Remove unwanted applications promoted via the Checkingforward pop-up scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Checkingforward?
Checkingforward is a deceptive, scam website used to advertise the Smart Mac Booster app. The site is used to trick people into downloading and installing this app using deception: when opened, the site claims that the computer is infected with malware and offers to install the app to remove the 'detected threat'.
Do not trust software advertised through scam websites. If the browser opens a web page of this type, simply ignore the text and close it.
At first, this scam site displays a pop-up window stating that a site visited earlier infected the Mac with a virus. Visitors are encouraged to begin the repair process. The next page contains device information such as MacOS version, browser used, IP address, name of ISP and location.
It then encourages users to scan the system by clicking the "Scan Now" button and runs a fake scan, which 'detects' a virus named "Bankworm" and offers to remove it with Advanced Mac Cleaner (another dubious app). In fact, when the "REMOVE VIRUS NOW" button is clicked, this scam site opens another website, which is a download page of the Smart Mac Booster app.
Neither these scam websites nor the apps advertised through them can be trusted. If a browser opens websites of this type, a potentially unwanted application is likely to be installed on the browser or operating system.
PUAs usually open dubious web pages, display unwanted/intrusive ads and collect data. There are many apps of this type that feed users with coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other ads. People who click them are usually redirected to dubious sites or they trigger download/installation of other unwanted applications.
Additionally, many PUAs gather data, including, for example, users' geolocations, IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and other information relating to browsing activities. Developers who create these apps usually share the information with other parties who misuse it to generate revenue.
Note, that there is a strong possibility that gathered information might contain personal details, which could be received by cyber criminals.
| Name | Checkingforward pop-up |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Fake Claim | According to this scam, MacOS operating system is infected with the Bankworm virus. |
| Promoted Unwanted Application | Smart Mac Booster |
| Related Domains | best1539.checkingforward54[.]life |
| Serving IP Address (best1539.checkingforward54[.]life) | 92.63.192.135 |
| Detection Names (best1539.checkingforward54[.]life) | Fortinet (Spam), Spamhaus (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Checkingforward is very similar or identical to Fastsearchday, Falseortruerdr, and many other scam web pages. Frequently, these pages are used to trick people into download/installation of unwanted applications. Scam pages and apps advertised on them cannot be trusted.
PUAs responsible for opening these pages are all very similar: they help the developers to generate revenue by showing unwanted ads, opening dubious pages, and gathering user-system information. We strongly recommend that you uninstall these apps immediately, since they can lead to problems with privacy, browsing safety, or even lead to installation of malware.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Most PUAs are downloaded/installed through other, usually free software that most people download and install intentionally. Developers try to trick people into downloading/installing PUAs by including them into the set-ups of other software.
In most cases, information about the inclusion of additional downloads/installations is placed in setup options such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. Users who fail to check and change the settings often allow PUAs to be download and installed with the chosen software. Clicking intrusive advertisements can lead to unintentional downloads and installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software from official, trustworthy websites. Tools/sources such as third party downloaders, torrent clients, eMule (other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites, and so on, should never be trusted/used. Check "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings of software setups, especially if the program is free.
When downloading or installing software, deselect offers to download/install additional (bundled) applications and only then complete the setup. Advertisements that are displayed on untrustworthy/unofficial websites (relating to pornography, gambling, adult dating, and so on) should not be clicked. Generally, they lead to untrustworthy/potentially malicious websites.
If unwanted redirects or advertisements occur often, remove unwanted, suspicious apps (plug-ins, add-ons, extensions) installed on the browser and operating system. Also remove any software of this type from 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 the Checkingforward pop-up window:
VIRUS FOUND
A website you visited today has infected your Mac with a virus.
Press OK to begin the repair process.
Second page of the Checkingforward scam:
Text in this page:
A website you have visited today has infected your Mac with a virus. A full system scan is now required to find and remove harmful files or applications from your Mac OS X 10_13_6 device.
DEVICE INFORMATION
Brand: Apple
Device: Mac OS X 10_13_6
Browser: Chrome 76.0.3809.100
IP: -
Provider: -
Location: -
Third page of the Checkingforward scam:
Text in this page:
DOWNLOAD REQUIRED
Please download the Advanced Mac Cleaner application to remove Bankworm from your Mac.
VIRUS INFORMATION
Virus Name: Bankworm
Risk: HIGH
Infected File: /os/apps/worm.icv
VIRUS REMOVAL
Application: Advanced Mac Cleaner
Rating: 9.9/10
Price: Free
Smart Mac Booster download page:
Smart Mac Booster app:
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 Checkingforward 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.
Outstanding!
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