Avoid dubious content promoted through the filez.top file sharing website

What is filez[.]top?

filez[.]top is an untrusted file sharing website that employs rogue advertising networks. Therefore, visitors to filez[.]top are redirected to other dubious, deceptive and even malicious web pages through direct and indirect interaction with the content that it presents.

Additionally, this website employs browser notifications, which promote dubious and potentially harmful content. You are strongly advised against visiting or using filez[.]top.

Sites that use rogue advertising networks can force-open other web pages when accessed. They can also contain hidden links and/or display intrusive advertisements - once clicked, these redirect to untrusted/malicious pages.

Through rogue advertising networks, users can inadvertently enter various sale-based, untrusted/rogue, deceptive, compromised, scam and malicious websites. This can lead to a number of serious issues. Furthermore, filez[.]top asks users to allow browser notifications.

If enabled, the site then delivers dubious and possibly dangerous advertisements/notifications. For example, filez[.]top has been observed promoting variants of the "Norton subscription has expired today" and "Your McAfee Subscription Has Expired" scams. Intrusive ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) are another concern.

When clicked, they cause redirects and also execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software. Prime examples of content infiltrated into systems in this manner are Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). These rogue apps can have dangerous capabilities.

Some types can force-open suspicious sites, such as those promoted via rogue advertising networks. Another type classified as adware operate by running intrusive ad campaigns. I.e., enabling the placement of ads on any visited web page. PUAs classified as browser hijackers modify browsers to promote fake search engines.

These bogus search tools typically cannot provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Google, Bing and other genuine search engines. Furthermore, most PUAs can track data.

They monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by filez.top
Threat Type	Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads.
Serving IP Address	185.66.200.159
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, potentially unwanted applications (adware).
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Monetizing sites through the use of rogue advertising networks is very common. There are thousands of web pages that generate revenue in this manner - youtubetomp3.sc, magnetdl.com, zooqle.com, limetorrents.info and bc.vc are just some examples. Since they pose various threats to device/user safety, you are strongly advised against visiting or using them.

How did adware install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other programs. This fake marketing technique of packing normal products with unwanted or malicious software is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled additions into the system.

Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software prior to download/installation. Use only official and verified download sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and bundled content.

Download and installation processes must be treated with caution.

Tead the terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline download/installation of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to suspect web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Screenshot of "Norton Subscription Has Expired Today" scam advertisement/browser notification delivered by filez[.]top:

Screenshot of "Your McAfee Subscription Has Expired" scam advertisement/browser notification delivered by filez[.]top:

A variant of filez[.]top causing redirects (GIF):

Another variant of filez[.]top causing redirects (GIF):

IMPORTANT! filez[.]top asks to enable web browser notifications:

Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

Google Chrome (PC):

• Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Google Chrome (Android):

• Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
• Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
• Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
• Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"

Internet Explorer:

• Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
• Select "Internet options"
• Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
• Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button

Microsoft Edge:

• Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
• Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
• Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
• Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
• Click the switch under each suspicious website

Safari (Mac):

• Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
• Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
• Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is filez[.]top?
• STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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 any potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes filez[.]top redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from 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 filez.top, 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 and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by filez.top, 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 filez.top 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 filez.top, 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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