Do not download files from the startmostnewestprogram.icu scam website

What is startmostnewestprogram[.]icu?

startmostnewestprogram[.]icu encourages visitors to download and install a new version of Adobe Flash Player. In fact, it downloads the installer of a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Typically, websites such as startmostnewestprogram[.]icu are designed to trick people into installing PUAs including adware, browser hijackers, or even malicious programs like ransomware, trojans, and so on. We strongly advise against installing any software downloaded from startmostnewestprogram[.]icu or other deceptive, untrustworthy websites.

When visited, startmostnewestprogram[.]icu displays a pop-up window with an offer to download a new version of Adobe Flash Player and update the currently installed version. This page actually downloads a file named "FPlayer.zip", which contains the "FPSetup.dmg" file, supposedly the installer of a new Adobe Flash Player version.

As mentioned, websites such as startmostnewestprogram[.]icu download installers of various PUAs. In some cases, the installers infect systems with various malware. They often install adware and/or browser hijackers. If installed, adware displays various advertisements such as coupons, banners, pop-up ads, surveys, and so on.

If clicked, these open untrustworthy web pages or run scripts that download and/or install potentially malicious software. Browser hijackers are programs that usually promote the addresses of fake search engines by changing certain browser settings. Most gather browsing data and other information that might contain sensitive, personal details.

Adware can also be designed to gather various data. People behind these PUAs sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Sites such as startmostnewestprogram[.]icu sometimes offer download of files that install malicious software (ransomware, Trojans, and other high-risk malware).

Software of this type can lead to monetary and/or data loss, identity theft, problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, installation of other malware, and other serious problems. These are the main reasons why you should avoid websites such as startmostnewestprogram[.]icu

Threat Summary:

Name	startmostnewestprogram.icu pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	This web page suggests that there is a new version of Adobe Flash Player, which it encourages visitors to download and install.
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	34.202.53.95
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.

startmostnewestprogram[.]icu is not the only website that is designed to trick people into installing unwanted, potentially malicious software through a fake Adobe Flash Player updater/installer. Other examples include startmostoriginalprogram[.]icu, mainsourceofupgrade[.]best and yourfine2upgradesfree[.]best.

The only safe way to download and update software is using websites and/or tools provided by official developers. If the browser opens pages like startmostnewestprogram[.]icu automatically, it is very likely that a PUA is already installed on the browser or operating system.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Typically, people cause download/installations of unwanted applications by clicking deceptive advertisements or downloading and/or installing software without checking settings available in the set-ups. Developers commonly include unwanted apps in download/installation set-ups of other software that people wish to download and/or install intentionally.

In most cases, information about the inclusion of PUAs in set-ups can be found in settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and so on.

This distribution method of potentially unwanted software is called "bundling". It works when people leave the aforementioned settings unchanged - in doing so, they grant PUAs permission to be downloaded and/or installed through the setups of regular programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download all software from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other channels of this kind. The same applies to installation through third party installers.

Check all settings such as "Advanced" and "Custom" included in download or installation setups, and decline offers to download/install unwanted software. Do not click intrusive ads, especially if they are shown on dubious websites. These can open untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

If there are unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons or plug-ins) installed on the browser, they should be removed immediately. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. 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 the main pop-up window:

Software Update

 

Flash Player Update
Download new version

 

Update now

Flash Player is an essential plugin for your browser that allows you to view everything from video to games and animation on the web.

Flash Player supports several data formats including AMF, SWF, XML and JSON. The multimedia formats which are supported by Flash Player include .MP3, .FLV, .JPEG, .GIF, .PNG and .RTMP.

 

Other supported features include accelerated graphics rendering, multi-thread video decoding and webcam support.

 

Later Install

Appearance of startmostnewestprogram[.]icu scam (GIF):

Screenshot of a fake installation setup of Adobe Flash Player:

Another screenshot of a fake installation setup of Adobe Flash Player:

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 startmostnewestprogram.icu 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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