How to remove Youtube Downloader (Virus Removal)

Youtube Downloader, also called YouTube Downloader or You Tube Downloader, is a Windows program that is usually advertised as an extension for Google Chrome that allows users to download YouTube videos from the Google Chrome browser window. However, the program is not a browser extension and cannot be used to download YouTube videos.

Once the Youtube Downloader program is installed it will create and schedule numerous tasks allowing itself to run when Windows starts and carry out other unknown objectives. The program will not install in a normal directory as most Windows programs do and it will not create a Windows desktop icon or Start Menu shortcut. In addition, the program will not attach a browser extension to Google Chrome or other web browsers named Youtube Downloader that can be used to download YouTube videos.

Is Youtube Downloader a virus?

According to VirusTotal, a website owned by Alphabet Inc. subsidiary Chronicle that aggerates antivirus products and online scan engines to check files for viruses, the file used to install Youtube Downloader named YoutubeDownloader Installation.exe is detected by 22 out of 69 antivirus products and services. 22 out of 69 is considered to be a very large detection rate and the results indicate that most mainstream security vendors including Malwarebytes, Kaspersky, Symantec (Norton), McAfee, Microsoft, and others have flagged this program and its files as malicious.

Antivirus	Threat Name
Cylance	AdWare:Win32/AdSearch.28f1cc91
ESET-NOD32	Unsafe
Fortinet	A Variant Of Win32/Agent.AR Potentially Unwanted
K7AntiVirus	Riskware/Agent
K7GW	Adware ( 005790241 )
Kaspersky	Adware ( 005790241 )
Malwarebytes	Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Win32.AdSearch.gen
MaxSecure	Adware.Agent
McAfee	Trojan.Malware.116264439.susgen
McAfee-GW-Edition	Artemis!A1AEEF669D52
Microsoft	Artemis!PUP
Panda	PUA:Win32/Presenoker

There are numerous grounds as to why many antivirus programs detect programs such as Youtube Downloader as adware, unsafe, riskware, a trojan, malware. These types of cyber threats typically display malicious, uncertain, or bothersome which may include:

• Unwanted pop up advertisements and banners on and offline
• Modified browser settings including the homepage and search engine which may result in browser redirections
• Slower performance
• Webpages may take longer to load
• Unwanted download and installations of unknown third-party programs which may include malware, adware, spyware, or ransomware

In addition, programs like this, as shown with Youtube Downloader advertisements utilize deceptive and unethical marketing tactics in order to persuade those who view the advertisements to install the programs. Youtube Downloader is known to utilize malicious and unethical advertising networks that promote other malware and display misleading advertisements. Advertisements used to promote Youtube Downloader may claim that it is a browser extension for Google Chrome that allows users to download YouTube videos although it is not. Advertisements may also claim that this program is a PDF conversion application.

The image above shows that this program is advertised as a Chrome extension available in the Chrome Web Store that allows you to “download videos in one click.” The advertisement says “by clicking the button and adding YouTube Downloader Chrome extension” and has an image that says “available in the Chrome Web Store” on the bottom left corner.

How to remove Youtube Downloader

Follow These Steps to Remove Youtube Downloader:

1. Download Malwarebytes using the link below to remove malware and potentially unwanted programs. There is a free version, a free trial version, and a premium version, all of which work in this guide.

2. Locate and double-click the setup file (MBSetup.exe) to install Malwarebytes. The setup file is usually located in the Downloads or Desktop folder. However, in some cases, the file may be executed from the bottom of the browser after it has been downloaded.

3. Once Malwarebytes has installed open the program and go to Settings > Security > Scan options and switch on Scan for rootkits, then click the X in the Settings Menu to close the area. To find Settings, click the tool icon on the top right of the program’s interface. Enabling the Scan for rootkits feature will ensure that Malwarebytes will scan for the largest amount of malware and PUPs possible.

4. Go to the home screen and click the Scan button to start scanning for malware and PUPs.

5. When Malwarebytes is finished scanning it will show a list of results including the detection names of all the malware, adware, spyware, and PUPs it found. Click the Quarantine button to remove all selected threats.

6. Malwarebytes may require a system reboot. If so, restart your computer, log back in, and finish these removal steps.

7. Download HitmanPro using the link below to perform a “second opinion scan” and remove leftover traces of tracking cookies, viruses, Trojans, rootkits, spyware, and other malware. There is a free version, a free trial version, and a premium version, all of which work in this guide. This program does not require to be set up or installed but you may be asked to provide your name and email address before proceeding.

