How to remove redirects to Gourluck scam websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What are the Gourluck websites?
Gourluck is a group of deceptive sites. These web pages run various scams, including a commonly promoted scheme called "Dear Safari User, You Are Today's Lucky Visitor". Few users enter these websites intentionally - most are redirected to them by intrusive ads or Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already infiltrated into the system.
Note that these apps do not need explicit consent to be installed onto devices. Following successful infiltration, however, PUAs cause redirects, deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers and track data.
Online scams employ various models to trick users and abuse their trust. Regardless of what they claim or how they work, their goal is identical: to generate revenue for the scammers behind them. For example, the "Dear Safari User, You Are Today's Lucky Visitor" scheme uses the 'fake prize' scam model.
These schemes promise users a reward or a chance to win one, however, rather than receiving prizes, any information that is provided (e.g. names, addresses, emails, baking account or credit card details, etc.) is stolen and misused in various ways. For example, to make online purchases, used for other scams, and so on.
Alternatively, users might be asked to pay fake shipping, registration, subscription fees or other fraudulent payments. Therefore, you are strongly advised against visiting or trusting Gourluck websites.
PUAs are one of the main causes behind rogue redirects to Gourluck and similar sites. These unwanted applications can force-open sale-oriented, untrusted/rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious pages, however, they also have additional capabilities.
Some can deliver intrusive ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.), which significantly diminish the browsing experience. Additionally, when these advertisements are clicked, they redirect to dubious/malicious web pages and can even execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs).
Other applications within this classification can hijack browsers by modifying settings, restricting/denying access to the settings and promoting fake search engines. Most PUAs can track data. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather 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 protect device integrity and user safety, you are advised to immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.
| Name | Gourluck pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Fake Claim | Some variants claims that users can win a prize. |
| Related Domains | Full List Below. |
| Detection Names (gourluck11[.]live) |
Fortinet (Spam), Spamhaus (Spam), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (gourluck11[.]live) | 193.35.50.251 |
| 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. |
Deceptive/scam websites are very common. Primechse, Chooseyour, and Hotrivsaln are just some examples of site groups similar to Gourluck. Online scams operate using social engineering and scare tactics to encourage users into performing specific actions.
Popular scheme models include prize giveaways, "unbelievable" offers/deals, claims that an essential piece of software is outdated/missing, and warnings that the system is infected or at risk. You are strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing - treat personal information with care.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Some PUAs have "official" download pages, which are often promoted by deceptive/scam sites. PUAs can also be downloaded with other software. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions.
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system. Intrusive ads also proliferate these apps. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs, without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
All products should be researched prior to download/installation or purchase. You are advised to use official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and can offer likewise suspect content.
When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions and so on. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).
If you encounter these advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and 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.
- gourluck1[.]live
- gourluck2[.]live
- gourluck4[.]live
- gourluck5[.]live
- gourluck8[.]live
- gourluck9[.]live
- gourluck11[.]live
- gourluck12[.]live
- gourluck16[.]live
- gourluck17[.]live
- gourluck20[.]live
Appearance of a Gourluck website promoting the "Dear Safari User, You Are Today's Lucky Visitor" scam (GIF):
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 Gourluck 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.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion