Avoid downloading fake Flash updates from mainsourceofupdates.best

What is mainsourceofupdates[.]best?

mainsourceofupdates[.]best is a deceptive website claiming that Adobe Flash Player is outdated. It operates by encouraging users into downloading/installing a fake Flash Player updater.

The rogue update installers are high-risk, since they are used to proliferate Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) such as adware, browser hijackers, and malicious content (e.g. trojans, ransomware and other malware).

Few visitors arrive at mainsourceofupdates[.]best intentionally - most are redirected by intrusive advertisements or PUAs already infiltrated into the device.

When this site is accessed, it displays multiple pop-up windows. Firstly, visitors are shown a large pop-up in the center of the page. It urges them to update their Flash Player, as the latest updates are necessary to ensure 'peak performance'. It elaborates that this software is an essential browser plug-in, which enables various media (e.g. video, animation, audio, online games, etc.).

The text repeats contextually identical messages, claiming that Adobe Flash Player does not have the latest security updates and has been blocked. Therefore, users can no longer use the software, unless it is updated. The second window, located in the bottom-right corner of the web page, encourages users to update, to continue watching unspecified content.

Then mainsourceofupdates[.]best displays another pop-up, which overlays the initial window. It makes identical claims. I.e., that Flash Player is out of date, lacks the latest security updates, and use can only be continued following the installation of latest updates.

Each of these pop-ups has download/update buttons, all of which lead to download of the fraudulent updater. Clicking any presents users with installation instructions. The first step instructs them to go to their "Downloads" list; the second, to locate and double-click a file leading with the words "Flash Player".

Lastly, users are to confirm the installation by clicking the "Confirm" and then "Install" buttons. These updates are fake and cannot update Adobe Flash Player - users will simply allow untrustworthy and/or malicious software onto their systems. You are strongly advised against trusting mainsourceofupdates[.]best or similar websites.

Downloading/Installing or purchasing content promoted on such pages should be avoided - doing so is likely to expose the device to various infiltration and infections, and can endanger user safety.

One of the main causes of redirects to mainsourceofupdates[.]best and similar sites are PUAs. These rogue apps can force-open a broad array of deceptive/scam, sale-oriented, untrustworthy, compromised and malicious sites, however, applications within this category can have other dangerous capabilities/purposes.

Fake system cleaners/optimizes require activation (i.e., must be purchased) to become functional. Yet, even after activation, they remain nonoperational. Adware-type unwanted apps deliver intrusive ad campaigns.

The ads (pop-ups, banners, surveys, etc.) significantly diminish the browsing experience and, when clicked, redirect to harmful web pages and/or stealthily download/install PUAs. Browser hijackers make unauthorized changes to browsers and limit/deny access to their settings. Most PUAs track data.

They can monitor browsing habits (browsing and search engine histories) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive data can then be shared/sold to third parties, seeking to misuse it for financial gain. The only purpose of PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than operating as advertised, they cause various infiltration and infections, lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device/user safety, remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	mainsourceofupdates.best pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	Site claims visitors Flash Player is outdated.
Detection Names (fake updater)	Avast (Other:Malware-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS), ClamAV (Osx.Trojan.SHLayer-6992220-1), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Shlayer.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	212.83.134.94
Promoted Unwanted Application	Site promotes fake Flash Player 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.

mainsourceofupgrade.best, yourfine2upgradesfree.best, and bambootornado.pw are some examples of other scam web pages virtually identical to mainsourceofupdates[.]best. Deceptive websites often employ social engineering and scare tactics to trick visitors into performing specific actions.

For example, to encourage them into downloading/installing/purchasing untrustworthy, malicious software, revealing personal and confidential information, making monetary transactions and so on. The purpose of these schemes is to generate revenue for the PUA designers.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs commonly infiltrate systems through the download/install set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, etc.) endangers devices with potential infiltration and infections.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. When intrusive ads are clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install these apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all content before downloading/installing. Use only official and verified download channels. Avoid untrustworthy download sources such as P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting sites, third party downloaders and similar.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of bundled products (e.g. apps, tools, features and so on). Intrusive advertisements often seem legitimate and normal, however, they redirect to dubious pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, check 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 window:

Software update
Update your Adobe Flash Player

Install the latest Flash Player for better performances.

Update now

"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.

The version of this plug-in on your computer doesn't include the latest security updates. Flash cannot be used until you download an update from Adobe.

> Click "Download Flash"

> Install updates and enjoy performances.
Download Flash... Update

Text presented in the bottom-right corner pop-up window:

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

Screenshot of the pop-up overlaying the initial pop-up window:

Text presented in this pop-up window:

“Adobe Flash Player” is out-of-date

The version of this plug-in on your computer doesn't include the latest security updates. Flash cannot be used until you download an update from Adobe.Update Download Flash...

Screenshot of the fake Flash Player update installation instructions provided by mainsourceofupdates[.]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 mainsourceofupdates[.]best scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the fake Flash Player update 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 mainsourceofupdates.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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