Avoid downloading files from theultimatesafevideoplayer.info

What is theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info?

theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info is one of many deceptive websites that attempts to trick visitors into installing adware or other potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This is achieved via an installer, which supposedly installs updates for Adobe Flash Player.

These sites are usually opened through clicked untrustworthy advertisements or PUAs already installed on the browser and/or operating system. Therefore, people do not generally visit websites such as theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info intentionally.

theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info displays pop-up windows suggesting that the installed version of Adobe Flash Player is outdated and does not include the latest security updates. It is also stated that Adobe Flash Player cannot be used unless it is updated.

Visitors of the theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info web page are encouraged to download an installer (at the time of research, a file called "AdobeFlashPlayerInstaller.dmg") and use it to update the currently-installed Adobe Flash Player version. As mentioned, fake updaters/installers are used to trick people into installing PUAs such as browser hijackers, adware and sometimes malware.

They do not update Adobe Flash Player, even if it is genuinely out of date. Browser hijackers are unwanted apps that promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings and recording browsing data. Typically, developers sell the details to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate revenue.

Adware-type apps serve advertisements (coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys, etc.) that conceal underlying content of visited websites - they also lead people who click them to untrustworthy websites or cause download/installation of unwanted applications.

Fake Adobe Flash Player installers and updaters are also designed to infect systems with malware such as ransomware, Trojans, or other malicious software. Therefore, it is not safe to execute files downloaded from deceptive websites including theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info or others.

Threat Summary:

Name	theultimatesafevideoplayer.info pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	This web page claims that current version of the installed Adobe Flash Player is out of date.
Detection Names (AdobeFlashPlayerInstaller.dmg)	Avast (Other:Malware-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DPS (B)), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Shlayer.a), Full List (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. ▼ 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.

Other examples of sites designed to trick people into installing unwanted, potentially malicious software through fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are mainsourceofupdates[.]best, mainsourceofupgrade[.]best and yourfine2upgradesfree[.]best. As mentioned, browsers often open these web pages due to PUAs installed on browsers or operating systems.

In most cases, people download and install apps of this type inadvertently.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Typically, people download and install potentially unwanted apps via deceptive ads that execute certain scripts, or when software developers distribute them using a marketing method called "bundling".

They use this method to trick people into downloading/installing unwanted software together with other regular programs by including PUAs into the download and/or installation set-ups.

They succeed simply by hiding information about these additionally-included apps in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. PUAs are downloaded and/or installed when people fail to check and change the aforementioned settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All software should be downloaded from official pages and via direct download links. Do not use third party downloaders or installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) or other similar channels to download or install software.

Do not perform any download or installation without checking all settings in the setup. Dismiss any offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not trust ads that are displayed on untrustworthy websites, since they might cause download/installation of unwanted applications or even malware.

If a browser opens dubious websites automatically, or various ads appear on visited web pages, it is likely a PUA is already installed. In this case, remove all unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons from the browser, and programs of this kind from 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 in the three pop-ups (see screenshot above):

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.

Software update
Adobe Flash Player
Install the latest update
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.

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

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

Screenshot of the initial pop-up:

Text in this pop-up:

Update to the latest version of Flash Player. Your current Adobe Flash Player version is out of date.

Screenshot of another pop-up that appears on theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info:

Text in this pop-up:

Software update

“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 pop-up with instructions about how to update Adobe Flash Player through a fake updater/installer:

Appearance of theultimatesafevideoplayer[.]info scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the fake Adobe Flash Player installer/updater:

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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 theultimatesafevideoplayer.info 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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