Remove redirects to apple.com-shield-devices.live

What is apple.com-shield-devices[.]live?

apple.com-shield-devices[.]live (or "apple.com-shield-device[.]live") is a deceptive website used to promote a potentially unwanted application (PUA). When opened, the site states that it has detected viruses and encourages visitors to remove them with the Cleanup My Mac app.

Do not trust this web page or the app advertised on it. This is simply a scam site used to trick people into installing one of many dubious applications. These sites are often opened by PUAs, which are already installed on operating systems or browsers.

Initially, apple.com-shield-devices[.]live displays a pop-up window stating that this website has detected a trojan virus called e.tre456_worm_osx. Visitors are encouraged to begin the 'repair process' immediately.

The text behind the pop-up window states that apple.com-shield-devices[.]live has found traces of two malware infections and one phishing/spyware computer infection. Unless these are removed, they apparently might cause loss of photos, apps, and other files. It is stated that the visitor's banking information is also at risk.

To avoid any further damage, users are encouraged to click the "Scan Now" button, which starts a fake scan. This detects the "Tapsnake", "CronDNS", and "Dubfishicv" viruses. A "REMOVE VIRUSES NOW" button supposedly downloads an application called Advanced Mac Cleaner, however, it actually downloads the aforementioned Cleanup My Mac PUA.

In any case, do not trust apps offered on deceptive sites, including apple.com-shield-devices[.]live

apple.com-shield-devices[.]live is commonly opened through other dubious web pages or through installed PUAs, which often collect data and serve users with unwanted ads. They record users' geolocations, IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites and other similar browsing-related information.

Developers share the data with other parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Additionally, these PUAs display ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on.

If clicked, they open dubious web pages (including apple.com-shield-devices[.]live) or run scripts that download/install unwanted software. If PUAs are installed, they can cause problems with browsing safety, privacy, or even identity theft. For these reasons, we recommend that you uninstall all PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	apple.com-shield-devices.live pop-up
Threat Type	Scam, Phishing, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	The website delivers a fake message claiming that system is infected and encourages users to download a dubious system cleaner
Serving IP Address	95.179.146.120
Promoted Unwanted Application	Cleanup My Mac
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display 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. ▼ 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.

apple.com-shield-devices[.]live is similar to other sites of this type including, for example, apple.com-scan-mac[.]live, apple.com-shield[.]live, and apple.com-monitor[.]live.

All attempt to trick people into believing that their computers are infected with viruses that can be removed with dubious apps. Apps that cause redirects to these websites are usually promoted as legitimate tools, however, most simply cause problems.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

One of the most common ways used to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs is to bundle them into set-ups of regular software. Typically, developers do not disclose information about additionally-included PUAs properly and they hide them in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of software installation/download set-ups.

Furthermore, people who download/install software without checking the available setup options often allow PUAs to be downloaded/installed. Clicking intrusive ads can also lead to unintentional download and installation of unwanted apps - these ads might run scripts designed cause download and installation of various PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download applications from official, trustworthy websites and use only direct download links. Avoid using dubious sites, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients or eMule, third party downloaders, installers and other such tools. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options of the download or installation setup.

Deselect any offers to download or install additional programs before completing the setup. If intrusive ads appear regularly or the browser causes redirects to dubious sites, check the list of installed applications (add-ons, plug-ins, extensions) on your browser and remove all unknown, unwanted entries immediately.

Also apply this to unwanted programs installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in pop-up window and the apple.com-shield-devices[.]live website:

Text in a pop-up:

 

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

We have detected a trojan virus (e.tre456_worm_osx) on your Mac.

Press OK to begin the repair process.

 

Text in a page:

Your system is infected with 3 viruses! Monday, June 17, 2019 11:59 AM

Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses. Our security check found traces of 2 malware and 1 phishing/spyware. System damage: 28.1% - Immediate removal required!

The immediate removal of the viruses is required to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mac with MacOS 10.14 Mojave.

Personal and banking information is at risk.

To avoid more damage click on 'Scan Now' immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!
4 minute and 15 seconds remaining before damage is permanent.

Scan Now

apple.com-shield-devices[.]live displays fake virus scan results:

Text on this web page:

DOWNLOAD REQUIRED
Your Mac is heavily damaged! (33.2%)
Please download the Advanced Mac Cleaner application to remove 3 Viruses from your Mac.
VIRUS INFORMATION

Virus Name: Tapsnake; CronDNS; Dubfishicv
Risk: HIGH
Infected Files: /os/apps/hidden/os-component/X/snake.icv; /os/local/conf/keyboard/retype.icv...
REMOVE VIRUSES NOW
VIRUS REMOVAL

Application: Advanced Mac Cleaner
Rating: 9.9/10
Price: Free

Screenshot of the Cleanup My Mac app:

Appearance of apple.com-shield-devices[.]live scam (GIF):

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 apple.com-shield-devices.live pop-up?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

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