While conducting research in a malware-testing environment, we discovered RAV's VPN (also known as RAV VPN or ReasonVPN).
Although not harmful, this rogue application can be installed on your computer through third-party installers, similar to how browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) spread.
This app is marketed as a powerful tool that allows you to surf the internet more securely by tunneling your connection to multiple datapoints and locations across the internet.
Essentially, it is a VPN program that will keep your connection secure.
What is the catch? It appears to be useful, but as with rogue programs, they are frequently unneeded by the user.
They are also known as Potentially Unwanted Programs (or PUPs for short), and they are apps that are unexpectedly installed on your PC after you download an app from unverified sources.
Adware threats in general
Adware, also known as ad-supported software, helps developers generate revenue in a variety of ways.
Once installed, VPN by RAV will begin to perform harmful actions on the computer. These applications are frequently bundled with unnecessary toolbars and applications, which can be inconvenient to manage.
If your device becomes infected with advertising-supported software, you may notice annoying banner ads appearing on your screen, and your browser will be inundated with advertisements.
Ads appear frequently in search results, notifications, and the customizable home tab.
Malware developers make money by displaying unauthorized advertisements on users' screens.
Downloading an unwanted program bundled with RAV VPN can have serious consequences for your computer, including changes to your settings that benefit malware authors.
Distribution network
The VPN by RAV program is installed on the user's PC via deceptive download pages that lead you to believe you are receiving what you requested, when in fact it is a completely different download.
There are numerous examples of platforms that engage in illegal content streaming, websites that provide cracked games and software, and malware-infected files.
In some cases, it is loaded through third-party installers, which install the necessary core software alongside the VPN by RAV application and other unwanted objects included in the installation package.
Threat summary | |
---|---|
Malware name | VPN by RAV |
Developer | ReasonLabs |
Version | 1.0.0.0 |
Threat type | Advertising-supported software (Adware), PUP, Rogue Program |
File type | .exe |
Delivery network | Bundled into third-party installers & unreputable site downloads |
Malware behavior | Acts as proxyware and monetizes by using the computer's Internet. |
Damage | Potential data loss, poor search results, bad browser experience |
More about ReasonLabs
VPN by RAV and their other products are actually useful software designed to protect people from digital threats.
However, because of the pushy and forceful manner in which they market these products, many people mistake them for viruses.
To be clear, they are not in the least. If you need an antivirus or VPN before installing ReasonLabs products, we recommend that you keep them.
But we should note that third-party installers frequently include not one, but several unwanted apps on the computer, so even if VPN by RAV is safe, there is a chance that other malicious software will be installed alongside it.
Furthermore, many users from various social media sites claim that VPN by RAV is difficult to uninstall.
If you're having trouble removing VPN by RAV or dealing with an infected program that came with it, here are some steps you can take to get them and any other potential malware off your computer.
VPN by RAV removal guide
If you need help eliminating VPN by RAV from your computer, you've come to the correct place.
The following step-by-step instructions will show you how to uninstall the adware and remove any other malware threats that may have entered your computer's system.
We considered the technical skills of the people who use the internet, so we made sure the steps are simple enough that even those who aren't tech-savvy could follow them.
Before proceeding, make sure you have a backup of your data saved somewhere else.
If you don't, your files may be destroyed or lost as you follow the instructions below. These situations rarely happen, but we recommend doing it just in case.
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To remove the VPN by RAV program from your computer, you only need to follow a simple two-step procedure:
Step 1: Uninstall VPN by RAV
In order to get rid of VPN by RAV entirely from the computer system, we need to uninstall the software together with all of its leftovers.
While you can accomplish this with the Add & Remove Programs area in more recent Windows settings, it's far simpler to use the Programs and Features page in the Control Panel.
The publisher name, the installation date, and the version number will all be displayed in a single grid screen, making it simpler to locate the undesired program. Here's how to do so:
1. Click on the Windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Type Control Panel in the provided search bar and select the first item from the search results.
3. Click on Programs and inside, select Programs and Features.
4. You will be presented with a list of programs currently installed on your computer.
5. Find VPN by RAV and right-click the item then select Uninstall/Change from the dropdown menu.
We'll need to use a powerful uninstaller to do the dirty work for us if the software is stubborn and won't go away with normal approaches.
