Avoid downloading fake Flash updates from mainspotupdatesfreenew.info

What is mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info?

mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info is a website running a scam designed to promote fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Visitors are warned that their Flash Player is outdated, missing the latest security updates and must be updated immediately. Rogue software updaters are used to spread a variety of untrustworthy/malicious content.

They are commonly employed to proliferate Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) such as adware and browser hijackers, and even malware including trojans, ransomware, etc. Most users visit mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info inadvertently when redirected by intrusive ads or PUAs already infiltrated into the system.

Visitors to mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info are presented with several pop-up windows containing thematically identical messages. The top of the page states that the latest version of Flash Player is necessary to encode and/or decode audio files in high quality.

To play such files, users are urged to install the latest updates. The pop-up in the center of the web page recommends updates for streaming and watching content online. As Adobe Flash Player is an essential browser plug-in that enables users to watch media (video, audio) and games online, it must be updated.

Since it supposedly lacks the latest security updates, it is stated that the software has been blocked and cannot perform the aforementioned functions. Another pop-up, which overlays that previously described, yet again states that the Adobe Flash Player plug-in installed on the device is out-of-date, and without the newest updates can no longer be used.

The window at the bottom-right corner of mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info reiterates that Flash Player needs to be updated for users to continue watching online media. Each of these pop-ups has "Download/Update" buttons - clicking on any initiates download of the fake updater.

The scam site then provides instructions about how to install the updates. Users are instructed to open the downloads list and double-click the recently downloaded "Flash Player" file. They must then confirm installation by clicking "Continue and Install", and type their password.

This is not a genuine Adobe Flash Player updater and will not update the plug-in (as mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info claims). In fact, it will install unwanted and/or malicious software.

You are strongly advised against trusting this website or others like it. Downloading/Installing and/or purchasing anything that these web pages promote can lead to serious problems, ranging from browsing and system infiltration/infections, to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

One of the main causes of redirects to untrustworthy and malicious websites are PUAs, however, apps within this classification have other dangerous capabilities as well. They can run intrusive advertisement campaigns. I.e., deliver harmful ads that diminish the browsing experience.

Some can make specific modifications to browsers and deny access to settings, and/or reset any user changes made. Fake system cleaners/optimizers are also a type of PUA. They are presented as legitimate software capable of detecting/removing threats and/or otherwise improving system operation.

They generally need to be purchased (even though they are often advertised as "free"). After purchase, however, they remain nonoperational.

Regardless of their other capabilities/specifications, PUAs are usually capable of tracking data. They can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

This private data can then be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers at users' expense. PUAs are thus useless to regular users and can lead to various issues.

To ensure device and user safety, you are advised to remove all suspect applications immediately upon detection.

Deceptive/scam sites are common. Examples include yourultimatesafevideoplayer.info, mainsourceofupdates.best, and yourfine2upgradesfree.best, all of which are practically identical to mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info. These schemes are furthered through the use of social engineering and scare tactics to encourage users into performing certain actions.

By claiming that an essential piece of software is outdated/missing, the device is infected, or users have won a prize, the scams attempt to trick people into taking immediate action.

This might be downloading/installing/purchasing content, making high-toll calls to fake technical support, paying for "services rendered", revealing personal information, making monetary transactions and so on. Therefore, use caution when browsing and research what you are planning to download. Treat all personal information with care.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Rogue updaters are just one way that PUAs proliferate. They can be downloaded/installed with other products as well. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular content with unwanted or malicious software.

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, etc.) endangers devices with system infiltration and infections.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages (which are often endorsed by deceptive sites). Intrusive advertisements also proliferate these applications. When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Research products, before downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download sources. Untrustworthy channels such as P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting websites and other third party downloaders can offer bundled content and should not be used.

Do not update software with third party updaters, as they can install unwanted and/or malicious applications. Treat download/installation processes with care. Read the terms, explorer all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of downloading/installing supplementary apps, tools, features and so on.

Intrusive ads typically seem normal and innocuous, however, they can redirect to highly dubious pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all suspicious 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 Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in the pop-up windows initially presented by mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info:

Top pop-up:

 

Latest version of Flash Player is required to encode and/or decode (Play) audio files in high quality. - Click here to update for latest version.

 

------

Center pop-up:

 

Software update
Recommended Update  
For streaming and online watching
Update now
 
"Adobe Flash Player" is an essential plugin for your browser that allows you to view everything from video to games and animation on the web. The version of “Adobe Flash Player" on your system does not include the latest security updates and has been blocked.

To continue using “Adobe Flash Player", download an updated version.
Download Flash... Update

 

------

Bottom-right pop-up:

 

Flash Player Update REQUIRED
Install latest version of Adobe Flash Player in order to continue watching.
Download

Screenshot of the second pop-up displayed in the middle of the page (overlaying the initial center pop-up):

Text presented in this pop-up:

“Adobe Flash Player” is out-of-date

The version of this plug-in on your computer doesn't include the latest security updates. Flash cannot be used until you download an update from Adobe.

Update Download Flash...

Screenshot of instructions provided by mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info about how to install the fake updater:

Text presented in this page:

1

Go to the ‘Downloads’
Open your downloads list by
clicking on the top right corner
the ‘arrow’.

 

2

Open the file
Locate and double-click the file
starting with ‘Flash Player’.

 

3

Run the application
Confirm the installation by clicking
Continue and Install
buttons.
Type your password.

Appearance of mainspotupdatesfreenew[.]info scam (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is mainspotupdatesfreenew.info 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 Windows.

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 Windows) - 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.