| 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.
[/su_spoiler] 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.
