Avoid being scammed by nothsws websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove "Nothsws" from Mac computers
What is "Nothsws"?
Nothsws is a family of scam websites, which are designed to promote dubious software. They operate by warning users of a supposed 'threat' detected on their devices and recommending Smart Mac Booster for its removal. No web page can find threats/issues on systems. Therefore, the problems they claim to find are false and any apps they endorse are often bogus and nonoperational. Victims rarely access Nothsws websites intentionally - most are redirected by Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already present on their devices.
Nothsws first displays a pop-up window. The message within it informs users that a site they visited earlier has infected their MacOS (Mac Operating System). Clicking "OK" will allegedly begin the removal process. Once this window is closed, Nothsws shows a different web page reiterating the alert and urging users to perform a full system scan, which will apparently locate and remove harmful apps/files. It also lists the visitor's Mac details, such as device brand, OS version, browser, IP address, Internet provider and location. Once the instructions have been followed, a fake system scan is initiated. This "detects" the "Bankworm" virus, and Nothsws then requests users to download Advanced Mac Cleaner for elimination of it from the MacOS. The "REMOVE VIRUS NOW" button redirects to the promotional web page of Smart Mac Booster. The download process of this application leads to the maccleaner.pkg file, which is typically used to spread PUAs. You are strongly advised against installing this file. Due to its questionable proliferation methods, Smart Mac Booster is classified as a PUA. There are many bogus apps similar to Smart Mac Booster including, for example, MacCleansePro, K9-MacOptimizer, Mac Space Reviver, etc. They usually need to be purchased to become active and perform their advertised functions. Even after activation, however, they often remain nonoperational.
Most PUAs share common traits. They often seem legitimate and lure users to install with offers of "useful" and "beneficial" features. These features are rarely operational. Even if they do work, it is not as promised. The only purpose of unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers - they have no genuine value to regular users. PUAs cause redirects to untrustworthy and malicious sites. They can also deliver intrusive advertisements and hijack browsers. PUAs often have data tracking capabilities. They record users' browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This gathered data is then shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain. In summary, PUAs can lead to browser and system infiltration/infections and to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Nothsws pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Fake Claim | Nothsws sites claim that the visitor's device is infected with a virus and encourages them to download cleaning software. |
| Detection Names | BitDefender (Malware), Kaspersky (Malware), G-Data (Phishing), Sophos AV (Malicious), 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. |
The internet is rife with deceptive web pages. For example, Zxcvc, Vnbue, and Sundayfunny are all scam site families identical to Nothsws. They tend to use scare tactics to trick visitors into downloading/installing and/or purchasing their promoted software. They warn users of supposed threats/issues present on the device and offer untrustworthy applications to deal with the "detected" problems. Most users enter these websites unintentionally - they are redirected by intrusive advertisements or PUAs.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs often proliferate via the download/install set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of packing normal software with unwanted and/or malicious content is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of allowing bundled software onto devices. Some PUAs, such as Smart Mac Booster, also have "official" download web pages. Intrusive ads also proliferate these apps. Once clicked, they stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Research all content, before downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download sources. Avoid Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting sites, third party downloaders and similar - they are untrusted. Treat download/Installation processes with caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and decline offers to download/install supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate and harmless, however, when clicked, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others). If you experience these ads/redirects, inspect the system and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. 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 Nothsws pop-up window:
VIRUS FOUND
A website you visited today has infected your Mac with a virus.
Press OK to begin the repair process.
Screenshot of Nothsws second page:
Text presented 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 Nothsws fake scan results:
Text presented 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 Nothsws scam (GIF):
List of domains related to the Nothsws website family:
| nothsws110[.]live |
| nothsws113[.]live |
| nothsws45[.]live |
| nothsws56[.]live |
| nothsws65[.]live |
| nothsws76[.]live |
| nothsws89[.]live |
| nothsws9[.]live |
| nothsws95[.]live |
Screenshot of Smart Mac Booster installation setup:
Screenshot of Smart Mac Booster application:
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 "Nothsws"?
- 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 Nothsws 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 nothsws 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.
Nothsws pop-up removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove nothsws 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 nothsws 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 nothsws 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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