Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is apple.com-optimize-mac[.]live?

apple.com-optimize-mac[.]live is designed to advertise dubious applications. At time of research, it promoted the Cleanup My Mac app. Note that apple.com-optimize-mac[.]live is a deceptive site, which informs visitors that their computers are infected with viruses.

Websites of this type display fake virus notifications to trick people into downloading and installing an app that supposedly removes the viruses. Neither pages such as apple.com-optimize-mac[.]live nor apps advertised through them are trustworthy.

People usually do not visit these addresses intentionally - they are redirected to them by potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) installed on their browsers or computers.

What is hp.myway.com?

MyImageConverter is a rogue application released by the Mindspark Interactive Network. It is advertised as a free tool for image conversion, accompanied by a web searcher (hp.myway.com). MyImageConverter is supposedly capable of converting various image files (JPG, PNG, TIFF, etc.) and providing quick access to online photo editing services.

Due to the dubious distribution methods (i.e., users are tricked to install), this app is classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). Furthermore, MyImageConverter is a browser hijacker. It modifies browsers and promotes hp.myway.com, a fake search engine. Additionally, it monitors users' browsing activity, thereby gathering personal information.

What is hp.myway.com?

PresidentialBuzz is one of many apps (in this case, a rogue app and a browser hijacker) developed by Mindspark Interactive. Browser hijackers are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since developers distribute them using deceptive methods.

Most people do not download or install apps such as PresidentialBuzz intentionally - they are usually tricked. PresidentialBuzz changes browser settings to promote hp.myway.com, a fake search engine. Furthermore, most apps of this type gather user details.

What is redrelaxfollow[.]com?

redrelaxfollow[.]com is similar to many other dubious websites such as muchinspardorop[.]info, cudalbapt[.]com, and pushmehoney[.]com.

Visitors are presented with dubious content or redirected to other untrustworthy websites. People are generally forced to visit pages such as redrelaxfollow[.]com by potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) installed on their browsers or computers. Therefore, few people visit them intentionally. Typically, PUAs display intrusive ads and/or collect details relating to users.

What is hp.myway.com?

GetFormsHere is a rogue application, distributed by the Mindspark Interactive Network. It is supposedly capable of providing various printable forms, however, this app is proliferated by dubious methods and users are often tricked into installing it.

Therefore, it is categorized as a PUA (potentially unwanted application) and a browser hijacker, since it modifies browsers to promote hp.myway.com (a fake search engine). Additionally, GetFormsHere monitors users' browsing activity.

What is hp.myway.com?

Developed by the Mindspark Interactive Network, GetFamilyHistory is a browser hijacker. It is endorsed as a tool for quick access to free resources concerning family history, accompanied by a fake web searcher. GetFamilyHistory is supposedly capable of providing family tree information, last name origin and meanings, as well as other related content.

However, this rogue application modifies browsers and promotes hp.myway.com - a fake search engine. Due to most users installing this app inadvertently, it is classified as a PUA (potentially unwanted application). Furthermore, GetFamilyHistory has data tracking abilities and uses them to spy on browsing activity.

What is StructuredService?

StructuredService is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), categorized as adware. It is advertised as an app capable of enhancing web browsing.

Once StructuredService is installed, it begins displaying various intrusive advertisements. Its classification as a PUA, depends on the fact that most users install this application inadvertently. All PUAs are considered to be a threat to device and user safety; therefore, it is highly recommended to remove StructuredService and all similar apps immediately.

What is Tortoiseshell?

Tortoiseshell is a group of cyber criminals who proliferate malware that steals information about its victims and infected computers.

They proliferate an information stealer with a remote access Trojan (RAT) - software that allows cyber criminals to remotely control infected computers. The Tortoiseshell group seeks to infect computers with two dangerous malicious programs that can cause serious problems. These programs should be removed/uninstalled immediately.

What is FeedBack?

FeedBack is an adware-type potentially unwanted application (PUA). Once installed, it operates by displaying various undesirable advertisements.

Often PUAs of this type track and collect data, relating to users' browsing activity. Unwanted apps are classified as such, due to most users installing them onto their systems unintentionally. It is highly recommended to uninstall FeedBack and other adware immediately upon detection.

What is DCRTR-WDM?

DCRTR-WDM (or simply WDM) is the name of a family of ransomware-type programs. This family includes DCRTR, DCRTR-Crypt, Cryptes, and dozens of other infections. Ransomware is a type of software usually designed to prevent victims from accessing their data by encrypting it with strong encryption algorithms.

Generally, the only people who can provide tools that can decrypt files encrypted with specific ransomware are the cyber criminals who designed it.

To decrypt files, victims are encouraged to pay a ransom. Ransomware often renames encrypted files by changing the extensions, creates a ransom message (typically, within a .txt file), and/or displays a pop-up window with instructions about how to contact and pay cyber criminals.