10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player POP-UP Scam (Mac)

What is "10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player"?

"10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player" is a deceptive notification (pop-up) informing users of 'highly recommended' Adobe Flash Player updates, however, it is displayed on an untrustworthy, deceptive website.

Many people visit this type of website inadvertently - potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) cause unwanted redirects to them. Furthermore, installed PUAs often serve intrusive ads and gather various browsing-related (and other) data.

According to the "10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player" message, the Flash Player installed on the system might be outdated. It encourages users to perform a 'manual update'. It states that running an outdated Flash Player might increase the risk of computer infection by malware (malicious programs).

This deceptive notification often tricks people into updating Flash Player by downloading an installer that seems to be official Adobe software (there is a screenshot of it below), however, we strongly recommend that you ignore any offers to update software that is displayed on any unofficial websites.

Typically, these sites promote and distribute various unwanted applications (PUAs). We advise you to close this deceptive pop-up and the website that triggered it. If this cannot be done in the normal way, open Activity Monitor and quit the browser from there.

Do not restore the previously closed browsing session the next time you open a web browser, since you will be redirected to an identical dubious/deceptive website.

PUAs are usually responsible for redirects to dubious websites, however, unwanted redirects are not the only problem that these apps are capable of causing. PUAs often deliver intrusive ads and gather various information. These apps feed people with ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on.

These are usually displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. When clicked, they redirect to other untrustworthy websites or execute scripts designed to download/install even more PUAs (that might also be malicious programs).

Another downside of having unwanted apps of this type installed is that they gather IP addresses, search queries, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, and often other personal information that PUAs developers share with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue.

The recorded data might fall into the hands of cyber criminals. Therefore, PUAs can lead to various privacy, browsing safety problems, or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	"10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player" virus
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady 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.

Many deceptive websites are used to trick people into believing that some of their software needs to be updated, that there are problems with the operating system, and so on. The main purpose of these websites is to trick people into installing software that can be later used to generate revenue in one way or another.

In some cases, they encourage visitors to contact scammers who attempt to extort money by offering their services, technical support, and so on. Some examples of other deceptive websites/scams include "APPLE.COM RECOMMENDS", ""Install" Would Like To Control This Computer", and "Apple Support Alert".

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some potentially unwanted applications can be found on websites that are used to promote them, however, most people install these apps inadvertently by clicking various (untrustworthy, deceptive) advertisements or when software developers use "bundling".

Bundling is a deceptive marketing method used to trick people into downloading/installing potentially unwanted apps together with other software. Information about the inclusion of unwanted apps in installation/download set-ups is often not properly disclosed.

As a rule, these apps are hidden in "Custom"/"Advanced" settings of the set-ups. Furthermore, many users skip the download/installation steps without checking the included settings, thus causing unwanted downloads and installations that later result in various problems.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent unwanted installations/downloads, avoid downloading software from untrustworthy and unofficial sources, using third party software downloaders, installers, and so on. Using direct links and official and trustworthy websites only. Never skip download/installation steps without checking the included "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options.

Dismiss offers to install or download unwanted software, and only then proceed to the next step or finish the download/installation process. Note that many untrustworthy, intrusive ads, redirect users to dubious, potentially malicious websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on).

If you encounter advertisements or redirects caused by them, check installed applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) on your browser and remove all unknown, unwanted entries immediately. Also check the list of installed programs on your computer (MacOS).

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of "10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player" scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the deceptive "Player Installer" setup:

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 "10 Critical Security Patches For Mac Flash Player" virus?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

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