Update To The Latest Version Of Flash Player POP-UP Scam (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" from Mac?
What is "Update to the latest version of Flash Player"?
Scammers use the "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" scam to trick people into believing that Flash Player is out of date, and to encourage them to download an installer of a fake Flash Player (which downloads various unwanted apps). This scam is distributed through a deceptive website that people usually visit unintentionally. Generally, users are forced to visit websites of this type by potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) that they download and install on their systems inadvertently. When installed, they open dubious pages, deploy advertisements, and gather data.
When visiting the website that promotes the "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" scam, a pop-up window is displayed informing users that their current version of Adobe Flash Player is out of date. When the pop-up is closed, the website opens another window stating that an installed plug-in (Flash Player) does not include latest security updates and cannot be used unless updated. To update it, people are encouraged to click the "Update" or "Download Flash..." button. Whichever button is clicked, a fake Flash Player installer is downloaded, which displays instructions about how to open/launch it from the Safari Downloads folder. If this installer is opened, it downloads various unwanted apps such as Mac-Tweak-Pro, Safe Finder or another unwanted app (browser hijacker) that promotes the weknow.ac fake search engine. Browser hijackers are usually responsible for redirects to rogue websites (such as the one that promotes the "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" scam).
When installed, these PUAs open deceptive/untrustworthy website and feed users with ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and others. When clicked, these ads open other dubious pages or run scripts designed to download unwanted apps. Furthermore, they are displayed through tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content of visited websites. PUAs also gather IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, and other information. Developers send the information to third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Note, some of these parties might include cyber criminals. Having these apps installed on your system might cause problems with online privacy, browsing safety, and so on. Some people might even end up having their identities stolen.
| Name | "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" virus |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac runs slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious 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 dubious 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. |
"Update to the latest version of Flash Player" is similar to many other scams of this type including, for example, "Fake Flash Player Update", "10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player", and "APPLE.COM RECOMMENDS". Websites that promote these scams should never be trusted. Typically, they are used to trick people into installing unwanted applications that cause various problems.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Most users are tricked into downloading and installing unwanted apps when software developers use the "bundling" method (see below) or people click various intrusive ads. To trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with other software, developers hide them in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options/settings of software installation (or download) set-ups. This method is called "bundling". In summary, developers include unwanted apps into set-ups but do not disclose information regarding their inclusion. Despite this, unwanted downloads and installations usually happen only when people leave settings unchanged or click intrusive ads designed to run scripts that download and install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Do not use third party software downloaders/installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites and other similar sources to download software. We recommend that you use only direct links and official websites. Furthermore, pay enough attention to software download or installation setup details and do not skip steps, especially if the software is ad-supportive or free. Check options/setting such as "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", and look for checkboxes ticked by default. Dismiss offers to download or install unwanted applications (bundled software). Avoid clicking intrusive ads (or suspicious "Download" buttons) that are displayed on dubious pages. These redirect to potentially malicious pages (such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on) or download unwanted software. If unwanted ads appear, or redirects happen often, this is probably due to installed PUAs. Check the list of installed extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins on your browser, and programs on the operating system. Uninstall all unwanted entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshot of a deceptive website displaying a pop-up window stating that the current Adobe Flash Player version is outdated:
Screenshot of a pop-up window encouraging the user to update/download a fake Adobe Flash Player:
Screenshot of a deceptive website displaying instructions about how to launch a fake Adobe Flash Player installation:
Messages in displayed in the "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" scam pop-up windows:
Update to the latest version of Flash Player. Your current Adobe Flash Player version is out of date.
The version of "adobe Flash Player" on your system does not include the latest security updates. Download an updated new version of "Adobe Flash Player".
"Adobe Flash Player" is an essential plugin for your browser that allows you to view everything from video to games and animation of the web. The version of "Adobe Flash Player" on your system does not include the lates security updates and has been blocked.
To continue using "Adobe Flash Player", download an updated version.
Screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is "Update to the latest version of Flash Player"?
- 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 unwanted applications promoted via the "Update to the latest version of Flash Player" pop-up scam using Combo Cleaner:
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 "update to the latest version of flash player" virus 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
"Update to the latest version of Flash Player" virus removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove "update to the latest version of flash player" virus related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove "update to the latest version of flash player" virus related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove "update to the latest version of flash player" virus related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!