VPNTop Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is VPNTop?
VPNTop is a deceptive application that falsely claims to provide proxy and VPN functionalities. Judging on appearance alone, VPNTop may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware (advertising malware).
There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) display of intrusive online advertisements, and; 3) tracking of users' Internet browsing activity.
Following infiltration, VPNTop feeds users with various 'malvertising' ads (such as pop-ups, coupons, banners, etc.) To achieve this, developers employ various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, ads conceal underlying website content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Some are designed redirect to malicious websites and run scripts that download and install malware or other PUPs. Therefore, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Another downside is information tracking.
Be aware that potentially unwanted programs such as VPNTop continually record Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, and other similar information that might be personally identifiable. PUP developers sell this information to third parties (for dubious marketing purposes and to generate revenue).
For these reasons, potentially unwanted programs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety. We strongly advise you to uninstall VPNTop adware immediately.
| Name | Ads by VPNTop |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of adware-type applications that share similarities with VPNTop including, for example, Setli, Fast-access-web, Tabs To Windows, and Always Weather. All offer different functionality, however, their behavior is virtually identical. Claims to provide "useful features" are merely attempts to trick users to install.
Only a few PUPs provide the functionality promised - most are useless for regular users. Rather than providing any value for regular users, they deliver intrusive ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually gather various information.
Some are designed to misuse system resources to stealthily perform various tasks (such as cryptocurrency mining) without users' consent - this significantly diminishes computer performance.
How did VPNTop install on my computer?
VPNTop adware has an official website, however, this PUP is also proliferated using the The Roboto Condensed Font Was Not Found scam. This fake error claims that the system is missing certain font information and encourages users to download it, however, rather than providing the font, this scam downloads and installs a number of malicious PUPs, including VPNTop.
Adware-type applications are often distributed using aforementioned ads, and via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party programs together with regular software/apps). Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.
Therefore, they conceal bundled PUPs (mostly within the "Custom/Advanced" options). By rushing these processes (and clicking various ads), users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted programs are distributed using intrusive ads and via the "bundling" method. Therefore, be cautious when browsing the Internet and never rush when downloading/installing software. Intrusive advertisements often appear genuine - it is virtually impossible to determine if they originate from the visited (legitimate) website.
If you have clicked ads that lead to dubious websites (such as surveys, gambling, adult dating, etc.) not relating to the promoted product, check the list of existing applications/browser plug-ins and uninstall any suspicious entries. Furthermore, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation windows and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
Note that most third party download/installation set-ups include third party applications - using them is very risky. We strongly recommend that you download your software from official sources only and (if possible) use a direct download URL.
Deceptive free software installer distributing VPNTop adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is VPNTop?
- STEP 1. Uninstall VPNTop application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove VPNTop adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove VPNTop ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by VPNTop' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove VPNTop extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
VPNTop adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "VPNTop", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes VPNTop ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove VPNTop adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, VPNTop did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by vpntop, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by vpntop, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by vpntop removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by vpntop, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Outstanding!
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