Specif1c.com POP-UP Redirect (Mac)

What is specif1c.com?

specif1c.com is a rogue website designed to redirect users to various websites and deliver dubious content. It is virtually identical to hadmatontrin.com, dartsearch.net, getmacsoft.com, and many others.

Most visitors arrive at this website without consent - they are redirected by intrusive advertisements (displayed by other rogue sites) or potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

In most cases, PUAs infiltrate computers without users’ permission. In addition to causing redirects, these applications deliver intrusive advertisements and monitor browsing activity by gathering various user-system information.

After successful infiltration, unwanted applications force-open new browser tabs/windows and redirect users to specif1c.com. This website then immediately checks the victim's IP address to obtain the geo-location. This determines whether to display certain content or to cause additional redirects. In some cases, specif1c.com does both.

Users might then encounter malicious content. Thus, redirects to and from specif1c.com can lead to various system infections.

As mentioned above, PUAs also deliver intrusive advertisements such as coupons, banners, and pop-ups - these are just some examples from many of the delivered ads, which are also likely to redirect to malicious sites and even run scripts designed to download/install other unwanted apps. Clicking them can also result in various computer infections.

In addition, intrusive advertisements are delivered using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they often conceal underlying content, thereby diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, virtually all potentially unwanted applications record information such as IP addresses, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details relating to browsing activity. Personally identifiable information might also be collected.

Recorded data is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information. Thus, the presence of data-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate all potentially unwanted applications immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	specif1c.com pop-up
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are hundreds of unwanted applications, all of which are virtually identical. Developers present them as legitimate and useful tools that supposedly provide "useful features", however, these claims are merely attempts (often successful) to trick users to install.

In fact, few PUAs provide the functions promised. They usually have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs generally cause unwanted redirects, generate advertisements, and record personal data.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

In some cases, potentially unwanted applications have official download/promotion websites, however, developers also proliferate them using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, as mentioned above, these applications often infiltrate computers without permission.

"Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software. Developers are not honest enough to adequately disclose installation of third party software.

Therefore, all "bundled" apps are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often rush these procedures and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. Therefore, to prevent system infiltration by PUAs, be very careful during the download/installation processes and when browsing the internet. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation processes.

Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. We also advise you to avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers often monetize them by promoting ("bundling") rogue apps. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, however, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar). If you experience these ads, check the list of installed applications/browser plug-ins and remove all suspicious entries.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of "specif1c.com" scam (GIF):

IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications.

Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

Google Chrome (PC):

• Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Google Chrome (Android):

• Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
• Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
• Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and click "Block"

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Options" 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"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"

Internet Explorer:

• Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
• Select "Internet options"
• Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
• Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button

Microsoft Edge:

• Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
• Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
• Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
• Click "Manage" under "Notifications"
• Click the switch under each suspicious website

Safari:

• Click "Safari" button on the bottom of the screen and select "Preferences..."
• Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
• Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each

Instant automatic Mac 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 Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac 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. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is specif1c.com?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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