Do not trust and/or download apps from umobile-security.com website

How to remove redirects to umobile-security[.]com from Mac?

What is umobile-security[.]com?

Umobile-security[.]com is a deceptive website, running a variety of scams. At the time of research, this page promoted several scam variants, one of which was the "Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged" scheme. The website operates by making false claims (e.g. that the device is infected or the Internet connection is unsafe) in order to promote various products. Typically, scams of this type promote fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers and other PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). However, umobile-security[.]com has been observed promoting genuine software products as well. Few users access such sites intentionally, most get redirected to them by intrusive advertisements or by PUAs. It must be emphasized that no website can detect threats or issues present in visitors' devices.

The version of "Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged" scam promoted on umobile-security[.]com, claims that visitors mobile device (iPhone) has suffered damage from 13 viruses. The infections, specified as "Browser Trojans", supposedly originated from recently visited corrupted websites. The nonexistent malware has caused 62% damage to the browser. According to the scheme, if immediate actions is not taken - the infection can spread and affect users' photographs, private applications, Facebook account and Whatsapp messages. To remove the fake threats, visitors are instructed to install the promoted product. The installed app must be updated with latest releases and/or any other, older versions immediately removed. The other schemes run on umobile-security[.]com are quite similar. They both urge users to download/install a VPN application to protect their Internet connection. While umobile-security[.]com has used its deceptive tactics to promote genuine tools, such sites are usually used to proliferate untrustworthy and even malicious software. Hence, it is expressly advised against trusting umobile-security[.]com and other webpages similar to it. Since doing so can lead to system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. It is highly recommended to only download software from official and trustworthy sources.

As mentioned in the introduction, one of the main culprits behind rogue redirects to deceptive sites are PUAs, already installed onto the system. However, aside from force-opening various unreliable and malicious webpages, unwanted apps can have other/additional abilities. Adware-types deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, the delivered ads redirect to dangerous websites and some can even stealthily download/install software. Browser hijacker type PUAs modify browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers are usually unable to provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate search engines. What is more, most PUAs (regardless of type and/or other abilities) can track data. They can record browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To protect device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	umobile-security.com pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Scam claims that visitors' devices are infected and/or implies that their Internet connection is unsafe.
Promoted Unwanted Application	Various legitimate and illegitimate (fake) applications
Serving IP Address	64.225.2.103
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.

Iossecure.com, vpnbestapp.com, dheje.xyz, connection-protect.com and ivpnconfig.com are some examples of other scams similar to umobile-security[.]com. The Web is full of deceptive sites and they use varied techniques to trick visitors into trusting them. Popular scam models include: warnings that the device is infected or at risk, alerts that a crucial piece of software is out-of-date or missing, fake prize giveaways and raffles, unbelievable deals, and so on. Regardless of what such schemes claim, offer, request or demand, the end-goal is always the same - to generate revenue for the scammers / cyber criminals behind them. Therefore, it is strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Select PUAs have "official" download webpages, which are often promoted by deceptive/scam ones. These applications are also distributed via download/installation setups of other products. This false marketing tactic of packing ordinary software with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) - increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install this software without user permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to always research software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Only official and verified download channels must be used. Since untrustworthy sources, like: unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, and so forth. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate, however they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g. pornography, gambling, adult-dating, etc.). In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins - immediately removed. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of "Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged" scam's background page, run on umobile-security[.]com:

Text presented in this scam variant:

Pop-up:

 

YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED

Immediate Action Is Required!

OK

 

--------------------

 

Background:

 

Apple SecurityMonday
28 September 2020
WARNING! Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged by 13 viruses!

 

We have detected that your Browser is (62%) DAMAGED by BROWSER TROJAN VIRUSES picked up while surfing recent corrupted sites.
Immediate action is required to prevent it from spreading and infecting sensitive data like your Facebook account, Whatsapp messages photos and private applications.

 

Here is how you can solve this in just a few seconds (Step by Step)

 

Step 1: Tap REMOVE VIRUS to install VPN from the App Store.

 

Step 2: Open the app to activate the latest update and remove any older (Infected) versions.

1 minutes and 45 seconds

Remove Virus

Detected By Apple.

Appearance of another scam variant, run on umobile-security[.]com:

Text presented in this scam variant:

Install a Secured VPN App From the Appstore For Free and Protect Your Internet Connection!

 

How to Protect Your Connection:

 

Step 1. Click on the Button “Download” Below and Install the Application from the Appstore (for Free)

 

Step 2. Open the Installed Application and Protect Your Internet Connection

DOWNLOAD

Appearance of yet another scam variant, run on umobile-security[.]com:

Text presented in this scam variant:

Protect your Privacy - get Free VPN app from AppStore

 

Stay private with our FREE VPN App

 

To protect your privacy, follow these steps:

 

1. Install the VPN from App Store
2. Open the App
3. Use it when you want to change your IP

 

INSTALL NOW

Legitimate application promoted by umobile-security[.]com scam website:

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 "umobile-security[.]com"?
• 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 umobile-security.com 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.

umobile-security.com pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove umobile-security.com 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 umobile-security.com 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 umobile-security.com 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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