How to avoid redirects to deceptive web pages that are a part of the Funnytues family
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove Funnytues from Mac computers
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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is Funnytues?
- 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 Funnytues websites 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 funnytues pop-up 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.
Funnytues pop-up removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove funnytues pop-up 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 funnytues pop-up 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 funnytues pop-up 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!
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