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Advanced Top Adware

Also Known As: Ads by Advaced Top
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Advanced Top?

Advanced Top is a rogue application that infiltrates systems without users' permission (the "bundling" method). Following infiltration, Advanced Top delivers intrusive advertisements and might record various user-system information. For these reasons, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

Advanced Top adware

After successful system infiltration, Advanced Top delivers coupon, pop-up, banner, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Therefore, intrusive advertisements often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, these advertisements might lead to malicious websites and even execute scripts that stealthily download/install malware. Therefore, clicking them can result in high-risk computer infections. In addition, potentially unwanted adware-type programs are likely to record information relating to browsing habits.

Keystrokes, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geolocations, and other collected information typically includes personal details. Developers share this recorded information with third parties. These people generate revenue by misusing private details.

Therefore, the presence of data-tracking applications might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you eliminate Advanced Top adware immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by Advaced Top
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)

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There are dozens of adware-type PUPs similar to Advanced Top. For example, Powzip, Check And Switch, SearchAwesome, FastDataX, and many others. All claim to provide 'useful features', however, these programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

By offering various functions, PUPs attempt to trick users into believing that these programs are legitimate and useful. In fact, they deliver no real value for regular users. They deliver intrusive advertisements and record sensitive information, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did Advanced Top install on my computer?

This potentially unwanted program infiltrates systems without permission, since developers promote it using the aforementioned intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software).

Developers hide "bundled" PUPs within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes - they do not disclose PUP installations properly. Furthermore, many users are likely to click advertisements and skip download/installation steps without understanding the possible consequences.

This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as Advanced Top.

Note that developers distribute a small executable of Advanced Top, which (once infiltrated) connects to the down.dollar2018.com website and downloads other essential files to operate properly. In summary, the main reasons for computer infections are are poor knowledge and careless behavior.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent PUP infiltration, be extremely cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, most redirect to untrustworthy websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar.

If you encounter these ads, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. We also advise you to avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") PUPs.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with Advanced Top, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Deceptive installer distributing Advanced Top adware:

Advanced Top adware distributing installer

Screenshot of Advanced Top process in Windows Task Manager:

Advanced Top adware in Task Manager

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:
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Quick menu:

Advanced Top 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.

Advanced Top adware uninstall via Control Panel

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

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

Remove Advanced Top adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Advanced Top 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 Advanced Top 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 Advanced Top ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by advaced 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.

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 Advanced Top  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Removing Advanced Top ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by advaced top, 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 Advanced Top 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing Advanced Top ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by advaced top 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 ads by advaced top, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by advaced top or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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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.

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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
Ads by Advaced Top QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Advaced Top on your mobile device.
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