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How to remove applications force-opening the catests.space website?

Also Known As: catests.space pop-up
Damage level: Medium

What is the catests[.]space website?

Catests[.]space is a rogue webpage sharing common traits with matrix-news.net, darliament.space, push-news.org, news-mosuka.cc, and countless others. This site is designed to load dubious content and/or redirect visitors to different websites (likely unreliable or malicious ones).

Users rarely access such pages intentionally; most get redirected to them by rogue sites, intrusive adverts, or installed PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). These apps can infiltrate systems without user permission. PUAs operate by causing redirects, running intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collecting browsing-related data.

catests[.]space pop-up redirects

Catests[.]space in detail

Rogue websites first check the visitor's IP (Internet Protocol) address to lean their geolocation. This data determines the page's further course of action. Whether visitors are presented with questionable material and/or get redirected elsewhere - depends on their geolocations.

Additionally, these sites use clickbait, fake CAPTCHA verification, or other deceptive content - to lure users into allowing their browser notifications. Catests[.]space is not an exception to this; should its notifications be enabled - the webpage will start delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns.

The displayed ads are more than just a nuisance, they also endanger device/user safety. They promote various sale-based, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, and malicious websites. Furthermore, some intrusive adverts can infiltrate software (e.g., PUAs) into systems - once they are clicked on.

How do potentially unwanted applications operate?

Potentially unwanted apps can have a variety of harmful functionalities, which can be in different combinations. For example, these applications can force-open sites and/or run intrusive advert campaigns. What is more, PUAs usually have data tracking abilities.

Information of interest includes: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and other vulnerable data. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:
Name catests.space pop-up
Threat Type Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads
Detection Names Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Malicious), Fortinet (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address 192.64.119.74
Observed Domains dwhib.catests[.]space; brzfw.catests.[.]space; pispw.catests[.]space; yoypl.catests[.]space; zjofy.catests[.]space; zztgr.catests[.]space; rdhuv.catests[.]space; ylupw.catests[.]space; hsxbs.catests[.]space; vlamh.catests[.]space; dkhlt.catests[.]space; zhulf.catests[.]space; etc.
Symptoms Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution Methods Deceptive pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications (adware)
Damage Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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Potentially unwanted applications in general

PUAs typically appear ordinary and offer various "handy" functions. However, the advertised features are usually nonoperational. The sole goal of unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs operate by causing redirects, delivering intrusive ad campaigns, and collecting private data.

How did adware install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through downloaders/installers of other software. This false marketing tactic of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., skipped steps, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements are used to spread PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. PUAs can also have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software before download/installation. Additionally, only official and trustworthy download channels must be used. Dubious sources, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled and harmful content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to highly questionable pages (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of catests[.]space website (GIF):

catests[.]space website appearance (GIF)

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:

Disable unwanted browser notifications:

Video showing how to disable web browser notifications:

Google Chrome logoRemove spam notifications from Google Chrome:

Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". In the opened window select "Privacy and security", then click on "Site Settings" and choose "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome (step 1)

In the "Allowed to send notifications" list search for websites that you want to stop receiving notifications from. Click on the three dots icon near the website URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome (step 2)

Android logoRemove spam notifications from Google Chrome (Android):

Tap the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings". Scroll down, tap on "Site settings" and then "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome - Android (step 1)

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and tap on them one-by-one. Once the pop-up shows up, select either "Block" or "Remove" (if you tap "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Google Chrome - Android (step 2)

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove spam notifications from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen. Select "Settings" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen. Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Mozilla Firefox (step 1)

In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and block them using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove Website" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove Website" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Mozilla Firefox (step 2)

Microsoft Edge logoRemove spam notifications from Microsoft Edge:

Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window and select "Settings". Click on "Cookies and site permissions" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen and select "Notifications".

Disable web browser notifications in Microsoft Edge (step 1)

Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL under "Allow" section and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again).

Disable web browser notifications in Microsoft Edge (step 2)

Safari logoRemove spam notifications from Safari (macOS):

Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences...". Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane.

Disable web browser notifications in Safari - macOS (step 1)

Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Disable web browser notifications in Safari - macOS (step 2)

How to avoid browser notification spam?

Internet users should be very skeptical when being asked to allow notifications. While this is a useful feature that allows you to receive timely news from websites you like, deceptive marketers frequently abuse it.

Only allow notifications from websites that you fully trust. For added security - use an anti-malware application with a real-time web browsing monitor to block shady websites that tries to trick you into allowing spam notifications. We recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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