Do not trust fake updates promoted by startnewestmostprogram.icu

What is startnewestmostprogram[.]icu?

startnewestmostprogram[.]icu is scam website, which promotes a fake Flash Player updater. Visitors to this site are indirectly informed that their Flash software is outdated. These bogus updaters are used to proliferate a variety of untrustworthy and malicious content.

For example, they spread Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) and malware (e.g. trojans, ransomware, etc.). Sites like startnewestmostprogram[.]icu are rarely accessed intentionally - typically, users are redirected to these deceptive web pages by intrusive ads or PUAs.

Visitors to startnewestmostprogram[.]icu first see a pop-up window with text informing users that Flash Player is an essential browser plug-in. It enables users to view media including audio, animation and video. Additionally, it allows them to interact with media such as online games.

Flash-supported data formats are also listed, such as AMF, SWF, XML, JSON and multimedia formats including .MP3, .FLV, .JPEG, .GIF, .PNG and .RTMP. Other features include accelerated graphics rendering, multi-thread video decoding and webcam support.

When the "Install" button is clicked, download of the fake updater is initiated and the web page provides installation instructions. Note that these updates are fake, and therefore installing them will not update Flash Player. Trusting startnewestmostprogram[.]icu will simply allow dubious, malicious software onto your system.

Therefore, you are strongly advised against downloading/installing any content promoted via these dubious means.

Deceptive/Scam web pages are often force-opened by PUAs. These unwanted apps can also force-open sale-oriented, untrustworthy/rogue, compromised and malicious sites. Applications within this category can also have other dangerous capabilities.

Adware-type apps run intrusive ad campaigns - they deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other ads that diminish the browsing experience. Furthermore, these ads are a threat to device and user safety. Once an intrusive advertisement is clicked, it can redirect to dangerous websites and execute scripts to download/install unwanted content (e.g. PUAs).

Another type of unwanted application is called a browser hijacker - this modifies browser settings, limits/denies access to the settings and promotes fake search engines. Most PUAs, regardless of their specific capabilities, can track data.

They record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit.

To summarize, PUAs can cause various browser/system infiltration and infections, lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	startnewestmostprogram.icu pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	Site implies Flash Player needs to be updated.
Detection Names (fake updater)	Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-CJ [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.DXI), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/Adware.Bundlore.CO), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.x), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (startnewestmostprogram[.]icu)	34.202.53.95
Promoted Unwanted Application	Scam 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.

Theworldofcontents.info, mainplaceupgradesfree.info, and startmostnewestprogram.icu are examples of deceptive sites similar to startnewestmostprogram[.]icu. They deliver alerts that a crucial piece of software is outdated - this is simply one of many scam models.

Other common scams include warnings that the device infected or at risk, announcements of various prize winnings, 'amazing' deals and so on.

The purpose is to trick people into performing certain actions such as downloading, installing or purchasing untrustworthy or malicious content, calling fake "free" technical support numbers, paying fees, payments and other monetary transactions, revealing personal information, etc.

The only purpose of these schemes is to generate revenue for the designers. Therefore, you are strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Fake updaters are just one method of PUA proliferation. These apps can also be downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing normal content with unwanted or malicious software is called "bundling".

By ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options when downloading/installing, many users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content onto their devices. Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages on which are commonly endorsed - these are simply deceptive/scam pages.

When intrusive advertisements are clicked, they can execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

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

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads can seem harmless, however, they often cause redirects to highly dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, 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 pop-up:

Software Update

Flash Player Update
Download new version
Update now

Flash Player is essential plugin for your browser that allows you to view everything from video to games and animation on the web.

Flash Player supports several data formats including AMF, SWF, XML and JSON. The multimedia formats which are supported by Flash Player include .MP3, .FLV, .JPEG, .GIF, .PNG and .RTMP.

Other supported features include accelerated graphics rendering, multi-thread video decoding and webcam support.

Later Install

Appearance of startnewestmostprogram[.]icu scam (GIF):

Screenshot of installation instructions of the fake Flash Player updates:

Screenshot of the fake Flash Player update installation setup:

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 startnewestmostprogram.icu 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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