate to a site they will be redirected to the main home page which appears as a user-friendly Internet portal. Tracking cookies are instituted at once which actively monitor the user behavior and activity across all connected services. The web design follows a standard layout constituting of the following elements:
- Top Bar ‒ At the moment it shows the current time and the MindSpark logo.
- Links ‒ Underneath the search engine lie links to some of the most popular social media and widely used Internet services. If the users follow the links the tracking cookies may acquire detailed information related to the profiles, interactions and gather sensitive information about the users themselves.
- Company Information ‒ The MindSpark company sites are listed on the bottom of the page.
- Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
- Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
- Secure your web browser.
- Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
- Disable macros in Office documents.
- Use strong passwords.
- Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
- Backup regularly your data.
Two of the most popular documents listed on the site’s homepage ‒ the privacy policy and the terms of use showcase some of the serious privacy and security risks. By using the browser plugin the victims automatically agree to allow the software to add new components to itself. In addition the privacy policy lists some of the types of information that is being gathered automatically by grouping them into several categories. The operators distinguish between data shared by the user through the tracking cookies which may result in the acquisition of information such as the victim’s real name, email address, telephone number, username and password combination and any other related strings. Automated capture of information is collected upon first infection. The document lists that the following data is acquired: IP address, your browser type and language and other browser-related information, a time-stamp, the keyword query, search query text, search results clicked, pages viewed, search history, content of undeleted cookies and the unique identifier for each host.
Bear in mind that other technologies are also imposed to hijack information from the victims such as web beacons. One of the major reasons why browser hijackers such as the MyVideoTab redirect are being made is to drive traffic to sponsored sites. The fact that detailed information is being extracted from the victims shows that detailed profiling of the individual users is being made. A particularly worrysome fact is that if the browser hijacker is accessed through a mobile network any network or roamind provider messaging data rates can also apply as the programs typically constantly report data to the malware servers.
MyVideoTab Redirect is a very dangerous threat that must be eliminated completely to prevent any privacy and security risks for the victim users. This is why we we recommend that all users remove the active infections by following our in-depth removal guide.
Remove MyVideoTab Redirect and Restore PC
WARNING! Manual removal of the MyVideoTab Redirect requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
MyVideoTab Redirect – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Remove MyVideoTab from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
2. In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
3. The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
Remove MyVideoTab Virus From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
- 1. Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
2. Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
3. Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
4. In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
5. Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
- 1. Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
2. Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
3. Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
4. Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
5. In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
2. In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
3. Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
4. Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
5. In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
