How to avoid redirects to deceptive web pages that are a part of the Funnytues family
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Funnytues?
Funnytues is the name of a family of websites that promote dubious applications. They display fake notifications stating that the visitor's computer is infected with viruses. To remove 'detected' viruses, visitors are encouraged to download a dubious app.
In this particular case, the advertised app is Smart Mac Booster, which is categorized as potentially unwanted app (PUA), since people download and install it unintentionally, or they are tricked by websites that belong to the Funnytues family (or other similar web pages).
Do not download or install applications that are distributed through deceptive websites. If a browser opens these sites automatically, a PUA is likely to be already installed on it.
When opened, the Funnytues website displays a pop-up window, which notifies visitors that their Mac computers are infected with a virus that was installed through another web page supposedly visited earlier that day.
Once this pop-up is closed, this deceptive site displays a table, which contains information about the visitor's device, such as operating system, browser and version, IP address, internet service provider, and location. It encourages users to perform a full scan and remove harmful files, supposedly by clicking the "Scan Now" button.
Once the button is clicked, this web page starts a fake scanning process, which detects a virus called "Bankworm". It suggests removal of this virus by clicking the "REMOVE VIRUS NOW" button. This leads to download of the "maccleaner.pkg" file, which, at the time of research, was designed to install Smart Mac Booster.
In fact, Funnytues websites and "maccleaner.pkg" can also be used to distribute other unwanted apps. For example, Qbit Mac Optimizer, Qbit Mac Cleaner, and K9-MacOptimizer. In any case, we advise against downloading or installing software that is advertised on Funnytues web pages and other similar, deceptive websites.
Browsers commonly open untrustworthy, deceptive websites when PUAs are installed on them. In addition to causing redirects to dubious web pages, these apps often feed users with ads and gather information. For example, they display pop-up ads, banners, surveys, coupons, and so on.
If clicked, these open dubious websites or execute scripts that download or install potentially unwanted or malicious apps. Collected data usually includes users' IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, and so on. PUAs can also track sensitive information.
The people behind these apps send the data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
| Name | Funnytues pop-up |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Fake Claim | Funnytues web pages claim that computers are infected with viruses that must be removed immediately. |
| Detection Names (prize7477.funnytues104[.]live) | BitDefender (Malware), Fortinet (Spam), Spamhaus (Spam), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 176.119.1.201 |
| Related Domains | Full list below. |
| Promoted Unwanted Application | Smart Mac Booster |
| 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. |
Funnytues websites are similar to others that are part of Funnymonday, Fridaylifeis, Wedyoulife, and other families of deceptive sites. Generally, they are used to trick people into downloading and installing dubious applications, which supposedly remove fake viruses.
No software that is advertised through these pages can be trusted. Typically, these websites are opened when people click dubious ads or when they have PUAs installed on their browsers.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Most users download and install PUAs inadvertently when they click intrusive advertisements or software developers trick them using the "bundling" method. "Bundling" is a deceptive marketing method used to trick people into downloading and/or installing unwanted apps together with regular software.
Developers include PUAs in download/installation set-ups and hide offers to download or install these additional apps in "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings. When people leave these settings unchanged, they allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed with regular software by default.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Download software and files only from official, trustworthy websites. Do not use third party downloaders or installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, unofficial, dubious websites, and so on. If a software setup contains settings such as "Advanced" or "Custom", check these carefully and deselect offers to download and install additional, unwanted software.
If clicked, many intrusive advertisements redirect people to untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations. Typically, these ads are displayed on dubious pages including, for example, those relating to adult dating, pornography, gambling, and so on.
Check for any unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on the browser and programs on the computer. Remove them immediately. 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 pop-up of a Funnytues web page:
VIRUS FOUND
A website you visited today has infected your Mac with a virus.
Press OK to begin the repair process.
Screenshot of a second Funnytues web page:
Text in this page:
VIRUS FOUND
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: Safari 12.0.1
IP: 85.206.10.62
Provider: Telia Lietuva, AB
Location: - LT
Scan Now
Screenshot of a third Funnytues web page:
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
REMOVE VIRUS NOW
Appearance of Funnytues scam (GIF):
List of websites related to the Funnytues family:
| funnytues10[.]live | funnytues31[.]live | funnytues7[.]live |
| funnytues102[.]live | funnytues46[.]live | funnytues78[.]live |
| funnytues104[.]live | funnytues47[.]live | funnytues8[.]live |
| funnytues113[.]live | funnytues54[.]live | funnytues83[.]live |
| funnytues114[.]live | funnytues56[.]live | funnytues85[.]live |
| funnytues118[.]live | funnytues59[.]live | funnytues87[.]live |
| funnytues16[.]live | funnytues6[.]live | funnytues91[.]live |
| funnytues21[.]live | funnytues61[.]live | funnytues93[.]live |
| funnytues24[.]live | funnytues62[.]live | funnytues97[.]live |
| funnytues27[.]live | funnytues64[.]live | funnytues98[.]live |
| funnytues30[.]live | funnytues66[.]live | funnytues99[.]live |
Installer of Smart Mac Booster:
Smart Mac Booster app:
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 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 Funnytues 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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