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Ads by TinderTop

Also Known As: TinderTop adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is TinderTop?

Identical to InstaTime, TinderTop is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to allow use of Tinder and Facebook directly from the desktop.

On initial inspection, TinderTop looks may seem a legitimate and useful program, however, this PUP often infiltrates systems without users’ permission. Furthermore, TinderTop continually delivers various advertisements and tracks Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, TinderTop is categorized as adware.

TinderTop adware

TinderTop generates pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar intrusive online advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ a 'virtual layer' - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site.

Displayed advertisements (that clearly do not originate from visited websites) often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience. Research also shows that these ads might redirect to malicious websites - clicking them risks further adware or malware infections. Users' web browsing activity is continually monitored.

TinderTop gathers Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geo-locations), websites visited, search queries, pages viewed, and other similar information that might be personally identifiable. Furthermore, TinderTop's developers share these details with third parties, who often attempt to generate revenue by misusing personal information.

The presence of an information-tracking app such as TinderTop on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate this PUP adware from your computer immediately.

There are hundreds of adware-type applications similar to TinderTop. Examples include Ghostify, VidSquare, ArcadeSwim, and DestinyScope. Research shows that all adware offers 'useful features' to supposedly improve the browsing experience. In fact, these apps provide no significant value for regular users.

The claims are merely attempts to trick users to install. The real purpose of adware is simply to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than enabling the functionality promised, TinderTop, and other similar apps, collect personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties) and deliver intrusive online ads (via the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model).

How did TinderTop install on my computer?

TinderTop is distributed via an official download website, and using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling". Aware of this, developers often install TinderTop inadvertently, without their consent. Bundling is essentially stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.

Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using the bundling method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Furthermore, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline all offers to download/install them. The key to computer safety is caution.

TinderTop adware installer set-up:

Official TinderTop adware installation setup

Screenshot of TinderTop application:

Potentially unwanted program TinderTop

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Quick menu:

TinderTop adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

TinderTop adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "TinderTop", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes TinderTop ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove TinderTop adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, TinderTop 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:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing TinderTop ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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".

Removing TinderTop ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tindertop adware, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing TinderTop  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing TinderTop ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tindertop adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing TinderTop ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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.

Removing TinderTop ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with tindertop adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the tindertop adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
TinderTop adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of TinderTop adware on your mobile device.
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