Avoid downloading fake updates promoted by mainsourceofupgrade.best

What is mainsourceofupgrade[.]best?

mainsourceofupgrade[.]best (or mainsourceoffreeupgrade.best) is a deceptive web page designed to encourage visitors into downloading/installing a fake Flash Player updater. This scam is furthered by claims that Adobe Flash Player is out of date.

Rogue updaters are typically used to proliferate Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs), malware (e.g. trojans, ransomware), and other high-risk malicious content. Most visitors to mainsourceofupgrade[.]best enter it unintentionally - they are redirected to it by intrusive advertisements or PUAs already infiltrated into the device.

Once accessed, mainsourceofupgrade[.]best first displays several pop-up windows. The top of the page includes a tagline-like window, which states that the latest version of Flash Player is necessary to enable audio media (i.e., encode and/or decode audio files).

It urges users to click a highlighted download link of the fake updater. The pop-up at the bottom informs visitors that, to continue watching, they need to install the latest Adobe Flash Player version. The window displayed in the center of the web page recommends an update for online streaming and viewing purposes.

It also adds that no restart is needed to install these updates. Flash Player is an essential browser plug-in that enables a wide variety of media and, as it is allegedly missing the latest security updates, has been blocked. Therefore, users are instructed to download an updated version to continue use.

The mainsourceofupgrade[.]best website presents another pop-up, which overlays the one described above. This window contains virtually identical text to the overlaid pop-up, however, rather than definitively stating that Adobe Flash Player is outdated, it suggests that it "might" be out of date.

After any of the download/install buttons are clicked, mainsourceofupgrade[.]best gives instructions about how to install the updates. Firstly, users must open their downloads list. Secondly, they are to locate and double-click a file beginning with the words "Flash Player".

Lastly, they must run the application and follow the instructions provided by the update installer. Trusting mainsourceofupgrade[.]best will not result in visitors updating Adobe Flash Player, instead they will allow untrustworthy and/or potentially malicious content onto their systems.

Sites proclaiming that a crucial piece of software is outdated/missing cannot be trusted. You are strongly advised against downloading, installing or purchasing content endorsed in this manner.

As mentioned, deceptive/scam sites are often force-opened by PUAs. Unwanted applications possess many dangerous capabilities, including generating redirects to dubious web pages. Fake system cleaners/optimizers also belong to this category. This type requires activation to work (i.e., they must be purchased to perform their advertised functions).

Even after activation, however, they remain nonoperational. Other PUAs can run intrusive ad campaigns. Therefore, they deliver unwanted and harmful ads. Another kind can make unauthorized changes to browsers and limit/deny access to settings. Most PUAs also have data-tracking capabilities, regardless of their specific type.

They can record browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

This private data might then be shared with third parties seeking to profit by putting it to criminal use. In summary, PUAs can cause browser/system infiltration and infections and lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	mainsourceofupgrade.best pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	Site claims that the visitor's Flash Player is outdated.
Detection Names (fake updater)	Avast (Other:Malware-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Shlayer.a), Ikarus (Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Shlayer), Full List (VirusTotal)
Promoted Unwanted Application	Site promotes fake software updates.
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. ▼ 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.

yourfine2updatesgo.best, mainsourceofupdate.best, and centersourceoffreeupgrade.best are some examples of other scams practically identical to mainsourceofupgrade[.]best. There are many schemes run on deceptive web pages.

For example, fake claims about outdated/missing software, alerts about threats/issues detected on the device, 'amazing' offers and prize announcements, and so on. The aim of these scams is to trick visitors into downloading/installing/purchasing dubious and/or malicious content, making expensive calls, transferring money, revealing sensitive information, etc.

The underlying purpose of these deceptive websites is to generate revenue for their designers at users' expense.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs typically infiltrate devices without users' consent. They can be installed via fake updaters or downloaded/installed together with normal software. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/install processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content onto devices. When clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all content, prior to downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download sources. Untrustworthy download channels such as P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders are more likely to offer bundled software.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all available options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads often seem normal and innocuous, however, they cause redirects to dubious web pages, such as gambling, pornography, adult-dating and similar.

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. 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 initial pop-up windows:

Upper pop-up:

 

Latest version of Flash Player is required to encode and/or decode (Play) audio files in high quality. - Click here to update for latest version.

-----

 

Bottom pop-up:

 

Flash Player Update
Install latest version of Adobe Flash Player in order to continue watching.
Download

-----

 

Center pop-up:

 

Software update
Recommended Update
For streaming and online watching
Update now

Software Update
This update is recommended and no restart is needed

"Adobe Flash Player" is an essential plugin for your browser that allows you to view everything from video to games and animation on the web. The version of “Adobe Flash Player" on your system does not include the latest security updates and has been blocked.

To continue using “Adobe Flash Player", download an updated version.
Update Download Flash...

Screenshot of the overlaying pop-up:

Text presented in this pop-up:

Software Update
This update is recommended and no restart is needed

“Adobe Flash Player” might be out-of-date
The version of this plug-in on your computer might not include the latest security updates. Flash might not work until you download an update from Adobe.
Download Flash...

Screenshot of installation instructions for the fake updates provided by mainsourceofupgrade[.]best:

Text presented in this page:

1
Go to the ‘Downloads’
Open your downloads list by
clicking on the top right corner
the ‘arrow’.

2
Open the file
Locate and double-click the file
starting with ‘Flash Player’.

3
Run the application
Confirm the installation by clicking
Continue and Install
buttons.
Type your password.

Appearance of mainsourceofupgrade[.]best scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the fake Flash Player updater installation setup:

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▼ 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 mainsourceofupgrade.best 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.

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