Do not trust the "IOS VPN profile" scam

How to remove redirects to sites running "IOS VPN profile" scam from Mac computers

What is "IOS VPN profile"?

"IOS VPN profile" is a scam run on deceptive websites. This scheme claims that users' internet connections may not be secure and advises them to download/install a promoted VPN application. Software endorsed using such dubious tactics is typically nonfunctional, untrusted or even malicious. Some of the rogue sites that display this fake error are delivered via the Amazon CloudFront service. People might also access these web pages through redirects caused by intrusive ads or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already installed on the system.

The "IOS VPN profile" scam displays a pop-up window instructing users to visit the AppStore. The background page states that the internet connection may not be secured. If they do not install the promoted VPN application, they supposedly risk losing data (e.g. contacts lists, photos and other personal files). To avoid these issues, users are urged to click the "Download and install" button and download/install the app. To get 24/7 data protection, they must use the VPN when they connect to public Wi-Fi, however, software promoted in this manner is often dubious (e.g. cannot perform the promised capabilities) and can have various dangerous or malicious capabilities. Adware, browser hijackers and other PUAs, as well as Trojans, ransomware and other malware are commonly promoted by such scams. Therefore, you are advised to research all software and only download it from official channels.

PUAs can force-open deceptive/scam, untrusted, rogue, compromised and malicious web pages, however, they can have other capabilities. They can deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. Additionally, once these ads are clicked, they redirect to similarly dangerous websites and can execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Other types of PUAs can hijack browsers by modifying and limiting/denying access to their settings - this is to promote bogus search engines. Furthermore, most PUAs track data. They can record browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is often shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for financial gain - potentially, by putting it to criminal use. To summarize, the presence of PUAs on systems can result in various infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	IOS VPN profile pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	Scam claims that the user's internet connection may not be secure, and hence the device is at risk.
Promoted Unwanted Application	Scam promotes dubious applications.
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.

"Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged by (6) viruses!", vpnshieldplus4.com, and bekapro.xyz are some examples of other similar schemes. These online scams use social engineering and scare tactics to encourage users into performing specific actions. For example, to download/install and/or purchase untrusted or malicious content, call fake and expensive service/support lines, reveal personal information (e.g. names, addresses, emails, banking account and/or credit card details, etc.), pay bogus fees, and so on. Regardless of what these schemes claim or request, they have just one purpose: to generate profit for the designers. Deceptive/Scam sites are common on the web, and 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 that can be promoted by deceptive/scam sites. PUAs can also be downloaded/installed with other products. Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. skipped steps and sections, used pre-sets, etc.) - endanger systems with potential infiltration and infections originating from bundled content. Once clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research products to verify their legitimacy, before download/installation. All downloads should be performed from official and trustworthy sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others). If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and 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 the.

Text presented in the "IOS VPN profile" scam:

Pop-up:

 

Continue to AppStore
OK

 

Background:

 

Back Software update

IOS VPN profile
Apple Inc.
23 MB

 

The internet connection is perhaps not secure.

If you do not install the appropriate VPN application now, you risk losing all your photos, contacts and other personal files in the future.

Follow the simple steps below to protect all your data ...

 

Detailed
Step 1: Click the button below to install the VPN.

Step 2: Use a VPN to get complete data protection 24/7

Step 3: Use a VPN when you connect to free public wi-fi.

hxxps://support.apple.com/contact
Download and install

Screenshot of the dubious app's promotional web page:

Appearance of "IOS VPN profile" scam on mobile devices:

Appearance of the dubious app's promotional web page on mobile devices:

To enable pop-up blocking, fraudulent website warnings, and remove web browsing data in mobile Apple devices, follow these steps:

First, go to "Settings", and then scroll down to find and tap "Safari".

Check if the "Block Pop-ups" and "Fraudulent Website Warning" toggles are enabled. If not, enable them immediately. Then, scroll down and tap "Advanced".

Tap "Website Data" and then "Remove All Website Data".

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 "IOS VPN profile"?
• 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 ios vpn profile 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.

IOS VPN profile pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ios vpn profile 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 ios vpn profile 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 ios vpn profile 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.