The Viber Virus
The “Viber Virus” refers to a specific type of malware that masquerades as the legitimate Viber communication application. This deceptive strategy is a common tactic in cybersecurity breaches, where malicious programs disguise themselves as trustworthy software. Once installed, this virus can compromise the computer’s security and integrity. Its capabilities may include stealing personal data, logging keystrokes, and even allowing unauthorized remote access to the infected system. The Viber Virus danger lies in its convincing appearance, often mirroring the authentic Viber app’s look and functionality, which leads users to download and install it without suspicion. Users should be cautious of where they download their apps, sticking to official channels like the App Store or the official Viber website. Additionally, keeping antivirus software updated is crucial in detecting and preventing such disguised threats.
What is the Viber Virus?
The Viber Virus is closely linked to the Softcnapp and Znyonm Trojan Horse threats – two other notorious malware strains. This association further classifies this malware under Trojan-type threats. Trojans, like the Softcnapp, are particularly dangerous because they often perform multiple malicious tasks covertly. Once the Viber Virus, operating as a Trojan, infiltrates a system, it can initiate a range of damaging activities. These include data theft, where sensitive information such as passwords and financial details are compromised. Additionally, Trojans can download and install other malware, further jeopardizing system security. They can also create backdoors, allowing cybercriminals remote access to the infected computer. This unauthorized access can lead to further exploitation, such as using the infected system for botnet activities or spreading the malware to other devices. The multipurpose nature of Trojans like this one makes them a significant threat to both individual and organizational cybersecurity.
Is the “Viber Virus” a Virus?
The term “Viber Virus” is somewhat misleading, as it suggests a virus, while it’s more accurately a Trojan. The key difference between viruses and Trojans lies in their method of operation. Viruses replicate themselves and spread to other programs or files, causing harm by modifying or corrupting them. Trojans, on the other hand, disguise themselves as legitimate software to deceive users into installing them. They don’t replicate but instead open backdoors for other malicious activities or steal data. This threat, being a Trojan, doesn’t spread on its own. Instead, it relies on the guise of the Viber app to trick users into downloading it. Thus, while commonly referred to as the Viber Virus, it’s more accurately a Trojan, highlighting the importance of understanding malware types for effective digital security.
The Viber Virus detection
The Viber Virus detection by Windows Defender in recent times has raised concerns among users who downloaded the Viber app. This occurrence suggests that it’s also possible that the legitimate Viber application may have become a vector for a Trojan infection, potentially the Softcnapp Trojan. When Windows Defender flags the Viber app as a threat, it often labels it under the name of Softcnapp, indicating a possible hijacking of the app by this specific Trojan. This scenario implies that the original, legitimate Viber software could have been compromised or tampered with by an advanced Trojan Horse threat. Consequently, when users download a hijacked version of Viber, they might unwittingly install the malware, leading to the Viber Virus detection alert from Windows Defender. This situation underscores the complexities of modern cyber threats, where even reputable applications can become conduits for malware.
The Viber Virus Trojan
Eliminating the Viber Virus Trojan from your system is crucial to protect your personal information and maintain overall digital security. This Trojan can compromise sensitive data, enable unauthorized remote access, and facilitate further malware infections. To remove the Viber Virus Trojan, use reliable anti-malware software, like the tool suggested on this page, or use the detailed removal guide provided below. For future protection, exercise caution with app downloads, ensuring they come from official sources like the Viber website or legitimate app stores. Regularly updating your antivirus software is vital, as it evolves to counter new malware variants. Employ strong, unique passwords and consider two-factor authentication for additional security layers. Regularly back up important data to minimize loss in case of an infection. Staying informed about current cybersecurity threats and trends also helps in maintaining a proactive stance against such Trojans.
SUMMARY:
| Name | Viber Virus |
| Type | Trojan |
| Detection Tool |
Remove Viber Virus
To try and remove Viber Virus quickly you can try this:
- Go to your browser’s settings and select More Tools (or Add-ons, depending on your browser).
- Then click on the Extensions tab.
- Look for the Viber Virus extension (as well as any other unfamiliar ones).
- Remove Viber Virus by clicking on the Trash Bin icon next to its name.
- Confirm and get rid of Viber Virus and any other suspicious items.
If this does not work as described please follow our more detailed Viber Virus removal guide below.
If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.
If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.
If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.
If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide.
Some of the steps may require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Next, Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).
Uninstall the Viber Virus app and kill its processes
The first thing you must try to do is look for any sketchy installs on your computer and uninstall anything you think may come from Viber Virus. After that, you’ll also need to get rid of any processes that may be related to the unwanted app by searching for them in the Task Manager.
Note that sometimes an app, especially a rogue one, may ask you to install something else or keep some of its data (such as settings files) on your PC – never agree to that when trying to delete a potentially rogue software. You need to make sure that everything is removed from your PC to get rid of the malware. Also, if you aren’t allowed to go through with the uninstallation, proceed with the guide, and try again after you’ve completed everything else.
- Uninstalling the rogue app
- Killing any rogue processes
Type Apps & Features in the Start Menu, open the first result, sort the list of apps by date, and look for suspicious recently installed entries.
Click on anything you think could be linked to Viber Virus, then select uninstall, and follow the prompts to delete the app.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, click More Details (if it’s not already clicked), and look for suspicious entries that may be linked to Viber Virus.
If you come across a questionable process, right-click it, click Open File Location, scan the files with the free online malware scanner shown below, and then delete anything that gets flagged as a threat.
After that, if the rogue process is still visible in the Task Manager, right-click it again and select End Process.
Undo Viber Virus changes made to different system settings
It’s possible that Viber Virus has affected various parts of your system, making changes to their settings. This can enable the malware to stay on the computer or automatically reinstall itself after you’ve seemingly deleted it. Therefore, you need to check the following elements by going to the Start Menu, searching for them, and pressing Enter to open them and to see if anything has been changed there without your approval. Then you must undo any unwanted changes made to these settings in the way shown below:
- DNS
- Hosts
- Startup
- Task
Scheduler - Services
- Registry
Type in Start Menu: View network connections
Right-click on your primary network, go to Properties, and do this:
Type in Start Menu: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
Type in the Start Menu: Startup apps
Type in the Start Menu: Task Scheduler
Type in the Start Menu: Services
Type in the Start Menu: Registry Editor
Press Ctrl + F to open the search window
I DID EVERYTHING U SAID , SHALL I UNINSTALL VIBER ?? THANK U !!
Hi GREGORY,
the virus can disguise as Viber. So I would suggest you to follow the guide to remove the virus.