Fortunately, there are tools for this; Revo Uninstaller is a good uninstaller program made to tackle and remove uninstallable programs.
1. To start, download Revo Uninstaller by clicking here. Avoid downloading from third-party sources as they may contain additional bloatware upon installation.
2. On the download page, opt for the free version of Revo Uninstaller as it has all the features we need. Click on Free Download to begin downloading the setup file.
3. The revosetup.exe file would have started downloading. Click on it to start installing the software.
4. Revo Uninstaller setup would now begin and follow the typical setup procedure such as selecting your setup language, accepting the license agreement, and selecting the installation location. Once setup is ready click Install.
5. After the setup is finished, check the Launch Revo Uninstaller option to open the program upon closing the installer.
6. Once Revo Uninstaller has opened, it will show you the list of applications currently installed on the computer. Find VPN by RAV, right-click it, and select Uninstall from the drop-down menu. (We will be using PC App Store to demonstrate.)
7. A confirmation message stating if you are sure you want to uninstall the said program, click Continue.
8. Follow the uninstallation instructions and this time, Revo Uninstaller would have forced the program to continue with the uninstallation compared to the previous attempt via Control Panel.
9. You will be notified that the software has been uninstalled, Revo Uninstaller will now conduct a preliminary examination and get rid of additional files and registries related to VPN by RAV.
10. On the selection of Scanning modes, select Advanced to make sure everything is scanned without leaving a single directory unnoticed.
11. Wait for the scan to finish as Revo Uninstaller is checking for residual files and registries related to VPN by RAV.
12. Revo Uninstaller may have found leftover Registry items, click Select All and proceed to delete them by clicking the Delete button next to it. After that, click Next.
13. It may have also found some leftover files and folders, simply do the same by clicking Select All and deleting them. Now click Finish and the uninstallation of VPN by RAV is done.
Step 2: Run second-opinion scans
Antivirus engines may not detect new threats in the early stages of infection due to the malware not yet being recognized by the security software. It might be discovered in the end, but it may be too late for the infected machines.
However, new malware threats may contain strings and signatures from previous malware in a database of existing security products. As a result, other antivirus software may identify it while others do not.
Since some antivirus software may not be able to detect it, we'll need more than one piece of security software to help us locate and remove the harmful threat.
Please run the software individually. You can do so in any particular order.
- Removal Tool
- Emergency Kit
- ESET Scanner
- Malwarebytes
Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool is an excellent tool for scanning and disinfecting malware-infected computers. Please note that this tool is separate from the mainstream Kaspersky security applications, so worry not about the company's controversies.
1. To start, download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.
2. Once the download of the executable file (KVRT.exe) is complete. The program doesn't need to be installed on the computer, so you may begin running it straight away.
3. After reading the KSN Statement, Privacy Policy, and End User License Agreement, check the box indicating your agreement to the terms and conditions. To continue, click Accept.
4. Please wait for the system initialization process to finish, as the program will first check if your system is compatible.
5. Before we start scanning, we will have to set the scope of the scan. Click the Change parameters option to do so.
6. Check all the boxes to allow the computer to search through all of the disks and directories for malware. After that, click OK to return to the main screen.
7. We can now begin the scan; simply click the Start scan button, and the Virus Removal Tool will begin.
8. Await the scan's completion with patience. If there are any risks within the computer system, a notification will be displayed.
9. To completely remove the risks that the program has identified, click Delete from the drop-down menu of each discovered object.
10. Click Continue to remove the identified malware threats from your computer.
As the name implies, the Emergency Kit software by Emsisoft is a must-use in your malware scanner arsenal. It features the same powerful scanning technology used by their flagship software, Emsisoft Anti-Malware.
1. Download the Emsisoft Emergency Kit portable software.
2. You can launch the executable program (EmsisoftEmergencyKit.exe) directly from your downloads folder after downloading it.
3. Click Yes to let the program start on the computer when the User Account Control window appears.
4. Choose your program's destination folder and accept the license and maintenance terms. Next, click Install to continue.
5. Click Malware Scan on the homepage of the Emergency Kit application to start the scanning process. The amount of time it takes for the program to scan your computer will depend on how many files you have and the hardware capabilities of your system.
6. Emsisoft Emergency Scanner will display a list of the files that the program has detected when the scan is complete. To get rid of threats from your computer, click on Quarantine selected.
