Avoid downloads from scam web pages such as truefalserdr
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Truefalserdr?
Truefalserdr is a scam website used to trick people into downloading and installing an unwanted application named Smart Mac Booster.
To achieve this, scammers designed this web page to inform visitors of a 'detected virus'. Visitors are encouraged to believe that their computers are infected with a virus and to install the advertised app. Do not trust pages of this type or apps distributed through them.
When opened, this scam page shows a pop-up window with a notification stating that it has found a virus that infected the operating system through another page visited earlier. When the pop-up is closed, the realfalserdr website displays a table with device information such as MacOS version, browser, IP address, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and geolocation.
These details supposedly make the scam more convincing. It also contains the "Scan Now" button, supposedly to scan the system for viruses. When clicked, however, it starts a fake scan which detects a high-risk virus named "Bankworm".
This scam page encourages users to remove the virus by clicking the "REMOVE VIRUS NOW" button, however, this simply leads to another dubious web page, a download site for Smart Mac Booster. Do not download or install this, or other apps, advertised on deceptive web pages. If the browser opens a web page of this kind, ignore the information and close it.
In many cases, browsers open scam sites due to potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) installed on them. In addition to redirects to scam and other dubious pages, PUAs gather data and display ads. PUAs collect IP addresses, entered search queries, geolocations, addresses of visited websites and other data relating to users' browsing habits.
It is possible that personal details might also be collected. People behind these apps share the data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Another downside of having these apps installed is that most feed users with ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on.
Being served with these ads might be annoying, since they are often displayed using tools that enable placement or third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they conceal underlying content of any visited website. Furthermore, if clicked, they might open dubious, malicious websites or execute scripts designed to download/install additional unwanted apps.
| Name | truefalserdr pop-up |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Fake Claim | According to this scam, the visitor's MacOS system is infected with the Bankworm virus. |
| Promoted Unwanted Application | Smart Mac Booster |
| Related Domains | app3173.truefalserdr49[.]live |
| Serving IP Address (app3173.truefalserdr49[.]live) | 79.110.23.105 |
| Detection Names (best1539.checkingforward54[.]life) | Fortinet (Spam), Spamhaus (Spam), 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), display 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. |
Examples of other similar scam pages are Checkingforward, Fastsearchday, and Falseortruerdr. All of these pages trick people into installing another unwanted application. Do not trust these pages or download/install apps advertised on them.
PUAs responsible for opening such pages are all very similar: developers present them as useful, legitimate apps, however, once installed, they do not operate as promised. They open dubious pages, gather information, and display unwanted ads.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Most PUAs are downloaded/installed through the set-ups of other software. Information about additionally added apps is usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings/options of the installation/download set-ups. Developers include unwanted apps into the set-ups of other software and hope that people will not check the settings.
This marketing method is called "bundling". Unfortunately, it often works, since many people fail to check and change settings available in set-ups - they do not dismiss offers to download/install PUAs. In other cases, unintentional downloads and installations happen when people click certain deceptive ads. These run scripts that download and install unwanted software.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download programs from official, trustworthy websites and use direct download links. Download sources/tools that should not be trusted are various third party downloaders, installers, torrents clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites, etc.
If a download or installation setup includes "Advanced", "Custom" and other options/settings, do not leave then unchecked. Deselect offers to download or install unwanted apps. To avoid unwanted download/installations, do not to click deceptive, intrusive ads, especially on dubious pages relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on.
If the browser opens dubious web pages or displays intrusive ads, remove all unwanted or suspicious apps such as extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins. Also apply this to programs of this type installed on the operating system (computer). If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in the pop-up window:
VIRUS FOUND
A website you visited today has infected your Mac with a virus.
Press OK to begin the repair process.
Screenshot of a table with device information:
Text in this page:
VIRUS FOUND
A website you have visited today has infected your Mac with a virus. A full system scan is now required to find and remove harmful files or applications from your Mac OS X 10_14_6 device.
DEVICE INFORMATION
Brand: Apple
Device: Mac OS X 10_14_6
Browser: Chrome 76.0.3809.100
IP: -
Provider: -
Location: - LT
Scan Now
Screenshot of scam page encouraging users to download unwanted application:
Text in this page:
DOWNLOAD REQUIRED
Please download the Advanced Mac Cleaner application to remove Bankworm from your Mac.
VIRUS INFORMATION
Virus Name: Bankworm
Risk: HIGH
Infected File: /os/apps/worm.icv
VIRUS REMOVAL
Application: Advanced Mac Cleaner
Rating: 9.9/10
Price: Free
REMOVE VIRUS NOW
Smart Mac Booster download page:
Smart Mac Booster app:
Appearance of Truefalserdr scam (GIF):
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 truefalserdr pop-up?
- 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.
Outstanding!
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