How to get rid of apps that promote pages like securitycheck.network?

How to remove apps that promote securitycheck[.]network from Mac?

What is securitycheck[.]network?

Securitycheck[.]network is a fake Apple website which is designed to trick visitors into downloading and installing some application. It is not common for pages like securitycheck[.]network to be visited by users intentionally. In most cases such pages are promoted via deceptive ads, other shady pages or potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Securitycheck[.]network displays a fake virus notification saying that iPhone has been infected with 4 viruses that should be removed immediately, otherwise they will block the phone, SIM card and corrupt data. It encourages to remove those viruses with some app called "My Security" that can be downloaded via the provided "remove viruses" link. Applications should never be downloaded from or through pages like securitycheck[.]network. If such pages get opened often, it is likely that they get opened by some installed PUA.

PUAs can be designed not only to promote untrustworthy pages but also to generate ads and gather various information. It is common that PUAs target IP addresses, websites of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, etc. Although, some of them could capable of accessing sensitive details as well. Moreover, collected data could be monetized by selling it to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misused in other ways. Also, PUAs can be deigned to generate coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other ads. Quite often their ads are designed to open untrustworthy websites, or even cause unwanted downloads, or even installations of unwanted apps.

Threat Summary:

Name	securitycheck.network pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	iPhone is infected with viruses
Serving IP Address	172.67.217.81
Promoted Unwanted Application	My Security
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.

Examples of pages that are similar to securitycheck[.]network are department[.]limited, spaceshellvpn[.]com, peachlandeu[.]com. What most of them have in common is that they claim that visitor's device is infected and encourage to install some app that supposed to remove threats. In one way or another, neither securitycheck[.]network or any other page of this kind can be trusted.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Most users download and/or install potentially unwanted apps unknowingly. It is common that they download and/or install them together with programs. More precisely, when they do not decline unwanted offers when they download and/or install programs that have PUAs included in their setups. Usually such offers can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings or by unticking certain checkboxes before finishing downloads and/or installations. This distribution method for PUAs is known as "bundling". Sometimes users cause unwanted downloads, installations by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download and installation setups that have settings like "Custom", "Advanced", or some checkboxes, should be always checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Software (and files) should be downloaded from official pages and through direct links. Other channels, sources like third party downloaders, unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule) should not be used, neither should be various third party installers. Also, it is advisable not to click ads that appear on dubious pages. Quite often those ads are designed to open various questionable websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations. Additionally, there should not be any unwanted extensions, plug-ins or add-ons that are installed on a browser, or programs of this kind that 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 securitycheck[.]network page:

AppleCare
Protection plan
If not resolved immediately, the viruses could block the mobile phone, SIM card and damage and delete all important files.

To remove the virus immediately:

Step 1: Click the button below.

Step 2: Download the "My Security" on next page to completely eliminate the virus ..

Important: Please act in 59 seconds.

remove viruses
I do not want to repair my device.

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 securitycheck[.]network?
• 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 securitycheck.network 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.

securitycheck.network pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove securitycheck.network 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 securitycheck.network 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 securitycheck.network 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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