Avoid downloading fake updates from worldofcontenting.info

How to remove redirects to worldofcontenting[.]info from Mac computers

What is worldofcontenting[.]info?

worldofcontenting[.]info is a scam web page promoting a fake Adobe Flash Player updater. Visitors to this site are presented with deceptive information claiming that Flash Player software is out of date on the system. Note that bogus software updaters often infiltrate dubious content into devices. For example, they can be used to proliferate adware, browser hijackers and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) and even infect systems with malware (e.g. ransomware, trojans, etc.). Websites like worldofcontenting[.]info are usually accessed through redirects caused by intrusive ads or PUAs.

Once entered, worldofcontenting[.]info displays several pop-up windows in quick succession. The initial pop-up urges visitors to install the latest Flash Player updates to improve the plug-in's performance. The message in this window then elaborates that Adobe Flash Player is an essential piece of software that enables users to view media such as videos, animation and play online games. As the version of Flash on users' systems is allegedly outdated (due to lack of latest security updates), it has been blocked. To continue using the plug-in, the scam strongly recommends that users update it. The second pop-up, which overlays the first, repeats the same message, however, it is phrased differently. Rather than stating with certainty that Flash Player is outdated, it claims that the plug-in might lack the latest updates and it might have been blocked. Both of these windows have buttons, which initiate download of the fake updater. Once any of these buttons is clicked, worldofcontenting[.]info provides installation instructions. Note that nstalling these bogus updates will not update Adobe Flash Player - instead, users will unintentionally expose their systems to unwanted or malicious content. Third party updaters are high-risk, and you are advised to only update software with tools and functions provided by legitimate developers.

As mentioned in the introduction worldofcontenting[.]info can be force-opened by PUAs - these apps can also cause redirects to other deceptive/scam, sale-based, untrusted, rogue, compromised and even malicious sites. The capabilities of PUAs are varied. Adware-type apps deliver intrusive ad campaigns. The resultant ads diminish the browsing experience (limit browsing speed and web page visibility), redirect to dubious/dangerous websites and stealthily download/install unwanted content. Other PUAs, classified as browser hijackers modify browsers, restrict/deny access to settings and promote fake search engines. PUAs can often track data. They monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This private data is then shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for profit. In summary, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to browser/system infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	worldofcontenting.info pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	Scam claims that visitor's Flash Player is outdated.
Detection Names (worldofcontenting[.]info)	ESET (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (worldofcontenting[.]info)	3.135.208.248
Promoted Unwanted Application	Scam promotes fake Flash Player updates.
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.

theultimatesafevideoplayers.info, startmostnewestprogram.icu, and therightwaytofindplayering.pro are some examples of sites running similar scams. In general these schemes employ social engineering and scare tactics to encourage users into performing specific actions. For example, to trick them into downloading/installing and/or purchasing nonoperational, untrusted or malicious software; calling expensive and fake technical support lines; revealing personal information (e.g. bank account or credit card details, etc.); making monetary transactions (e.g. fake fees and similar payments), and so on. Popular scam models include claims that software is outdated and/or missing, warnings that the system is infected, prize giveaways, "unbelievable" offers, etc. The only purpose of these scams is to generate revenue for the designers at users' expense. Therefore, you are advised to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages, however, they also proliferate through download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing normal content with unwanted or malicious software - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) - increase the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content. Intrusive ads proliferate these apps as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts, designed to download/install PUAs without user permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched, before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting websites and other third party downloaders are untrusted and might offer likewise suspect content. When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and others). If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in the pop-up initially displayed by worldofcontenting[.]info:

Software update
Update your Adobe Flash Player

Install the latest Flash Player for better performances.

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.

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.

>
Click "Download Flash"
Install updates and enjoy performances.

Download Flash... Update

Screenshot of the second pop-up displayed by worldofcontenting[.]info:

Text presented in this pop-up:

Software update

“Flash Player” might be out-of-date

The version of this plug-in on your computer might not include the latest security updates. Flash might not work until you download an update.

Update Download Flash...

Screenshot of the fake Flash Player installation instructions:

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.
   
Click the Arrow Icon

Open the file

Right click on Installer icon and Open

Right click on Installer icon and Open
Confirm the installation by clicking
Continue and Install  buttons. Type your password.

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

Screenshot of the fake Flash Player updates installation setup:

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 "worldofcontenting[.]info"?
• 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 worldofcontenting.info 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.

worldofcontenting.info pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove worldofcontenting.info 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 worldofcontenting.info 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 worldofcontenting.info 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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