Do not download/install software promoted by protectad.online website

How to remove redirects to protectad[.]online from Mac?

What is the protectad[.]online website?

Protectad[.]online is a deceptive webpage designed to promote various scams. The schemes run on this site mainly target iPhone users (it might be accessed via other Apple devices). At the time of research, the website promoted a scam claiming that users' iPhones are exposed to malware and adware. To rectify this, the scheme urges users to download/install the recommended ad-blocker. The purpose of this type of scam is to endorse a variety of unreliable and possibly malicious software. For example, they commonly push fake anti-virus tools, adware, browser hijackers, and different PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). These schemes may even proliferate malware as well (e.g., trojans, ransomware, etc.). Typically, deceptive pages are accessed via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by untrustworthy sites, intrusive advertisements, or installed PUAs. It is noteworthy that tionscalen[.]top scam website has been observed redirecting to protectad[.]online.

When entered, the scam run on protectad[.]online presents visitors with a pop-up window. The text presented in it instructs users to continue to the AppStore. The background page states that there is an ad-blocking software recommendation. The scheme informs visitors that their iPhone is vulnerable to advertisements and malware. To protect the device against this vexing and malicious content, users are to download/install the advertised ad-blocker. The scam provides steps on how to obtain and use the recommended tool. It must be emphasized that the products promoted by protectad[.]online are deemed highly untrustworthy, and installing them can lead to serious problems. By trusting the protectad[.]online website, users may experience system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues, and even lead to identity theft.

Online scams often endorse PUAs. These applications typically appear legitimate and offer various functionalities, which are seldom operational. Fake anti-virus tools are an example of this type of PUAs. They require activation (i.e., purchase) to perform the functions, yet following activation - they remain nonoperational.

Furthermore, PUAs can have unmentioned, heinous abilities. Some unwanted apps can force-open dubious/dangerous websites (e.g., protectad[.]online). Adware-types run intrusive advertisement campaigns. The delivered ads diminish the browsing experience and pose a threat to device/user safety. Once clicked on, intrusive adverts redirect to harmful sites and may be able to download/install software without user permission. Another type of PUAs called browser hijackers operate by making changes to browser settings and restrict/deny access to them - in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted web searchers can rarely provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines.

What is more, most PUAs have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, geolocations, and even personally identifiable details. The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, it is strongly advised to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	protectad.online pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Scam claims users' iPhones are exposed to threats and recommends downloading/installing an untrustworthy product.
Promoted Unwanted Application	Various dubious applications
Serving IP Address	104.21.70.180
Related Domains	tionscalen[.]top
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.

Phone-security[.]me, veniamad[.]com, protected-connect[.]com, and protect-connection[.]com are some examples of other deceptive websites akin to protectad[.]online. The Internet is full of such deceptive and dangerous material. Popular scam models include: alerts that an essential piece of software is outdated or missing, warnings that the device is infected or at risk, fake prize giveaways, unbelievable offers, and so on. The sole purpose of deceptive sites is to generate revenue for the scammers/ cyber criminals behind them. Due to how widespread scam webpages are, it is highly recommended to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs may have "official" promotional/download pages. These applications can be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing method is packed together with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "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 advertisements are also used to spread PUAs. When clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is important to research software products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Since untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer harmful and bundled content. Download and installation processes have to be approached with care. Therefore, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, and other additions. Intrusive ads appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.). In case of encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. 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 scam prompted by the protectad[.]online website:

Pop-up:

 

Continue to AppStore

OK

 

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

 

Background page:

 

Back Software update

 

iOS AdBlock recommendation
profile
23 MB

 

Your iPhone is exposed to ads and malware.

 

If you do not install an appropriate Ad-Blocker, You are exposed to annoying ads and malwares.

 

Follow the simple steps below to protect all your data and block ads:

 

Detailed
Step 1: Click the button below to install the Ad-Blocker.

 

Step 2: Use an Ad-Blocker to get complete data protection 24/7

 

Step 3: Use an Ad-Blocker when you want to block all ads.

 

Download and install

Appearance of protectad[.]online website promoted scam's background page:

Appearance of the application promoted by protectad[.]online website's scam:

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 "protectad[.]online"?
• 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 protectad.online 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.

protectad.online pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove protectad.online 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 protectad.online 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 protectad.online 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.

Click to post a comment