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How to uninstall apps that promote the deceptive VPN Update web page

Also Known As: VPN update pop-up
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is "VPN Update"?

There are many deceptive websites on the internet used to trick people into downloading and installing potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular website suggests that, to continue watching a video, visitors must download and install an app called Secured VPN Pro.

Typically, these web pages are opened when users click deceptive ads, visit dubious websites or already have PUAs installed on browser and/or operating systems. People do not often visit these sites intentionally and, therefore, neither the web pages nor apps promoted through them can be trusted.

VPN Update scam

"VPN Update" scam overview

When visited, this deceptive website displays a pop-up window stating that, to continue watching a video, users must download a free VPN application. After clicking the "Install & Register Now" button, visitors are redirected to the download page of the Secured VPN Pro application.

Note that deceptive pages should never be trusted, even if they advertise legitimate applications. All software should be downloaded directly from official websites or distribution platforms (e.g., Apple App Store). Deceptive web pages such as this are often opened through other dubious pages, deceptive ads or installed PUAs.

They also promote various PUAs including, for example, browser hijackers and adware-type apps. Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

They assign these settings to the address of a fake search engine so that users are forced to visit it when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. Typically, these changes cannot be undone unless people uninstall the app that made them.

Adware-type apps serve advertisements (e.g., coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups), which lead users who click them to dubious pages. In some cases, they execute scripts that download or install other PUAs. Adware-type apps and browser hijackers often collect data, usually relating to users' browsing habits.

For example, IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and geolocations. Some of these apps also target private, sensitive data. The developers often misuse collected data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways.

If the browser opens dubious pages automatically, this is likely to be due to a PUA that is already installed on the browser or operating system.

Threat Summary:
Name VPN update pop-up
Threat Type Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim This web page suggests that visitors can continue watching a video by installing a VPN client
Related Domain wenypoll[.]com
Serving IP Address (wenypoll[.]com) 64.227.11.5
Promoted Unwanted Application Secured VPN Pro (this deceptive web page might also be used to promote other apps).
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.

Scam website examples

Some more examples of deceptive pages that are designed to trick users into installing PUAs include application-update[.]com, hastopnet[.]com and pushsix[.]xyz. Note that these pages often suggest that the visitor's device is infected with viruses. In fact, they should never be trusted.

Remove any apps that might be responsible for opening these pages from browsers and devices immediately.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

In most cases, people download and install PUAs inadvertently by clicking deceptive ads, which execute certain scripts, or downloading/installing software with PUAs included into the set-ups as 'additional offers'.

The latter case happens when people fail to check and change the "Custom", "Advanced" (or other) settings and decline offers to download/install additionally-included apps. In this way, they often agree by default with offers to download or install additional PUAs. This distribution method is called "bundling".

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is important to download programs and files from official websites. Do not to use third party downloaders/installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), unofficial, dubious websites or other channels, since they are often monetized by distributing unwanted, sometimes even malicious software.

Check all download/installation settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" and decline offers to download or install unwanted software before finishing the process. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious pages, since they can open other pages of this kind or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Typically, such ads appear on pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography and other sites of this kind. In some cases, they might also appear on legitimate sites.

Remove any unwanted, unknown, suspicious add-ons, plug-ins and extensions installed on the browser, and programs of this kind 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 a pop-up, which appears when this scam page is visited:

VPN Update


Please download the free VPN app from the Apple Store to continue watching

 

Install & Register Now

Secured VPN Pro download page:

vpn upate scam secured vpn pro downloa page

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:

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:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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 adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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 regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages created to trick users into performing specific actions, e.g., downloading/installing and/or purchasing software, transferring money, calling fake support lines, subscribing to bogus services, disclosing private data, and so forth.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams - like most scams - are used to generate revenue. Cyber criminals can profit by obtaining funds through deception, abusing or selling sensitive information, promoting software, spreading malware, etc.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a scam, what should I do?

If you have disclosed account log-in credentials, immediately change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and inform their official support. And if you have provided other private data (e.g., ID card details, credit card numbers, etc.) - contact the relevant authorities without delay.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are run on various deceptive websites. Most users access such sites via redirects caused by webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning visited websites and detecting deceptive/malicious ones. Therefore, if you enter such a webpage - you will be warned immediately, and further access will be restricted.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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