Apple.com-clear.live POP-UP Scam (Mac)

What is "apple.com-clear[.]live"?

apple.com-clear[.]live is a scam website that is used to promote the Cleanup My-Mac application. This website displays a fake virus alert and encourages users to remove 'computer infections' by downloading and installing the aforementioned potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Generally, people do not visit apple.com-clear.live intentionally - they are redirected to it by PUAs that are already installed on their computers or web browsers. Most PUAs cause redirects to scams or other dubious sites, feed users with advertisements, and gather data relating to browsing habits.

When visited, apple.com-clear[.]live displays a pop-up window stating that immediate removal of a detected trojan virus (e.tre456_worm_osx) is required.

The website itself contains a virus alert stating that the MacOS system is infected with not one, but three viruses: two malware infections and one phishing/spyware computer infection, which have already caused 28.1% percent system damage.

It is stated that these viruses should be removed immediately, otherwise they might cause data loss or be used to steal personal details relating to the visitor's bank accounts. To remove these threats, people are encouraged to click the "Scan Now" button. When clicked, apple.com-clear[.]live starts running a fake virus scan.

Once complete, it states that it has detected three viruses: Tapsnake, CronDNS, and Dubfishicv. To remove them, users are encouraged to download the Advanced Mac Cleaner app by clicking the "REMOVE VIRUSES NOW" button, however, rather than the Advanced Mac Cleaner, apple.com-clear[.]live downloads Cleanup My-Mac, another PUA.

We advise against downloading any of these apps or trusting the apple.com-clear[.]live website. Do not trust, download, or install any apps promoted via deceptive websites.

Typically, apps that cause redirects to sites such as apple.com-clear[.]live also display intrusive ads. These are usually various pop-up advertisements, surveys, coupons, banners, and so on. When clicked, they often cause download and installation of other unwanted apps or open dubious websites. Therefore, do not click ads served by PUAs.

Another problem with PUAs installed is information tracking. They collect URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, and so on. Some might also record personal details. Furthermore, developers share all collected information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

In summary, having these PUAs installed might lead to even more unwanted downloads, installations, computer infections, problems with browsing safety, privacy, and so on.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Apple.com-clear.live" virus
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Serving IP Address	94.237.87.169
Sibling Domains	apple.com-clear.live, mail.com-clear.live, webdisk.com-clear.live, webmail.com-clear.live, www.com-clear.live, www.cpanel.com-clear.live, www.webdisk.com-clear.live, www.webmail.com-clear.live, www.www.apple.com-clear.live, www.www.com-clear.live
Detection Names (apple.com-clear[.]live)	BitDefender (Malware), Fortinet (Malware), Malwarebytes hpHosts (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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.

apple.com-clear[.]live is virtually identical to many other websites of this type such as apple.security-help-center[.]club, apple.com-repair[.]live, and apple.com-clean-os[.]live. They are used to trick people into believing that their computers are infected.

They then encourage them to remove the issue using a potentially unwanted application. Do not trust these websites or apps promoted by them.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Few people install PUAs intentionally. In most cases, this happens when clicked intrusive ads execute scripts designed to cause various download and installations, or when developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They hide information regarding the inclusion (bundling) of unwanted apps in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", and other settings of software set-ups. Typically, unintentional downloads and installations occur when people download and install regular software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Do not download software using torrents, eMule, or other Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial/dubious websites, third party downloaders and other sources of this kind. The best way to download is using official websites and direct links.

Install downloaded software properly and do not skip any setup steps. Check included "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings - deselect unwanted software. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious websites. Ads of this type tend to cause redirects to websites relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.

If you experience these ads, or unwanted redirects occur without clicking any ads, check your browser for unwanted extensions. Check installed add-ons, and plug-ins and uninstall all suspicious, unwanted entries. Also uninstall unwanted programs from your computer.

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

apple.com-clear[.]live encourages visitors to remove viruses by downloading a PUA:

Appearance of apple.com-clear[.]live scam website (GIF):

Text messages presented in apple.com-clear[.]live website:

1.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

We have detected a trojan virus (e.tre456_worm_osx) on your Mac.

Press OK to begin the repair process.

 

 

 

2.
Your system is infected with 3 viruses! Friday, April 12, 2019 1:18 AM

Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses. Our security check found traces of 2 malware and 1 phishing/spyware. System damage: 28.1% - Immediate removal required!

The immediate removal of the viruses is required to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mac with MacOS 10.14 Mojave.

Personal and banking information is at risk.

To avoid more damage click on 'Scan Now' immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!
4 minute and 31 seconds remaining before damage is permanent.

 

 

3.
DOWNLOAD REQUIRED
Your Mac is heavily damaged! (33.2%)
Please download the Advanced Mac Cleaner application to remove 3 Viruses from your Mac.
VIRUS INFORMATION

Virus Name: Tapsnake; CronDNS; Dubfishicv
Risk: HIGH
Infected Files: /os/apps/hidden/os-component/X/snake.icv; /os/local/conf/keyboard/retype.icv...
REMOVE VIRUSES NOW
VIRUS REMOVAL

Application: Advanced Mac Cleaner
Rating: 9.9/10
Price: Free

Screenshot of the Cleanup My-Mac unwanted app:

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 "Apple.com-clear.live" 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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