Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is clipconverter.cc?

clipconverter.cc is an online media converter that allows conversion and download of video or audio from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and other sites. Users simply paste the URL of the video/audio, choose a format, start the converter, and then download the converted file.

This service is not directly harmful, however, downloading videos from YouTube (and other similar pages) is illegal. Furthermore, clipconverter.cc uses deceptive pop-up ads that might lead to unwanted installations. It also asks visitors for permission to display notifications (many users accidentally allow websites to do this).

What is dotnetwork[.]xyz?

Sharing similarities with topernews.me, vakogid.com, viralupdatestoday.com and thousands of others, dotnetwork[.]xyz is a rogue website. It operates by causing rampant redirects to compromised and possibly malicious sites, as well as presenting likewise suspect content for user consumption.

It is noteworthy that few visitors ever access dotnetwork[.]xyz willingly, as most happen upon it by being redirected to it. These redirects can be caused by clicking on intrusive advertisements (most often hosted by untrustworthy sites) or by PUAs (potentially unwanted applications) acting autonomously.

What should be known about these rogue applications, is that they do not require express user permission to be installed onto their devices. Once within a system they cause undesirable redirects, deliver invasive ad campaigns and gather sensitive information.

What is Gero?

Belonging to the Djvu ransomware family, Gero is high-risk ransomware discovered by Michael Gillespie. Ransomware stealthily infiltrates systems and encrypts most existing files. In this case, it also renames each file by appending the ".gero" extension (e.g., "sample.jpg" is renamed to "sample.jpg.gero").

Encrypted data immediately becomes unusable - this is so that developers can blackmail victims by offering paid recovery of their files. Once encryption is complete, Gero stores the "_readme.txt" text file (which contains a ransom-demand message) in most existing folders.

What is Tiptoptrack?

Tiptoptrack is one of many scam websites online. This particular site is designed trick people into believing that their Mac computers are infected with a virus. Once opened, it displays a pop-up window, a notification about a 'detected virus'.

The main purpose of this website is to promote a potentially unwanted application (PUA) named Smart Mac Booster and to trick people into installing it. We strongly recommend that you ignore this website and never trust software that is advertised on web pages of this kind.

What is Hese?

Discovered by Michael Gillespie, Hese is high-risk ransomware from the Djvu ransomware family. Following successful infiltration, Hese encrypts most stored data, thereby rendering it unusable. Additionally, Hese appends each filename with the ".hese" extension (hence its name).

For example, "1.jpg" is renamed to "sample.jpg.hese". Once encryption is complete, Hese generates a text file named "_readme.txt" and stores copies in most existing folders.

What kind of malware is AsyncRAT?

AsyncRAT is the name of a remote access or administration tool (RAT). RATs are used to control computers remotely, typically for educational, technical support purposes. In many cases, however, cyber criminals try to trick people into installing these tools to perform various actions on their computers, thereby enabling them to generate revenue.

Typically, cyber criminals attempt to steal personal, sensitive details or infect computers with other malware. Programs such as AsyncRAT can cause serious problems and should be uninstalled immediately.

What is crouchserf[.]com?

Akin to pushmehoney.com, datsadstrack.com, check-out-this.site and innumerous others, crouchserf[.]com is a rogue website. Designed to redirect visitors to unreliable/compromised sites, as well as force-feed them highly questionable and/or malicious content.

Intentional visits to this website are rare, as most visitors access it unwillingly - by getting redirected. These redirects are caused by entry to untrustworthy sites and clicking on intrusive advertisements hosted there, or by PUAs (potentially unwanted applications) present in their system.

It should be noted that unwanted applications do not need express user permission to infiltrate devices. Once successfully installed, PUAs cause unauthorized redirects, run invasive ad campaigns and gather sensitive information.

What is checkpost[.]club?

Similar to weads32.com, robotcaptcha3.info, topernews.me, and many others, checkpost[.]club is a rogue site designed to feed users with dubious content and redirect them to other dubious websites.

Research shows that many visitors arrive at checkpost[.]club inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive ads encountered on other rogue sites. PUAs infiltrate computers without users' consent, cause redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, and gather various sensitive data.

What is weads32[.]com?

Weads32[.]com is a rogue site, sharing many similar traits with naneso.com, pushmobilenews.com, clckworld.club  and thousands of others. It operates by redirecting visitors to unreliable and potentially malicious sites, as well as presenting highly questionable content for user consumption.

In most cases, weads32[.]com is accessed unintentionally/unwillingly. Users either get redirected from other compromised sites (specifically, by clicking intrusive advertisements hosted there) or have this dubious website force-opened by PUAs (potentially unwanted applications).

What should be known about PUAs is that they do not need explicit user permission to be installed onto their device, and are considered to be a high security risk. These undesired apps cause unauthorized redirects, deliver invasive ad campaigns and track data.

What is fastmailtab.com?

Fastmailtab.com is the address of a fake search engine that is promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA) called Fast Mail Tab.

This app is categorized as a browser hijacker and supposedly allows access to multiple email accounts directly from a new browser tab, however, its actual purpose is to change browser settings (promote a fake search engine) and gather user-system information.

Typically, people do not download or install apps such as Fast Mail Tab intentionally (hence why they are known as PUAs).