Avoid downloading files from bambootornado.pw

What is bambootornado[.]pw?

Bambootornado[.]pw is a website that should not be trusted, it encourages visitors to update Adobe Flash Player with a fake updater. Its installation includes two potentially unwanted applications (PUAs): an adware-type app called MyCouponsmart and another shady app called Media Player.

Typically, browsers open websites like bambootornado[.]pw by themselves (people do not visit them willingly). However, mostly when there is some PUA installed on them.

Once bambootornado[.]pw is visited, a window pops up saying that a version of Adobe Flash Player that is installed on the operating system does not include the latest update. In order to continue using Adobe Flash Player visitors supposed to download an update it by clicking the "Update" button.

If clicked, it downloads the Adobe Flash Player.dmg file which is designed to install MyCouponsmart and some other PUA called Media Player. As we mentioned in the introduction, MyCouponsmart is categorized as adware. Programs of this type display ads in forms of banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups, etc.

People who click such ads usually get redirected to untrustworthy websites, including pages like bambootornado[.]pw. Some of those ads may be designed to scripts that cause downloads or even installations of various unwanted applications. Moreover, quite often adware-type apps are designed to gather browsing data and other information.

For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, geolocations, and so on. Adware developers tend to sell collected data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. It is possible that some of the data that is recorded by adware-type app like MyCouponsmart could contain confidential, sensitive information.

Either way, it is not safe to have any adware installed, apps of this type can be the reason behind unwanted downloads, installations, identity theft, problems related to privacy, browsing safety, and so on.

Threat Summary:

Name	bambootornado.pw pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	This website claims that the version of installed Adobe Flash Player is out of date.
Detection Names	Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	157.185.177.205
Promoted Unwanted Application	MyCouponsmart, Media Player
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.

It is very common for adware to be distributed through various fake updaters, installers of Adobe Flash Player. Here are some examples of other deceptive websites that are designed to trick people into installing PUAs through fake updaters/installers of Adobe Flash Player: yourfine4upgradefree[.]best, preciseeditor.pw and mainsiteofupgradenow[.]best.

It is worth mentioning that those updaters could be designed to install malware as well, for example, ransomware, Trojan. As we mentioned in the introduction, quite often deceptive websites that are designed to trick people into unwanted downloads and installations get opened by browsers that have some PUA installed on them.

Typically, people do not download and install apps of this type knowingly, intentionally.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

It is known that developers often distribute PUAs by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They include unwanted apps in download and/or installation setups of other, usually free programs and present them as additional offers.

However, information about additional downloads and/or installations is usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of setups.

As a rule, people allow for PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed when they leave those settings unchanged. Additionally, PUAs can be downloaded and/or installed through deceptive ads. There are ads that, if clicked, execute certain scripts that download and/or install some unwanted software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

We recommend to download software only from official, trustworthy websites. Other sources (or tools) such as Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule and so on), unofficial web pages, third party downloaders, installers etc., should not be used.

Another important thing is to check all settings (like "Custom", "Advanced") that are included in any download or installation setup and dismiss offers to download or install unwanted software. We also advise not to click intrusive advertisements, especially the ones that are displayed on questionable websites.

Ads of this kind usually cause redirects to potentially malicious websites or downloads, installations of unwanted applications. If unwanted redirects happen randomly (or intrusive advertisements appear on any visited website), then we recommend to see if there are any unwanted apps (extensions, add-ons or plug-ins) installed on a browser or programs on the operating system.

All software of this kind should be removed as soon as possible. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text in a pop-up and background page:

Adobe Flash Player Installer

 

Update your Flash Player in order to continue

 

The version of "Adobe Flash Player" on your system does not include the latest flash update and has been blocked. To continue using "Adobe Flash Player", download an update version.

 

Restore Update OK

 

The download process will be performed by launching mediadownloader, which is a platform for the installation of software ("Installer"). The Installer may include suggestions for the installation of additional free software offers ("Offers"), alongside the Flash installation. You may choose to install the offers during the installation process. You may also remove the offers after you have chosen to install them. IP address will be logged for analytics and fraud detection reasons and will be deleted from our records after 24 hours. You can download Flash without using the Installer from its original site. Your use of the Installer is subject to the Installer's Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. The Installer is not associated or endorsed by Flash. Uninstall

Appearance of bambootornado[.]pw scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the fake Adobe Flash Updater with MyCouponsmart and Media Player unwanted apps included in its setup:

Examples of other websites (conandonor[.]pw, correctfreddie[.]host and rudolfsolid[.]host) displaying the exact same scam message:

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 bambootornado.pw 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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