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How to remove apps designed to open ourtopstories.com?

Also Known As: Ads by ourtopstories.com
Damage level: Medium

What is ourtopstories[.]com?

The main purpose of the ourtopstories[.]com website is to promote other questionable sites and show deceptive content. It is similar to okaynotification[.]com, maxy-tax[.]com, welftheraz[.]space, and a great number of other pages. It is important to mention that users do not open pages like ourtopstories[.]com intentionally.

ourtopstories[.]com pop-up redirects

Ourtopstories[.]com in detail

It is common that users open sites like ourtopstories[.]com by clicking shady advertisements, visiting other dubious websites or those pages get opened by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Either way, it is uncommon for a page like ourtopstories[.]com to be visited on purpose.

It is known that ourtopstories[.]com displays a message asking to click the "Allow" button to "continue watching" - it suggests that visitors need to click the "Allow" button to load a video. This website should not be allowed to show its notifications - its notifications contain shady ads, links to unreliable pages.

Another reason not to visit ourtopstories[.]com is that it could open untrustworthy pages designed to trick visitors into installing unwanted software (like adware, browser hijackers), entering personal information (like credit card details, social security numbers, usernames, passwords other information).

A couple of examples of websites that pages like ourtopstories[.]com may open are "Win The New iPhone 12", "Access To This Pc Has Been Blocked For Security Reasons", "Important Defender Update Available". It is possible that ourtopstories[.]com could open legitimate websites as well.

When pages like ourtopstories[.]com open legitimate websites, their developers get paid a referral fee for every purchase made, account created (or simimlar thing) through those pages. In one way or another, it is recommended not to trust ourtopstories[.]com and allow pages of this type to show notifications.

More about PUAs

As mentioned in the second paragraph, ourtopstories[.]com is likely to be promoted through PUAs. Apps of this kind can be designed to gather various information and (or) generate advertisements. Quite often, PUAs collect details related to browsing activities (for example, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites).

In some cases, PUAs can access passwords, credit card details, or other sensitive information. Gathered data could be sold to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), used for marketing purposes, to steal accounts, identities, etc. It depends on the capabilities of the installed PUAs.

Ads (e.g., banners, coupons, pop-up ads) generated by PUAs can be used to promote various unreliable websites. Also, those ads can be designed to download or even install unwanted software by executing certain scripts. Therefore, it is recommended not to download and install apps of this kind.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by ourtopstories.com
Threat Type Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads
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.
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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.

Websites like ourtopstories[.]com in general

In conclusion, users do not visit pages like ourtopstories[.]com intentionally. Usually, these pages get opened via dubious ads, pages, or PUAs. Either way, these pages cannot be trusted - most of them are designed to trick visitors into agreeing to receive notifications from them and promote other questionable websites.

How did adware install on my computer?

Typically, users unknowingly download or install potentially unwanted applications together with other programs - when those programs are bundled together with PUAs. Typically, users can decline offers to download or install undesired apps using certain settings that downloaders, installers have.

Programs that are bundled with PUAs usually have "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings or ticked checkboxes. Users can use those settings to deselect additionally included applications. In some cases, users unknowingly cause unwanted downloads and installations by clicking on deceptive ads designed to execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Third-party downloaders and installers, unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, and other sources can be used to distribute unwanted, malicious applications. For this reason, it is highly advisable to use official websites and direct links when downloading files or programs.

Downloaders and installers with settings like "Custom", "Advanced", or checkboxes often are bundled with potentially unwanted applications. Therefore, it is recommended to check those settings for unwanted offers and decline them before finishing downloads or installations.

Advertisements on questionable pages should not be clicked too - those ads can be used to promote other websites of this kind. What is worse, those ads could be designed to run scripts and cause unwanted downloads, installations. Unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins, or add-ons installed on a browser should be removed.

The same applies to programs of this kind installed on a computer. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of ourtopstories[.]com website (GIF):

ourtopstories[.]com website appearance (GIF)

ourtopstories.com ads notification ourtopstories.com ads notification 2 ourtopstories.com ads notification 3

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:

Disable unwanted browser notifications:

Video showing how to disable web browser notifications:

Google Chrome logoRemove spam notifications from Google Chrome:

Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". In the opened window select "Privacy and security", then click on "Site Settings" and choose "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome (step 1)

In the "Allowed to send notifications" list search for websites that you want to stop receiving notifications from. Click on the three dots icon near the website URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome (step 2)

Android logoRemove spam notifications from Google Chrome (Android):

Tap the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". Scroll down, tap on "Site settings" and then "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome - Android (step 1)

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and tap on them one-by-one. Once the pop-up shows up, select either "Block" or "Remove" (if you tap "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome - Android (step 2)

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove spam notifications from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen. Select "Settings" 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".

Disable web browser notifications in Mozilla Firefox (step 1)

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and block them using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove Website" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove Website" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Mozilla Firefox (step 2)

Microsoft Edge logoRemove spam notifications from Microsoft Edge:

Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window and select "Settings". Click on "Cookies and site permissions" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen and select "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Microsoft Edge (step 1)

Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL under "Allow" section and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Microsoft Edge (step 2)

Safari logoRemove spam notifications from Safari (macOS):

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.

Disable web browser notifications in Safari - macOS (step 1)

Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Disable web browser notifications in Safari - macOS (step 2)

How to avoid browser notification spam?

Internet users should be very skeptical when being asked to allow notifications. While this is a useful feature that allows you to receive timely news from websites you like, deceptive marketers frequently abuse it.

Only allow notifications from websites that you fully trust. For added security - use an anti-malware application with a real-time web browsing monitor to block shady websites that tries to trick you into allowing spam notifications. We recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

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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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Removal Instructions in other languages
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
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