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Uninstall apps downloaded via ivpnconfig.com

Also Known As: ivpnconfig.com pop-up
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is ivpnconfig[.]com?

ivpnconfig[.]com is a deceptive website that often tricks visitors into downloading and installing a potentially unwanted application (PUA). For example, a fake anti-virus tool, adware, or browser hijacker. In most cases, these sites are opened through other dubious websites, untrusted advertisements, or by installed PUAs.

In any case, people do not often visit addresses such as ivpnconfig[.]com intentionally.

ivpnconfig[.]com scam

At the time of research, ivpnconfig[.]com displayed a notification claiming that the iPhone has been hacked and someone is tracking it. The main purpose of this website is to trick the visitor into believing that her/his iPhone can be protected with an application called Secnet VPN.

The notification displayed by ivpnconfig[.]com states that the aforementioned application should be installed and launched within two minutes, otherwise a hacker will reveal the visitor's identity and send photos made with the front camera and browsing history to all her/his contacts. In most cases, pages such as ivpnconfig[.]com claim that the device is hacked, infected with viruses, etc., and encourage visitors to solve the problem with potentially unwanted applications.

In any case, websites such as ivpnconfig[.]com should never be trusted - software should be downloaded only from official, legitimate pages. As mentioned, browsers often open addresses such as ivpnconfig[.]com when PUAs are already installed on them.

Note that PUAs are often designed to open dubious websites and display advertisements. They usually display ads in the form of coupons, pop-ups, surveys, banners and others. Generally, these ads lead to dubious, potentially malicious pages or execute scripts designed to download and/or install PUAs.

PUAs often track and record information such as, for example, IP addresses, entered search queries, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, and other browsing-related details. PUAs might also record personal, sensitive data, which is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who would misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

These actions can cause problems relating to privacy and browsing safety. It is possible that users might also become victims of identity theft. Therefore, remove all PUAs from browsers and computers immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name ivpnconfig.com pop-up
Threat Type Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim This page claims that the visitor's phone is hacked and a hacker is tracking it.
Serving IP Address 104.27.177.47
Promoted Unwanted Application Secnet VPN
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.

Some examples of other deceptive websites similar to ivpnconfig[.]com are "Your iPhone Has Been Hacked", "VPN Update" and "(3) Viruses Has Been Detected". Generally, any statements in notifications displayed by such websites are bogus.

These sites display deceptive notifications stating that they have detected 'errors', the visitor's device has been hacked, infected, and so on. In any case, you are strongly advised to ignore the information given by these websites.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

In some cases, users cause downloads and installations of PUAs by clicking deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts, however, it is more commonly caused when they download or install various programs without checking settings within the setups. Developers often distribute PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They include unwanted apps into the set-ups of various programs and hide related information in "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings. Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is not safe download files or applications from unofficial, dubious pages, through Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, third party downloaders or using other channels of this kind. Also avoid third party installers. Third party downloaders and installers are often used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious programs.

Programs and files should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Furthermore, check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, unwanted apps.

Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious pages (e.g., on those relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography) - they can open untrusted web pages or even cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove all unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins and add-ons) that are installed on the browser immediately.

The same should be applied to software of this kind that is 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 deceptive notification displayed by ivpnconfig[.]com:

Hacker Is Tracking You!

 

Your iPhone connections was hacked and someone is tracking you! Do not close this page. If this problem is not resolved within two minutes, the hacked will reveal your identity and will send your browser history and frontal camera photos to ALL OF YOUR CONTACTS!

 

00 minute 23 seconds

 

How to protect your connection:

Step 1: Click Install Secnet VPN button;
Step 2: You will be redirected to AppStore;
Step 3: Install Secnet VPN, open it and tap connect button.

 

[Protect Connection] [Install Secnet VPN]

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".

remove pop-ups and clear cache step 1

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

disable pop-ups and clear cache step 2

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

disable pop-ups and clear cache step 3

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.

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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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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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Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of ivpnconfig.com pop-up on your mobile device.
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