CastVPN "Virus" - How to Remove It and Stop Ads

by Ventsislav Krastev | July 30, 2018 | 0 Comments adware, pop-ups

Threat Summary CastVPN Adware – Distribution CastVPN Software – Activity How to Remove CastVPN Redirect

This article has been created to help you remove the CastVPN adware from your computer and show how you can stop advertisements from CastVPN in the future as well.

A new unwanted program, known as CastVPN has been reported to act as a VPN program but also come with extra “features” that are unwanted. One of those features is to display various types of advertisements on the victim’s computer. The CastVPN program may also use information that is gathered from the user PC with the main purpose of getting users to download and install a lot of different tools that may also modify the settings of the web browser of the victim as well as change home page, start page and other details. If you want to remove CastVPN completely from your computer, we advise that you read this article thoroughly.

Threat Summary

Name	CastVPN
Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP
Short Description	A website with questionable search enigne that replaces browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine without your permission.
Symptoms	The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to redirect to the main page of Search.searchm3p.com deceptive website. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads.
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 CastVPN.

CastVPN Adware – Distribution

For the CastVPN adware to be replicated on the computers of users, the program may be falsely advertised on their official web page as a service that will ensure a “Fast & secure web browsing with our community free VPN”. But what is interesting is that CastVPN is not available on their official site, where it is advertised as a helpful tool that aims to grant you access to streaming websites, anonymize you and access border-restricted sites.

This may leave only one method via which the CastVPN software is spread and this method is known as software bundling. Via this strategy the creators of CastVPN aim to slither the program onto the computers of users as a result of embedding it in the form of a free extra to the installers of other free programs widely available online. Such programs often are your favorite media player, torrent downloading software and any other program that you may have sought after.

CastVPN Software – Activity

Once the CastVPN software has been installed on your computer it may set scheduled tasks and heavily modify the Windows Registry Editor so that it starts processes automatically alongside Windows login. The bad news here is that once installed, the developers of CastVPN claim that the software may obtain different information from victim computer. According to their privacy policy, this information is:

Sites you have visited.
Home Page
Searches you’ve made.
IP and Network information.
What browser is installed.
Your OS type and version.
Location, Language and regional information.
Information you have entered on the sites you visit.
Your online clicks and searches.
Information you may have typed and unsecured (Personal Information).

According to their privacy policy, the CastVPN team has basically explained how they may collect any personal information:

The Personal Information we collect and retain include your IP address, your name and email address, identifying documents (driver license/ID/passport), office/home address, screen name, payment and billing information or other information we may ask from time to time as will be required for the on-boarding process and services provisioning.

Furthermore, in the privacy policy, the company also states that they may disclose this personal information under some specific circumstances and more importantly that they do not guarantee that these details are safe.

The main purpose of CastVPN however may seem to be to change the web page of your web browser with what appears to be it’s search engine, looking like the image below shows:

The main purpose of the program is to display different types of advertisements on the computers the software has been installed on. These ads may be of the following types:

Pop-ups.
Banners.
Browser redirects.
Highlighted text.
Ad-supported search results.

The main idea behind CastVPN is to get users to open the advertisements that are displayed by it. These ads may be conducted with the main purpose of generating funds via pay-per-click schemes as well as other types of redirects. The bad news here is that since CastVPN cannot guarantee that the ads that may be shown may lead to safe sites, although they do state that they refrain from such websites, the program may be indirectly dangerous to your computer by redirecting you to malicious or scamming sites that may either steal your information via pretending to be legitimate or worse – infect your PC with malicious software.

How to Remove CastVPN Redirect

If you want to remove CastVPN from your computer, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been created to help you fully remove CastVPN either manually or automatically. If manual removal does not seem to help you keep seeing ads on your computer, be advised that experts strongly advise to follow the automatic removal instructions underneath. They include the usage of an advanced anti-malware software capable of fully removing all CastVPN-related files and objects from your computer while in the same time ensuring that it stays protected against future intrusive software as well.

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 CastVPN from Windows.

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

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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall CastVPN 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 CastVPN:

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 CastVPN. 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 CastVPN. 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN. 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 CastVPN files from your Mac

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

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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 CastVPN 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.