Avoid downloading untrusted content promoted by maztek.xyz

What is maztek[.]xyz?

maztek[.]xyz is a scam site, which claims that the visitor's device has been infected. Note that no web page can detect threats/issues present in systems. Typically, scams of this type promote untrustworthy and/or malicious content. At the time of research, maztek[.]xyz redirected users to a broken website.

Most visits to this site occur via redirects caused by intrusive ads or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already infiltrated into the device.

There are several variants of the scam run by maztek[.]xyz. One version displays a pop-up window stating that the visitor's iPhone has been compromised and immediate action is required. Closing this window displays another page. It clarifies that the device has supposedly been infected with nine viruses.

Therefore, the browser has suffered significant damage from the viruses, which are identified as browser trojans. These fake viruses have apparently originated from visits to recently corrupted websites. Additionally, the trojans can proliferate and infect data such as Facebook accounts, Whatsapp messages, photos and other private apps.

Therefore, users are provided with instructions about how to eliminate the threats. Firstly, they are urged to press the "REMOVE VIRUS" button and download/install a VPN from the App Store. They must then open the application and install the latest updates, thereby removing older, infected versions of it.

Another variant of this scam also presents visitors with a pop-up, which is a bogus system notification. It notifies users that malware has been detected on their device and they must tap "OK" to initiate the repair process. Doing so, closes the window and the background page details that three viruses have been found on the user's iPhone.

Allegedly, the device's battery has already been damaged by this malware. As per the previously described version, this one also urges users to immediately remove the viruses to prevent further damage. The step-by-step removal instructions instruct users to click "Download and Install", thereby installing the recommended free VPN and anti-virus tool from the App Store.

They must then run this app and follow the instructions provided to remove the malicious software from their devices. Note that maztek[.]xyz and other sites making similar claims are all scams.

Trusting them will not remove any threats, since all of the detected issues are fake and nonexistent. Following the above steps will simply allow PUAs or even malware onto devices. Never download/install or purchase products promoted via these dubious methods.

As well as force-opening deceptive web pages, PUAs can redirect to sale-oriented, rogue, compromised and malicious websites. In fact, unwanted applications have varying capabilities. They can deploy intrusive ad campaigns - resulting in ads that diminish the browsing experience (by causing redirects to likewise harmful pages and stealthily downloading/installing unwanted content).

Other apps of this type modify browsers and limit or deny access to settings. Fake system cleaning/optimization software also falls within the PUA classification. These applications must be purchased to work (i.e., they require activation to perform the functions promised).

Following payment, however, they remain nonoperational. PUAs commonly track data, with information of interest including (but not limited to) IP addresses, browsing and search engine histories, geolocations and other personal details. The only purpose of this software is to generate revenue for the developers at users' expense.

PUAs can cause browser/system infiltration and infections, lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	maztek.xyz pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	Scam claims visitors' devices are infected.
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.18.48.110
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.

applecomsupport.com, vpnshieldplus4.com, and safebrowsing.network are examples of other deceptive web pages using an identical scam model as maztek[.]xyz. Other common features include warnings that an essential piece of software is outdated/missing, visitors have won 'amazing' prizes or received similarly unlikely offers, and so on.

The purpose of these schemes is to trick people into downloading, installing, purchasing nonfunctional, untrustworthy or malicious content, calling expensive bogus tech support lines, making monetary transactions (e.g. paying fees, fines, etc.) or otherwise encouraging them to inadvertently generate revenue for the scam's designers.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some PUAs have "official" download sites, which are frequently promoted by deceptive/scam pages. PUAs also proliferate via the download/install set-ups of other software. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing normal products with unwanted or malicious apps.

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps, using presets, etc.) endangers devices with potential infiltration and infections. When an intrusive ad is clicked, it can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched to verify their legitimacy, prior to download/installation. Use official and verified download channels. Avoid free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders - they are untrusted and can offer likewise dubious, even malicious content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions and other additions. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. pornography, gambling, adult-dating and so on).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. 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 displayed by maztek[.]xyz scam:

Your iPhone Has Been Compromised

Immediate Action Is Required!

Screenshot of the second page displayed by maztek[.]xyz:

Text presented in this page:

WARNING!
Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged by 9 viruses!
We have detected that your Browser is (62%) DAMAGED by BROWSER TROJAN VIRUSES picked up while surfing recent corrupted sites.
Immediate action is required to prevent it from spreading and infecting sensitive data like your Facebook account, Whatsapp messages photos and private applications.
Here is how you can solve this in just a few seconds (Step by Step)
Step 1: Tap REMOVE VIRUS to install VPN from the App Store.
Step 2: Open the application to activate the latest update and remove any older (Infected) versions.
Remove Virus

Appearance of the mobile version of maztek[.]xyz scam:

Screenshot of the initial pop-up displayed by another variant of maztek[.]xyz:

Text presented in the pop-up:

Apple Security Thursday
16 January 2020Friday

(1) SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Malware detected. Hit OK to repair.
OK

Screenshot of this variant's background page:

Text presented in this page:

Apple Security Thursday
16 January 2020Friday
(3) Viruses has been detected on your iPhone and battery has been infected and damaged.

If you do not remove this malware now, it may cause more damage to your device. How to fix this:

Step 1: Tap the button below & install the recommended VPN and virus protection tool free from the AppStore.

Step 2: Run the app, follow on screen instructions to remove malware and repair your phone remotely.
1 minutes and 18 seconds
Download and Install
Detected By (c) Apple.

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 maztek.xyz 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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