How to remove apps promoting iosdfnc.com

What is iosdfnc[.]com?

Iosdfnc[.]com is a deceptive website using scare tactics to trick visitors into downloading and installing potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

websites like iosdfnc[.]com generally display fake virus or error notifications encouraging people to immediately fix the problem (remove viruses, errors) using an app, which can be downloaded via the provided links. In all cases, you should ignore iosdfnc[.]com and similar pages.

Users do not often visit websites like iosdfnc[.]com intentionally - they are opened when users click dubious ads, visit other bogus web pages, or have PUAs installed on browsers or operating systems.

There are at least two versions of the iosdfnc[.]com website. One displays a fake system notification claiming that the device has been compromised and encourages users to take immediate action.

It claims that the device was infected with a virus after visiting an adult website, and that it recorded the screen. Iosdfnc[.]com claims that, unless the virus is removed in two minutes, all photos stored on the device and the recorded video will be leaked.

In order to fix this "problem", iosdfnc[.]com encourages users to download a VPN client via the "Remove Virus" button. Another iosdfnc[.]com variant suggests that the internet connection may not be secure and offers to secure it by downloading and installing Norton Secure VPN, a legitimate NortonLifeLock product. This app should not be downloaded via websites like iosdfnc[.]com. Scammers monetize these pages by earning commission from the product sale.

Legitimate companies do not allow rogue affiliates to advertise their products or services using deceptive methods (scare tactics), such as fake notifications on the iosdfnc[.]com website. Apps should be downloaded from legitimate web pages and platforms like App Store.

As mentioned, pages like iosdfnc[.]com are promoted via potentially unwanted applications, which collect browsing data and other information, and generate advertisements.

They often gather details such as IP addresses, websites of visited pages, entered search queries, and geolocations. Sometimes they can access sensitive, confidential information. Examples of ads that PUAs generate are coupons, banners, surveys, and pop-ups.

These ads cannot be trusted. They are often used to promote bogus websites and can download/install unwanted applications by running certain scripts. Therefore, remove all PUAs from browsers and operating systems immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	iosdfnc.com pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	iPhone has been compromised/infected with a virus
Detection Names	alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Fortinet (Phishing), Cartego (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	165.22.6.204
Promoted Application	Norton Secure VPN
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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

More examples of websites similar to iosdfnc[.]com are optavut[.]com, landoseseq[.]com, and security-protect[.]systems. Most claim to be official Apple websites, display legitimate notifications, etc. In fact, these pages have nothing to do with any of the official Apple pages and all of their messages and notifications are fake.

Note that websites of this kind can be used to trick visitors into installing browser hijackers, adware-type applications, and other PUAs.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and other types of PUAs are commonly distributed by integrating them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs, so that a proportion of users inadvertently download and install them together with their chosen software. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

Offers to download and install additionally-included apps usually appear in "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the set-ups (where they can usually be declined). Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default.

In addition, unwanted downloads and installations are sometimes caused by clicking deceptive advertisements capable of executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind.

Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

Regularly scan your computer with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software and keep this software up to date.

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 fake system pop-up message:

YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
Immediate Action Is Required!
[OK]

Text in the background:

Apple Security
Warning!
Your iPhone was hacked by a virus after visiting an adult website and your screen was recorded!
If this problem is not resolved within two minutes, the video recording and all your photos might be leaked.

In order to fix the problem you must download trusted VPN app and activate data protection.

1 minutes and 53 seconds
[Remove Virus]
Detected by Apple

Screenshot of the second iosdfnc[.]com variant:

Text in this page:

Your Internet Connection May be Not Secure!

Install Norton Secure VPN From the Appstore For Free and Protect Your Internet Connection!

How to Protect Your Connection:

Step 1. Click on the Button “Download” Below and Install the Recommended Application from the Appstore (Free)

Step 2. Open the Installed Application and Protect Your Internet Connection

DOWNLOAD

Screenshot of the app promoted via second iosdfnc[.]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 IT 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is "iosdfnc[.]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 adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "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.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the 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 regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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