How to uninstall unwanted apps desinged to promote ustrack.online?

What is ustrack[.]online?

Ustrack[.]online is a deceptive website designed to trick visitors into downloading and installing some potentially unwanted application (PUA) or multiple apps. Like most websites of this type, it displays a fake virus notification claiming that a device (iPhone) has been infected and encourages to remove detected viruses as soon as possible.

In most cases, websites like ustrack[.]online are promoted through untrustworthy websites, advertisements or potentially unwanted applications - users do not visit pages like ustrack[.]online intentionally.

Ustrack[.]online displays a fake iOS system notification and a fake virus alert claiming that a device has been infected with three viruses and its battery has been damaged. The main purpose of this scam website is to trick visitors into believing that if they do not remove detected malware immediately with the app that can be downloaded from it, then installed malware will cause more damage to their device.

It is strongly recommended not to trust websites like ustrack[.]online and download software through them. Websites of this type can be used to trick visitors into downloading and installing adware, browser hijackers, and other unwanted applications. In some cases, they can be used to distribute malicious applications.

It is worth mentioning that pages like ustrack[.]online can be used to advertise apps available on App Store (legitimate applications). However, ustrack[.]online and similar pages should not be trusted even if they promote trustworthy apps.

Another detail about these pages is that most of them are designed to look like the official Apple pages (e.g., Apple Security pages). Nevertheless, none of them have anything to do with the official Apple pages.

Quite often, websites like ustrack[.]online are promoted through potentially unwanted applications. Usually, users download and install apps of this kind inadvertently.

It is important to mention that many PUAs can generate advertisements and collect various information. They generate banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads, etc.

Their ads tend to be designed to promote questionable websites. Sometimes, those ads cause unwanted downloads or even installations by executing certain scripts. Therefore, it is not safe to click ads that PUAs generate.

Furthermore, most PUAs collect browsing-related details. For example, geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, Internet Protocol addresses.

Although, sometimes they can access credit card details, passwords, and other details that may be misused to steal accounts, make unauthorized purchases, transactions, and so on.

Threat Summary:

Name	ustrack.online pop-up scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	iPhone has been infected and its battery has been damaged
Serving IP Address	159.89.225.202
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.

To summarize, websites like ustrack[.]online use deceptive techniques to trick visitors into downloading and installing unwanted or unnecessary software. Most of them display fake virus or error notifications pushing visitors to solve the "problem" as soon as possible.

As mentioned in the second paragraph, these pages usually are designed to look like official websites created by legitimate companies like Apple, Microsoft, etc. There are many pages like ustrack[.]online on the Internet. Some examples are "(10) Viruses Were Detected On Your iPhone", "Your iPhone Was Hacked After Visiting An Adult Website", and "Hackers are watching you!". All these pages should be ignored.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

One of the most popular ways to trick users into unknowingly downloading or installing PUAs is to integrate PUAs in downloaders, installers of other programs as extra offers. In other words, to bundle PUAs with other programs that users are likely to download and install intentionally. In most cases, unwanted offers can be found (and declined) in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings or by unticking ticked checkboxes.

When users download or install programs without changing those settings, they agree to download or install all the included PUAs. Sometimes users download or install PUAs through deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts. Although, only if users click those ads.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Applications, files should not be downloaded from unofficial pages, via third-party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, and other sources of this kind, or installed via third-party installers. It is common that their users download or install unwanted, potentially malicious software.

It is recommended to use only official pages and direct links. Downloaders and installers with settings like "Custom", "Advanced" (or ticked checkboxes) can be used to distribute potentially unwanted applications.

Therefore, they should be checked for unwanted offers before finishing download or installation processes. Advertisements appearing on untrustworthy websites should not be trusted. In most cases, those ads are used to promote various untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites. Sometimes, those ads can download or even install PUAs.

All unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins, or add-ons installed on a web browser or programs of this kind installed on the operating system should be removed. 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 iOS system notification:

(1) SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Please Read Important Notification Regarding Your iOS Device.
OK

Screenshot of the background page:

Text in this page:

Apple Security Monday
1 March 2021
(3) Viruses have been detected on your iPhone and battery has been infected and damaged.

If you do not remove this malware now, it may cause more damage to your device. How to fix this:

Step 1: Tap the button below & install the recommended virus protection tool for free from the AppStore.

Step 2: Run the app to remove all malware to repair your phone to 100%
1 minutes and 46 seconds
Download and Install
Detected By Apple.

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 ustrack[.]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 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.

▼ Show Discussion