8. Once HitmanPro is activated, click the Next button to start and follow the instructions. You may be asked to perform a one-time scan to check your computer or to create a copy of HitmanPro to regularly use the program. Select which is best for you; however, if we advise you to create a copy of this program to ensure your security.

9. Click the Next button to start scanning your computer.

10. When HitmanPro is finished scanning it will show a list of results including the threat name and type. Click the Next button to remove all selected threats. Then click Next to finish.

11. HitmanPro may require a system reboot. If so, restart your computer, log back in, and finish these removal steps.

12. Download CCleaner using the link below to perform a system checkup and repair corrupted settings. There is a free version, a free trial version, and a premium version, all of which work in this guide.

13. Locate and double-click the setup file (ccsetup.exe) to install CCleaner.

14. Once CCleaner has installed open the program and go to the Health Check screen and click the Next button (or Get Started) to start a checkup.

15. When CCleaner is finished scanning it will show a list of results including tracking files, junk files, modified startup tasks, and more. Click the Make it better button.

16. Go to the Registry screen and click Scan for Issues.

17. When the scan is finished click the Fix selected issues button.

18. Click Yes to back up the registry before making any changes to it and save the .reg file on your computer.

19. Click the Fix All Selected Issues button on the pop-up window then click Close.

20. Go to Tools > Uninstall to locate and uninstall suspicious programs. Click Install Date to list the programs in a row by the date they were installed. This allows you to find programs that were installed around the time of infection. If you locate a suspicious program, click on it, and click the Uninstall button. If you are unaware if you should uninstall a program, record the program’s name and search the program’s name using a search engine. Do most websites consider the program malicious? If so, uninstall it.

21. Go to Tools > Startup to disable programs from running when Windows starts. To disable a program from running, click on it, and click the Disable button. If you are unaware if you should disable a program from running, record the program’s name and search the program’s name using a search engine. Do most websites consider the program malicious? If so, disable it from running when Windows starts.

22. Go to Tools > Browser Plugins to delete unwanted browser add-ons and extensions. To delete a browser plugin, click on it, and click the Delete button. If you are unaware if you should delete a browser extension, record the extension’s name and search the extension’s name using a search engine. Do most websites consider the extension malicious? If so, delete it.

23. Download Norton 360 with LifeLock using the link below for complete protection. There is a free trial version Norton 360 with LifeLock is all-in-one protection for your devices, online privacy, and identity. This advanced feature-rich security program works to block malware and other threats from reaching your computer and devices in real-time. Securely browse the internet using a no-log VPN with bank-grade encryption that helps keep your personal information like your passwords and bank details private.

24. Select the version of the program you would like to use and click the Subscribe Now button (to download a free trial go to the footer menu and select free trials).

25. Once you have subscribed check your email for instructions to download Norton 360 or click the Get Started button on the order confirmation page.

26. On the get started page, go to Install protection on this PC or Mac and click Agree & Download. You may also choose to install this program on another device by clicking the Install on Another Device link.

27. Once Norton 360 has installed open the program and click Sign In to log into your account and unlock additional features.

28. Next, click the down arrow next to the Open button in the Device Security section and select Scan Options.

29. Select Full System Scan and click the Go button to start scanning for viruses, malware, and other threats.

30. When Norton 360 is finished scanning it will show a results summary. Click the Finish button to remove all detected items.

31. Norton 360 with LifeLock Select has many features that we suggest enabling including a Secure VPN to protect you online, cloud backup to secure your files, a password manager to store login information, and more. For more information about Norton 360 with LifeLock Select click the Help icon.

What to Do Next?

Your computer and devices should now be clean and free of malware after following our guide. However, if you run into future problems we strongly advise you to use premium security software such as Norton 360 or Malwarebytes. These programs protect your computer and devices against viruses, malware, adware, hackers, and can even keep you anonymous and out of the eyes of cybercriminals.

We also advise you to change the passwords to your online accounts including the passwords to your email, social media, and bank accounts. Here are some tips to help you create a secure password:

• Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.
• Use case-sensitive letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.

Also See:

• How to Remove PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs)
• How to Remove Malware From Android Phones