How to stop browsers opening fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu

How to remove apps downloaded from fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu on Mac computers

What is fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu?

fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu is one of many deceptive websites that offer download and installation of the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. In fact, they download the installers of various potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Some might download malicious files designed to infect systems with high-risk malware. We strongly recommend against downloading files from fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu or other similar websites offering updates to Adobe Flash Player or other legitimate software.

When opened, fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu displays a pop-up window with an offer to download a new Adobe Flash Player version. At the time of research, however, it downloaded a ZIP file containing a file named "MediaDownloaderd.dmg". This is the installer of a PUA called Media Player (a.k.a MediaDownloader Video Player). It is likely that this PUA operates as adware - software that feeds users with intrusive advertisements. Typically, apps of this type display ads (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads) that conceal underlying content of most/all visited web pages. Furthermore, if clicked, they usually open various untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites. In some cases, the ads execute scripts designed to download and/or install other PUAs. Websites such as fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu are commonly designed to trick people into downloading the installers of other PUAs. For example, browser hijackers. In most cases, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings. PUAs of this type often collect browsing-related (and other) data. For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited web pages, geolocations, etc. In some cases, they record personal details. Websites that offer to update Adobe Flash Player sometimes download installers that infect systems with ransomware, Trojans, and other high-risk malware. Therefore, having a computer infected with such malware can lead to serious problems such as identity theft, monetary, data loss, problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and so on. Do not download any software or files from fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu or other, similar sites.

Threat Summary:

Name	fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	This web page claims that there is a new version of Adobe Flash Player that can be downloaded from it.
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal).
Serving IP Address	3.219.103.134
Promoted Unwanted Application	Media Player (MediaDownloader Video 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 three days free trial available.

There are many other web pages similar to fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu. Some examples include operateuberdevelopedprogram[.]icu, operatedevelopeduberprogram[.]icu and installcompletelyspeedyprogram[.]icu. Typically, people do not visit these sites intentionally - they are redirected to them through other rogue pages, clicked deceptive ads, or PUAs already installed on the browser and/or operating system.

How did potentially unwanted applications become installed on my computer?

In most cases, this happens when people click dubious, deceptive advertisements or download and/or install various software without checking the settings (in the setup). In many cases, developers have successfully tricked people into downloading and/or installing PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They distribute PUAs in this way by including unwanted apps into the set-ups of software (usually free). They place offers to download and/or install unwanted apps into settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. When people download and/or install software without checking or changing these settings, they often download/install their software with additional PUAs included in the setup.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download all software from official and trustworthy websites and avoid third party downloaders, installers, unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule) and other channels of this type to download/install software. Check all download/installation settings ("Custom", "Advanced") available in the setup - these often include additional offers to download/install unwanted software (dismiss these before finishing the process). Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious web pages (e.g, adult dating, gambling, pornography). Typically, they open untrustworthy websites or cause download/installation of unwanted, potentially malicious programs. In most cases, browsers can be prevented from displaying ads and/or causing redirects to dubious sites by removing all unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons. Also remove programs of this kind from operating systems. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

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

Text in the main pop-up:

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 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

Screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer and files dowloaded from fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu:

Another screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer downloaded from fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu with Media Player included within:

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 fixheavilyadvancedprogram[.]icu?
• 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 adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

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 fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu 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.

fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu 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 fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu 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 fixheavilyadvancedprogram.icu 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.

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