Do not trust mainplaceupgradesfree.info or download software from it

What is mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info?

mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info is designed to deceive visitors into using a fake installer for a new Adobe Flash Player version. Typically, websites of this type download installers of various potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). For example, browser hijackers, adware or even malicious programs such as Trojans and ransomware.

We strongly advise against downloading anything from mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info or similar web pages.

mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info displays pop-up windows claiming that the installed version of Adobe Flash Player is out of date and encourages users to download and install a new version. According to mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info, Adobe Flash Player will not work unless the latest security updates are downloaded and installed.

This web page downloads a file called "AdobeFlashPlayerInstaller.dmg", which is supposedly designed to install the latest Adobe Flash Player version. In fact, it installs a PUA such as a browser hijacker or adware. Browser hijackers are applications that promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.

Typically, they also collect information relating to users' browsing activities. The developers misuse the data to generate revenue and/or sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who do the same. Many browser hijackers record browsing data and various sensitive information.

Adware-type apps can also be designed to operate as information tracking tools too, however, their primary task is to feed users with intrusive ads (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.). Typically, if clicked, these ads open potentially malicious, deceptive and untrustworthy websites, or they execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs that might be malicious.

Fake installers/updaters of Adobe Flash Player can infect systems with malicious software such as ransomware, Trojans or other high-risk malware. People who have computers infected with ransomware cannot access or use their data without paying ransoms.

If a system is infected with a Trojan, the program usually infects it with other, additional malware. In summary, installation of software downloaded from mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info can lead to financial, data loss, identity theft, problems with privacy, browsing safety, and so on.

Threat Summary:

Name	mainplaceupgradesfree.info pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	This web page claims that installed Adobe Flash Player is out of date.
Detection Names (AdobeFlashPlayerInstaller.dmg)	Acrabit (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS (B)), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Shlayer.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info is virtually identical to reliableultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info, operateuberrefinedprogram[.]icu, and many other websites. All suggest that Adobe Flash Player is out of date and encourage visitors to update it by downloading and installing a new version.

None have anything to do with the official Adobe Flash Player and cannot be trusted. If a browser opens websites such as mainplaceupgradesfree[.]info (or other deceptive, pages) automatically, it is likely that it is forced to do so by a PUA already installed.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Most people download and/or install PUAs inadvertently, through the set-ups of other software or deceptive advertisements. PUAs are commonly included into various download and/or installation set-ups. This distribution method is called "bundling". Generally, offers to download and/or install them can be found in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on.

Unfortunately, people often download and install programs without even checking these settings. Leaving them unchanged can allow included PUAs to be downloaded/installed with regular programs. In other cases, PUAs are downloaded/installed when people click deceptive ads designed to execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is not safe to download or install software or files via third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), untrustworthy websites, third party installers, and so on. We recommend that you download all software only via direct links and from official websites.

Furthermore, "Custom", "Advanced" or other similar settings of any download or installation setup should not be left unchecked. Unwanted downloads and installations can be avoided by declining offers to download/install additionally-included apps before finishing the process.

Do not to click intrusive advertisements, especially those that appear on dubious web pages. Check the list of apps that are installed on the browser for any unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins. Remove all unwanted entries. The same should be applied to unwanted programs 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 initial pop-up window:

Update to the latest version of Flash Player. Your current Adobe Flash Player version is out of date.

Screenshot of the three pop-ups which appear after closing the first:

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.

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.
Update Download Flash...

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

Screenshot of a pop-up that appears next:

Text in this pop-up:

Software Update

“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 pop-up with instructions about how to download and install a fake update:

Text in this pop-up:

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.

Screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer:

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

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 mainplaceupgradesfree.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 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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