Remove apps downloaded from managervanilla.pw

What is managervanilla[.]pw?

managervanilla[.]pw is a deceptive website that offers to update Adobe Flash Player. In fact, it downloads the installer of a potentially unwanted application (PUA) called MediaDownloader.

Typically, websites such as managervanilla[.]pw have no legal association with Adobe Flash Player and are simply used to trick people into installing browser hijackers, adware and other PUAs. In some cases, they are used to proliferate malicious software including Trojans and ransomware. Therefore, never trust managervanilla[.]pw or other similar websites.

When visited, managervanilla[.]pw displays pop-up windows suggesting that a version of Adobe Flash Player that is installed on the computer might be out of date, blocked, and not include the latest security updates. At the time of research, a file downloaded from managervanilla[.]pw was named "Adobe Flash Player.zip".

This contained another file named "Adobe Flash Player 2.dmg", the installer of MediaDownloader. Typically, files that can be downloaded from websites such as managervanilla[.]pw install PUAs that promote fake search engines by changing browser settings.

They also gather browsing data and/or display dubious advertisements. Having apps of this type installed on the browser and/or computer can lead to problems with browsing safety, privacy, and people might become victims of identity theft.

As mentioned, web pages such as managervanilla[.]pw can be used to trick people into infecting operating systems with malware (including ransomware), Trojans or other software of this kind. These programs can cause data/financial loss, installation of other malicious software, and other serious issues.

Adobe Flash Player and other legitimate software should be downloaded only from official websites and not through sites such as managervanilla[.]pw. If this type of software is already downloaded/installed, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	managervanilla.pw pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	This web page suggests that Adobe Flash Player might be out of date.
Detection Names (Adobe Flash Player.zip)	Avast (MacOS:Agent-FJ [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:Agent-FJ [Adw]), Ikarus (Trojan.MAC.Generic), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.ah), Full List (VirusTotal)
Promoted Unwanted Application	MediaDownloader
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.

Websites such as managervanilla[.]pw are commonly opened through deceptive ads, other untrustworthy websites, or PUAs already installed on browsers and/or operating systems. Typically, people do not visit pages such as managervanilla[.]pw or download/install PUAs intentionally.

Other examples of web pages employed to deceive visitors into using fake Adobe Flash Player installers include fineplayerreliablenew[.]best, yourultimatesafevideoplayers[.]info and theworldofcontents[.]info.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Typically, people download and/or install PUAs through deceptive advertisements that they have intentionally or accidentally clicked, or during download/installation of other (mainly free) software. The latter situation happens when developers distribute PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They include unwanted apps into the download/installation set-ups of various software and present them as additional offers.

These offers can usually be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the set-ups. PUAs infiltrate when people download/install programs without checking or changing the settings. Unwanted downloads and installations also occur through clicking ads, which then execute scripts designed to infiltrate rogue programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All software should be downloaded from official websites and through direct download links. Avoid other download/installation tools such as third party downloaders, installers, unofficial pages, or Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule). These are often used to distribute unwanted software.

Note that download/installation set-ups generally contain settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", which mention additional software offers. Check these settings and dismiss offers to download or install additional (unwanted) software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious pages.

Typically, these redirect people to other dubious pages or cause unwanted downloads/installations. Remove any unwanted, unknown or suspicious extensions, add-ons or plug-ins from the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system.

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 managervanilla[.]pw pop-ups:

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

Software update

"Adobe Flash Player" May be out of date

The version of "Adobe Flash Player" on your system may not include the latest flash update and may be blocked. If you use the updated version of ìAdobe Flash Playerî, it might be needed to complete this action.

LaterUpdateOK

Highly Recommended!

There is a new Codec Pack version. Download Now
for better performance.
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Appearance of managervanilla[.]pw scam (GIF):

Screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer:

Another screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer:

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 managervanilla.pw 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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