How to remove unwanted apps downloaded from peachsecureus.com?

How to remove apps that promote pages like peachsecureus[.]com?

What is peachsecureus[.]com?

Peachsecureus[.]com is the address of a website that is designed to trick users into believing that it might be unsafe to browse the Internet and someone may be spying on them (tracking their browsing activity). It displays a message saying that visitors should encrypt their web traffic and change their IP address with an application that can be downloaded and installed by following the provided instructions. It is important to mention that typically users do not visit such pages intentionally: they get opened by installed potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), while visiting dubious pages or after clicking deceptive advertisements.

There are two other peachsecureus[.]com variants: one of them stating that the browser might not display the website correctly, and another one stating that browsing, steaming, and download activity might be not private (unsecure). Either way, the main purpose of peachsecureus[.]com is to trick visitors into downloading a potentially unwanted application (PUA). It is known that two of the peachsecureus[.]com variants are used to promote an app called Harbor VPN - Secure Connection. This app is available on App Store, which means it is a legitimate app. However, pages like peachsecureus[.]com cannot be trusted even if they are used to promote trustworthy apps. It is common that they are used to trick visitors into installing adware, browser hijackers, sometimes even malicious applications.

If some adware or a browser hijacker is already installed on a device, then it should be removed. Adware is a type of software that generates unwanted ads that, if clicked, could open untrustworthy websites or even cause unwanted downloads, installations. A browser hijacker is a type of PUA that changes the browser's settings (promotes the address of some fake search engine). It forces users to visit a certain address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. Both adware-type apps and browser hijackers often are designed to gather browsing data (e.g., Internet Protocol addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries) or even sensitive information. What is worse, data collected this way is often sold to third parties (or monetized in other ways).

Threat Summary:

Name	peachsecureus.com pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Visitors might be spied on, web traffic might be unsecure
Serving IP Address	54.39.130.163
Related Domain	peachsecureeu[.]com
Promoted Unwanted Application	Harbor VPN - Secure Connection
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.

There are many websites like peachsecureus[.]com. Some examples are reander[.]net, systemnotices[.]com, and support-service[.]space. The main difference between peachsecureus[.]com and the given examples is that those other pages are designed to trick visitors into believing that a device is infected with viruses. Although, the purpose of all websites of this type is the same: to trick visitors into downloading and installing unwanted applications.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Typically, users download or install unwanted applications together with programs that have those apps included in their download or installation setups as additional offers. In other words, when PUAs are distributed using a "bundling" method. Usually, unwanted offers can be found and declined by unticking certain checkboxes using "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" (or other) settings. When users download or install applications without checking and changing those settings, they download or install included PUAs too. Also, sometimes users download or install PUAs via deceptive advertisements: by clicking advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advisable to download files, apps only from official, trustworthy websites, and via direct links. It is not safe to use third party downloaders, installers, Peer to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), dubious websites, as tools neither to download or install any apps. Downloads and installations should not be finished without checking setups for settings (like "Advanced", "Custom") that could possibly be used to decline unwanted offers. Additionally, it is strongly recommended not to click advertisements that appear on shady websites. It is common that those ads are designed to promote other questionable pages or cause unwanted downloads, installations. Any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons that are already installed on a browser should be removed. The same should be done with apps of this kind that are 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 pop-up of the first peachsecureus[.]com variant:

Someone May Be Watching
What You Browse
Your IP 104.236.233.182 could be exposed.
Someone may know your Apple iPhone
Follow three steps to encrypt your web traffic and change your IP address:
    
Click below to download VPN.
Open app, click connect button.
Browse web and apps anonymously.
5 minutes 47 seconds
Install Now Cancel

Screenshot of the second peachsecureus[.]com variant:

Text in this variant:

11:03
 
VPN update is recommended

Your Internet Explorer browser might not display the webpage correctly.

 

Please install the recommended free VPN app to solve a potential problem.

 

Cancel Install

Screenshot of the third peachsecureus[.]com variant:

Text in this variant:

VPN highly suggested for this site
Your browsing, streaming and download activity may be not private and may be unsecured.

Cancel Install

0:11 / 1:38

Screenshot of the fourth peachsecureus[.]com variant:

Text in this variant

Hаrbоr VРN - Sесurе Cоnnеctiоn
Harbor VPN is a must-have app for every user, as it combines two of the most important functions. It provides you with a stable VPN connection and effective ad blocker.
Fluent VPN connection, which works without breaks and slowdowns!
4 minute 31 seconds
Install Now Cancel

Application promoted on third and fourth peachsecureus[.]com variant:

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 peachsecureus[.]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 peachsecureus.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.

peachsecureus.com pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove peachsecureus.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 peachsecureus.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 peachsecureus.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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