7. To complete the malware removal procedure, Emsisoft Emergency Scanner may also ask you to restart your computer. Simply click Reboot your system to finish the process.
ESET Online Scanner is a program that is designed only to remove malware threats from your computer for free. It is simple to use and features an advanced malware detection system. There is no need for registration, free trials, or anything else. Simply download, execute, and remove the malware.
1. Download the most recent version of ESET Online Scanner.
2. After pressing the download button, the file (Esetonlinescanner.exe) should have been downloaded to your computer. It does not require any installations so you can simply run the aforementioned file.
3. Before using ESET Online Scanner, it must be initialized. Choose your preferred language and click Get started. Continue as directed by the screen until the homepage appears.
4. Click Computer scan from the homepage, then select Full scan from the three options available.
5. Give ESET Online Scanner the permission to detect and remove potentially unwanted apps by ticking the Enable option. After that, click Start scan to begin the scanning process.
6. Await the completion of the malware scan for your machine by the ESET Online Scanner. ESET Online Scanner would have automatically removed the threats it found after the scan. To complete the malware cleanup process, click Proceed.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware is well-known in the security field; they have helped many people with malware issues through their software, and downloading it will help you as well.
Note: We will only use the free version of Malwarebytes because it includes all of the capabilities we require.
1. Download the latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-malware.
2. Malwarebytes will start downloading (MBSetup.exe) the installation file. Run the executable after the download is complete.
3. To allow the program to execute, simply click Yes in the User Account Control window that may appear.
4. The Malwarebytes setup wizard will now open; select Install to continue.
5. You will be prompted by Malwarebytes to install the Browser Guard extension. Depending on whether you want it on your browser or not, you can choose to download it (the extension is completely free).
6. Please wait as the Malwarebytes Setup installs itself. Follow the on-screen instructions until you have successfully installed Malwarebytes.
7. Start by launching Malwarebytes Anti-malware for the first time after it has been installed. If you're installing Malwarebytes for the first time, you'll get a 14-day free trial of the premium version.
8. After the program takes you to the main dashboard, click the Scanner box in the middle to start scanning the computer.
9. You won't click Scan just yet when you get to the Scanner page. Rather, select Advanced scans as shown below.
10. In the Custom scan section, click Configure scan. We will be able to alter the way the software scans the computer as a result.
11. To detect hidden malware, click the box next to Scan for rootkits on the Configure Custom Scan screen. Additionally, to enable Malwarebytes to scan every drive on your computer, check the boxes next to each one.
12. Once the Custom Scan options have been adjusted, click the Start Custom Scan button to get started.
13. A side window displaying the computer scan's progress will appear. Please wait until Malwarebytes has completed its malware scan of the entire system.
14. Following the completion of the scan, a list of threats found will appear. Check the boxes near all the malicious files and get rid of them from the computer by clicking the Quarantine button.
If prompted, please restart your computer since Malwarebytes may require it.
System protection tips
As the saying goes: “The biggest vulnerability is the person behind the screen“
So, here are some tips and what you need to know in order to keep your device safe and malware-free in the long run.
Keep every software installed up to date
Make sure that all of the programs in your computer is up-to-date with the latest version released by the developer. The reason behind this is that these updates frequently tackle bugs and issues that malware actors often exploit.
The same goes for your computer's operating system, make sure Windows is up-to-date with the latest software update to prevent malware from exploiting a hidden vulnerability.
Avoid downloading files from unknown sources
One of the biggest sources of malware infection in a computer system is third-party installations. This happens when a user downloads a certain program from sources that are not the official download links. Some of the common types of sources where malware is present are torrent files, cracked software, and games.
Be careful with opening email attachments
Malware often disguises itself as resumes and quotations and threat actors often send thousands of these infected emails to company employees around the world in order to infiltrate their network.
Always check where your emails are coming from as there may be a chance that the project attachment you received via email did not actually come from a co-worker.
Do not visit unreputable websites
Avoid visiting websites that contain unfiltered advertisements such as illegal streaming websites, cracked software platforms, and links sent out to you by somebody you do not trust.
These sites are often linked to redirect chains that load once you click on an ad element on the page. Following this chain often leads to drive-by malware and phishing pages that an average user may eventually fail to notice.