How to Remove FileTour Adware

Can’t Remove FileTour ads? This page includes detailed ads by FileTour Removal instructions!

Out of a sudden your computer screen got bombarded with constant pop-ups, ads, banners, coupons, blinking messages and deals? We hate to break it to you, but it would appear that you are a victim of adware. Such advertisement activity can be really annoying and ruin a normal web surfing session. What’s in for the developers behind this malicious software? This virus generates PPC (Pay-Per-Click) revenue every time the user clicks on the advertised content on their screen. FileTour adware easily integrates with all popular browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Internet Explorer, etc. Users are strongly advised to resist clicking on any advertisement they see on their screen. This virus may not look dangerous at first, but victims have no way of knowing where the redirects might take them.

How did I get infected with?

The most common way of getting your computer infected with FileTour adware is by free software bundles. Cyber criminals repackage different kind of software and offer them as free bundles. After downloading them, the victim then proceeds with the installation process. The thing is, that developers don’t properly disclose the included software those bundles. Often users opt for the fast installation process, but what they do not know is that this way, they have no control over what is actually being installed on their computer. They should always proceed with the Custom install option because then they will be able to deselect any additional software that goes along with the main one.

Why is this dangerous?

While FileTour adware does not pose a high risk for your computer, this malicious software is nowhere near as dangerous as other big viruses. This PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) does not work like a browser hijacker. It doesn’t actually control browsing behavior or steal personal data. However, FileTour adware can make browsers subject to spam, unwanted extensions and toolbars, pop-ups, etc. You shouldn’t underestimate the power of this malware! If you happen to click on any of the advertised content, you can find yourself redirected to suspicious third-party websites that may hide real dangers for your computer. So if you don’t want your personal information compromised – don’t click on any ads that you see on your screen, no matter how attractive they may look. You never know where they may lead you to.

How to Remove FileTour virus

The FileTour infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the FileTour infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down FileTour in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate FileTour startup location

STEP 3: Delete FileTour traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down FileTour in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate FileTour startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean FileTour virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean FileTour traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the FileTour by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by FileTour

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for FileTour, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove FileTour argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove FileTour Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your system and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.