How to stop alert-info.space from being opened?

How to remove apps promoting alert-info[.]space?

What is alert-info[.]space?

The main purpose of the alert-info[.]space website is to advertise an application called AdsBlock for Safari (it could be advertising other apps too). Although, the problem with alert-info[.]space is that this page uses deception to advertise software: it displays a fake notification saying that access to Safari is blocked and cannot be restored without the recommended application. It is important to mention that users do not visit websites like alert-info[.]space by themselves (on purpose). In most cases, browsers open deceptive pages when users have some potentially unwanted application (PUA) installed on a browser or a device, or when they visit dubious pages or click shady advertisements.

Typically, pages like alert-info[.]space display fake virus alert notifications saying that a device is infected with a number of viruses and encourage visitors to install some application that is supposed to remove those viruses. Sometimes these pages show notifications saying that a device has been hacked, it battery is damaged, some personal details are stolen, or other fake warnings/notifications. In one way or another, none of those alerts are real and or can be trusted. As mentioned in the first paragraph, alert-info[.]space claims that the access to Safari is blocked and offers to unblock it with an ad blocker (AdsBlock for Safari). It is important to mention that deceptive pages can be used to trick visitors into installing adware, browser hijackers or even malicious applications. Although, some of the apps promoted on them could be legitimate. Either way, pages that use deception to advertise apps should never be trusted.

It is common for sites like alert-info[.]space to be promoted via potentially unwanted apps. Apps of this type are often designed to generate online advertisements (like coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, etc.). Quite often, their ads are used to promote dubious pages or designed to execute scripts to cause unwanted downloads, or even installations. Another problem with PUAs is that they tend to be used as tools to gather various data. For example, Internet Protocol addresses, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, geolocations, sometimes even sensitive data like passwords, credit card details. Gathered data could be misused for marketing purposes, sold to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), or used to generate revenue in some another way. It is advisable not to have any PUAs installed on browsers or computers.

Threat Summary:

Name	alert-info.space pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Access to Safari is blocked
Serving IP Address	172.67.175.249
Promoted Unwanted Application	AdsBlock for Safari
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.

The Internet is full of deceptive pages like alert-info[.]space, some examples of similar pages are customers-info[.]space, app-department[.]report, and protect-connection[.]com. Most of them are disguised as official Apple pages and offer (or urge) visitors to download and install some application. It is strongly recommended not to download any apps from pages like alert-info[.]space. Apps should be downloaded from App Store (or other official channels).

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

In some cases, it is possible to inadvertently download and install PUAs by clicking deceptive advertisements. Although, only by clicking ads that are capable of executing certain scripts. Usually, users unintentionally download or install potentially unwanted apps alongside other programs - when PUAs are bundled in downloaders, installers of other programs and users do not opt out those apps. Typically, users can decline offers to download or install additionally included apps via "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings or by unticking checkboxes. It is worthwhile to mention that PUAs usually come bundled together with freeware (free programs).

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Programs (applications) and files have to be downloaded from trustworthy, official websites and via direct links. It is not advisable to use other sources for downloading them, for example, third-party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (like eMule, torrent clients), unofficial pages. It is no safe to use third-party installers either. Downloaders and installers that have "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings, or some checkboxes should be checked for bundled applications (for offers to download or install unwanted apps). Advertisements that appear on questionable websites (e.g., on pages related to gambling, adult dating, pornography) should not be clicked. It is common for those ads to be used to promote untrustworthy pages or cause unwanted downloads, installations. All unwanted, suspicious plug-ins, extensions or add-ons that are already installed on a browser should be removed. The same should be done with programs 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 alert-info.space pop-up windw:

Adblock update required
Access to Safari is blocked.
Please download the recommended free Adblock App to access the content, protect and speed up your connection.
Installation will take about 20 seconds.
Install Now

Screenshot of the advertised app ("AdsBlock for Safari"):

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 alert-info[.]space?
• 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 alert-info.space 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.

alert-info.space pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove alert-info.space 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 alert-info.space 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 alert-info.space 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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