Remove CastVPN virus (Virus Removal Instructions)

CastVPN virus is an unsafe app that promises users to bypass restrictions to view certain sites

CastVPN virus

CastVPN virus is a potentially unwanted program^[1] that typically distributed via software bundling, as the official website no longer exists. Developers of the app promise a “Fast & secure web browsing with our community free VPN” which would also allow users to enter geo-restricted content and stay anonymous while doing so. Truth to be told, many users might be tempted by such functionality, as recent data breaches like Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal^[2] prompted users to increase the security of their personal information online. Unfortunately, CastVPN software is actually an adware program which delivers a countless amount of advertisement and heavily tracks its users. Most recently, the domain was bought by Divi Group, an advertisement-based monetizing platform. Besides, the official site is blocked and marked as unsafe by multiple browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

Summary
Name	CastVPN
Type	Adware
Related	Divi Group
Distribution	Software bundling
Symptoms	Increased amount of ads
Affected browsers	Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc.
Main dangers	Excessive information tracking can lead to its leakage to unsafe parties
Elimination	For quick solution use security software; alternatively, you can check our manual instructions below
Recovery	PUPs often modify various settings that might be difficult to revert. Use Fortect Intego to recover normal operation of your device

CastVPN sets up scheduled tasks and modifies Windows Registry in order to perform its activity. By performing these changes, the PUP ensures its launch at every Windows bootup. Only CastVPN virus removal can revert these changes, and make the computer act normal again.

The first sign that users can notice after their PCs get infected with CastVPN virus are intrusive banners, in-text links, pop-ups, offers, deals, flashing windows and similar commercial content. Additionally, the dubious app hijacks Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or any other browser and sets its homepage and search engine by default.

For that reason, users are forced to use CastVPN's search engine, which brings search results that are not entirely genuine. Every search query will be littered with sponsored links that appear at the top of the page, increasing the traffic to sponsored domains and artificially bloating its rankings. In the meantime, CastVPN authors gain money for every click, as pay-per-click revenue is used. Thus, the app can redirect you to potentially dangerous places on the internet, including malware-ridden sites.

CastVPN adware

Pop-up ads initiated by CastVPN virus can spawn at random times, as well as on all websites that are visited by users. For example, domains that usually do not display advertisements might start showing ads with the following text (although most of the adverts will have no markings):

Ads by CastVPN;
Sponsored by CastVPN;
Powered by CastVPN
Brought to you by CastVPN, etc.

Intrusive ads and pop-ups might be annoying to deal with, but the most alarming feature of CastVPN virus is information tracking. Not only the adware collects anonymous data (it is quite typical behavior for a potentially unwanted program, although still might not be safe), but also focuses on personal details. The Privacy Policy states the following:

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, this personal data can be transferred to unknown parties in case the company undergoes a merger or goes bankrupt. Additionally, if the latter occurs, CastVPN authors have “no control over the use and transfer of your personal information.” However, by using their services, users agree to these terms automatically.

There are several ways to remove CastVPN virus from your computer. We recommend using security software for quick elimination and, for restoration of Windows Registry keys, we suggest using Fortect Intego. Alternatively, you can also try our manual instructions below and get rid of CastVPN intrusive behavior.

While VPN^[3] is an excellent tool for secure browsing and a way to stay anonymous online, security experts recommend picking trusted VPN providers that do not track an excessive amount of data about you.

CastVPN is marked unsafe

Pay attention while installing freeware and shareware

Unfortunately, not many users know about the software bundling technique. That's why they are baffled when they see new browser extensions, toolbars, media players, PDF converters^[4] and similar programs on their computers. In reality, users give their consent to install these unwanted apps, and it happens during freeware or shareware installation.

Thus, to avoid PUPs that could potentially cause harm to your PC, you need to pay close attention to the installation procedure. First of all, make sure you do not download anything from file-sharing or torrent sites, as these sites can contain not only adware but also malware. Instead, select a trusted download source.

When installation wizard pops up, make sure you never click “Next” several times without looking. Carefully read through all instructions and, when prompted, select Advanced/Custom installation settings. Only this way you will be able to deselect all the optional installs, which would be automatically installed if you would have picked Recommended/Quick mode.

Delete CastVPN virus and protect your personal information from theft

To stop CastVPN virus, you will have to pick the elimination method that suits you the most. There are two options available – manual and automatic. Both of them will result in CastVPN removal, although the latter will save a lot of time and can be beneficial in other ways.

If you decide to go for a quick option, you should download and install security software (some excellent choices are presented below). Anti-virus programs are an efficient way to get rid of pests that clutter your computer. Additionally, it can also restore Windows Registry automatically, so no traces of CastVPN virus are present.

If, however, you are keen to remove CastVPN manually, you should check our step-by-step guide below. While this method does not require you to install additional programs, it will not protect you from any malware or PUPs in the future. Furthermore, please do not attempt this procedure if you are confident with your computer skills.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
Pick Manage Add-ons.
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:

Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
Select Internet Options.
In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:

Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
Under Browsing history, click Delete...
Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:

Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
Select Reset.
In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove CastVPN virus

CastVPN virus is an unsafe app that promises users to bypass restrictions to view certain sites

Pay attention while installing freeware and shareware