| Name | AdVPN |
| Type | search engine, free application |
| Short Description | The program should grant users VPN services. |
| Symptoms | Advertisements may be generated, after its installation. |
| Distribution Method | Via freeware packages (bundling), freeware pages. |
| Detection tool | Download SpyHunter, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By AdVPN |
The program AdVPN has supposedly been created to grant users VPN services. In other words, it should allow them to browse the web anonymously. These services seem to be quite appealing as many users strive for online anonymity. But even though AdVPN may look appealing, it is not a program you want to have on your computer. It has been discovered that this is a product of AltoCloudMedia Ltd. This company is in the business of online marketing. This is why AdVPN will actually start presenting numerous advertisements while you are browsing the web, and it will not provide any VPN services. Adware programs such as this are regarded as unwanted. This is why we implore users to get rid of it immediately.
What Does AdVPN Do?
AdVPN will attach an add-on to your browser once it has been installed. This can be done on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Then, it will start presenting numerous ads each time you try to browse the web. The ads can be in various formats: in-text, pop-up, banner, interstitial, etc. The program will also track your browsing activities, which is the exact opposite of the services it promises to deliver. The information that is collected by AdVPN is used to display targeted advertisements. The information can also be disclosed to advertisers that employ AdVPN’s serices.
Where Did AdVPN Come from?
It is unlikely that AdVPN has been installed on your computer with your knowledge. Adware programs usually rely on getting installed stealthily. AdVPN is featured on various installers of free applications that are available on third-party websites. This way it can slip through inattentive users and get installed without them knowing it. The presence of the program will become evident though as it the ads it displays will labeled as “AdVPN Ads,” “Ads by AdVPN,” “Powered by AdVPN,” etc. There are ways in which you can prevent unwanted programs from getting installed without your knowledge. For this, you will have to do the following:
- Avoid downloading free software from third-party websites.
- Mind the information that is presented in the install wizard.
- Opt for Advanced/Custom installation. This way you will be able to view whether there are additional programs on the installer, and you will be able to decline them.
Why Is AdVPN Unwanted?
AdVPN will not provide any of the services it promises. At the same time, it will present numerous advertisements every time you are browsing the web. What is worse, however, is the fact that the ads can be misleading. It is possible for some to take users to harmful web pages. This is a serious risk as your system may become a target for infection or some scam may be infected. Either way, it puts your personal and financial information at risk. This is why you should remove AdVPN as soon as possible.
How to Remove AdVPN
You can perform the task manually. Open Control Panel and the list of programs, then find AdVPN and uninstall it. You should keep in mind that more unwanted programs may have already snuck on your computer or they will do so in the future. It is important to keep the PC protected. This is why it is strongly recommended that you acquire a reliable antimalware program. This will get rid of all undesired software. And it will not allow it to infiltrate the PC in the future.
1. Remove/Uninstall AdVPN in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall AdVPN.
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2. Remove AdVPN from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select AdVPN and click “Remove”
After AdVPN is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select AdVPN to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After AdVPN has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on AdVPN
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall AdVPN. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the AdVPN will be removed.
3. Use an advanced anti-malware program to scan your computer for any left-over objects such as registry entries and other files after uninstall.
To clean your computer you must download an updated anti-malware program then install it. After that you should scan your computer to remove all AdVPN associated and left-over objects.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove AdVPN from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of AdVPN from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove AdVPN from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase AdVPN from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall AdVPN from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove AdVPN from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate AdVPN from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove AdVPN from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove AdVPN
Step 2: Uninstall AdVPN 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by AdVPN 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 AdVPN there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of AdVPN from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall AdVPN and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 AdVPN 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:
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 AdVPN files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AdVPN, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove AdVPN 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
Erase AdVPN 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
Uninstall AdVPN 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
Remove AdVPN 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 AdVPN will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate AdVPN 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.
