Awesome Gift Of The Day Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Awesome Gift Of The Day?
Similar to You Are Today's Lucky Visitor, "Awesome Gift Of The Day" is a pop-up scam displayed by a malicious website. Research shows that users often visit this website inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission.
As well as causing redirects, potentially unwanted programs generate malicious advertisements (coupons, banners, pop-ups, etc.), misuse system resources, and gather private information.
After visiting this website, user encounters a number of redirects and are, initially, asked to complete a CAPTCHA. They are then presented with a pop-up message thanking them for their loyalty to Facebook and offering them a chance to win a $1000 credit equivalent to a Visa Card.
They must simply choose the "correct" gift. Once this pop-up is displayed, users are redirected to a site that contains many gift box images from which user must choose to "win". In fact, every box results in a win. Be aware, however, that the "Awesome Gift Of The Day" pop-up is a scam and has nothing to do with Facebook.
Cyber criminals attempt to generate 'malvertising' revenue by tricking innocent users into visiting dubious websites. After choosing the gift, users might be redirected to irrelevant websites or are asked to complete surveys, receiving nothing in return.
The Internet is full of 'easy money' scams offering pop-ups such as "Awesome Gift Of The Day" - they are fake and should be ignored. As mentioned above, some PUPs generate 'malvertising' ads. To achieve this, developers employ various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site.
The ads often conceal underlying content, thereby diminishing the browsing experience. Some are also designed to lead to malicious websites or even execute scripts that download and install malware - clicking them risks further computer infections.
Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs also perform various background tasks (e.g., mining cryptocurrency) without consent.
By misusing system resources, PUPs significantly diminish overall system performance. In addition, they often gather various data that might contain personal details. Developers sell this information to third parties. These actions are performed only to generate revenue. We strongly advise users to uninstall all potentially unwanted programs immediately.
| Name | "Awesome Gift of the Day" virus |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| 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, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| 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. |
In this case, the displayed pop-up claims that users can win money, however, in most cases, malicious websites display pop-ups claiming that the system is infected, missing files, or damaged in other similar ways (e.g., Firewall Breach Detected, Internet Security Alert, Internet Explorer Critical ERROR, etc.).
These pop-ups are designed to trick users into paying for unnecessary technical support, downloading dubious programs, visiting suspicious sites, clicking ads, or completing surveys. Potentially unwanted programs are also very similar. By offering various "useful features", they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.
In fact, these programs (and fake pop-ups) are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did adware install on my computer?
Research shows that some PUPs have official download/promotion sites, however, most infiltrate systems without permission due to lack of knowledge and careless behavior exhibited by many users.
Potentially unwanted programs are often proliferated using malicious ads, together with a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of rogue apps together with regular (usually free) software. Developers hide "bundled" programs within the "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of the download/installation processes.
Many users rush these processes and skip steps. Furthermore, they click various advertisements. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading and installing software. Be aware that criminals invest a great deal of time and resources into designing malicious ads.
Therefore, most appear genuine, however, they are identifiable, since they usually redirect to pornography, adult dating, survey, gambling, and other dubious websites. If you encounter such ads, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser add-ons.
Furthermore, avoid using third party download/installation tools, since criminals monetize them by employing the "bundling" method (they promote third party software). It is also very important to carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogues and cancel all additionally-included programs.
Text presented in "Awesome Gift Of The Day" pop-up:
Dear Facebook user, congratulations,
We would like to thank you for loyalty to Facebook, and thus we offer you an exclusive chance to get a Visa $1000 Card today - DATE. All you have to do is choose the correct gift box. Good luck!
The appearance of "Awesome Gift Of The Day" pop-up (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:
- What is Awesome Gift Of The Day?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "awesome gift of the day" virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
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 browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "awesome gift of the day" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "awesome gift of the day" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "awesome gift of the day" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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