Avoid getting scammed by the heiipiossuport.info scam website

How to remove redirects to heiipiossuport[.]info from Mac?

What is the heiipiossuport[.]info site?

Heiipiossuport[.]info is a deceptive website, promoting various scams. At the time of research, this site ran a scam targeted at iPhone users (however, heiipiossuport[.]info can be accessed through other Apple products as well). This scheme has many similarities with technical support scams. It claims that suspicious activity has been detected on the webpages users have recently visited and to protect their mobile device - it has been blocked. To unblock it, users are instructed to contact the scammers. It must be emphasized that all of the information provided by heiipiossuport[.]info is false and in no way associated with Apple Inc. Furthermore, no website can actually detect issues/threats present on visitors' systems; hence, any that make such claims - are scams. Few users access deceptive/scam pages intentionally, they enter them via mistyped URLs, are redirected by intrusive advertisements or by PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). This software does not need explicit user consent to be installed onto devices.

Once accessed, heiipiossuport[.]info displays a pop-up window. The text presented in it, states that dubious activity has been detected on websites, users have recently visited. Supposedly, this is posing a risk to visitors' data. To protect it, users are urged to close the "notification" and call the toll-free "Apple Helpline". After this pop-up is closed, heiipiossuport[.]info displays another one. It claims that users' iPhone has been blocked by Apple, due to illegal activity detected on the device. The pop-up window clarifies that the illegal activity originated from certain sites that users have visited, which can stealthily extract a variety of personal information from their devices. The scam then repeats that users must call the provided number immediately. How this type of scam operates can vary, yet all iterations pose a significant threat to both device and user safety. Firstly, despite being presented as such, the fake helplines are rarely free. Furthermore, the "services" of scammers are usually unbelievably expensive. The requested payments are often paid in difficult/impossible to trace digital currencies (e.g. cryptocurrencies, pre-paid vouchers, gift cards, etc.). Scammers may also use untrustworthy payment portals, which record entered data. Aside from such pages, victims can be directly asked to provide their personal information, e.g. names, addresses, emails, banking account and/or credit card details, etc. Scammers often attempt to gain remote access and control to users' devices. Following successful connection, they can uninstall legitimate security programs, offer fake anti-virus products, steal files containing vulnerable information, infect the system with malware (e.g. trojans, ransomware, etc.), and so on. What is more, scammers often target successfully scammed victims repeatedly. To summarize, by trusting the scheme promoted on heiipiossuport[.]info, users can experience financial losses, system infections, severe privacy issues and even identity theft.

As mentioned in the introduction, PUAs can force-open various untrustworthy and malicious webpages (e.g. heiipiossuport[.]info). However, these apps can have other/additional abilities. Adware-types deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. The delivered ads diminish the browsing experience and when clicked on, they redirect to dangerous sites and some can even stealthily download/install software. Another type of PUAs called browser hijackers make modifications to browser settings and restrict/deny access to them - in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers are seldom able to provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate search engines. Most PUAs (regardless of type) have data tracking abilities, which are employed to spy on users' browsing activity. Data of interest includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations and other personally identifiable information. The collected data is then monetized by being shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	heiipiossuport.info pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Scam claims users' devices have been blocked, due to their personal data being at risk.
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.

Umobile-security.com, iossecure.com, vpnbestapp.com pop-up - are a few examples of other scam websites targeting iPhone users. The Internet is rife with such pages and they use a variety of tactics to abuse visitors' trust. Popular scam models include: warnings that the device and/or the data stored in it - are at risk, alerts that an essential piece of software is out-of-date, fake prize giveaways and raffles, ludicrous offers, and many others. Regardless of what these webpages claim, offer, request or demand, the end-goal is the same - to generate profit for the scammers / cyber criminals behind them.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing method of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps, etc.) - increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages, from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

All software products should be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. It is advised to only download from official and trustworthy sources. Dubious download channels, e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - often offer deceptive and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so forth. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary, however they redirect to various questionable sites (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 suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed immediately. 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 first pop-up window displayed by the scam run on heiipiossuport[.]info website:

Attention!

We have detected a suspicious activity on sites you visited. Close this notification and follow the instructions to protect your data from possible loss. Call Apple Helpline for Instant Support +1-850-738-9027 (Toll Free).

Second pop-up window displayed by heiipiossuport[.]info scam:

Text presented in this pop-up:

Your iPhone has been blocked!
Your device has been blocked and Apple I'd has been disabled due to some illegal activities.

 

Your recent visits in some unauthorized websites can fetch out you date , passwords and your personal credential information.Immediately call apply support +1(850)-738-9027 to unlock it !
0 minute 13 seconds

 

Call Now    Cancel

Appearance of heiipiossuport[.]info scam's mobile version:

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 "heiipiossuport[.]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 heiipiossuport.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.

heiipiossuport.info pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove heiipiossuport.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 heiipiossuport.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 heiipiossuport.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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