Do not download products promoted via secureblogcn.com scam website

What is secureblogcn[.]com?

Secureblogcn[.]com is an untrustworthy site running various scams. At the time of research, it promoted multiple variants of the "VPN Update" scheme. In essence, these scams attempt to trick users into downloading/installing and/or purchasing VPN software - through misleading or outright deceptive claims.

Schemes of this type aim to endorse unreliable and possibly dangerous products. Typically, they push fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and other PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). It is noteworthy that such scams may also proliferate malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, etc.).

Most users enter websites like secureblogcn[.]com via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by intrusive advertisements, or have them force-opened by installed PUAs.

The secureblogcn[.]com webpage promotes different variations of the "VPN Update" scam. They use moderately aggressive to passive tactics - in order to lure visitors into download/installation and/or purchase of the endorsed content.

The schemes can claim that users' might be currently under the surveillance of cyber criminals and other undesirables, insinuate that their personal documents have been infected, or imply that the installed VPN tools are outdated.

Other versions run on this site appear as ordinary and harmless promotional material of the software in question. Regardless of how the scams approach the subject matter, it is strongly advised against downloading/installing and/or purchasing products pushed through them.

The promoted apps are likely to be untrustworthy and may also have harmful abilities. Therefore, all downloads must be done only from official and verified sources - to avoid unintentionally allowing dubious content into the system. PUAs are often spread via online schemes.

These applications usually appear legitimate and offer a variety of "useful" functionalities, which are seldom operational. Fake anti-viruses are prime examples of this type of PUAs. They require activation (i.e., purchase) to perform the promised functionalities, yet following activation - the functions remain nonoperational.

Furthermore, unwanted apps can have unmentioned abilities. Some can force-open (cause redirects to) dangerous sites (e.g., secureblogcn[.]com). Adware-types run intrusive advertisement campaigns. The delivered ads severely diminish the browsing experience, and they pose a threat to device/user safety.

Upon being clicked, intrusive adverts redirect to unreliable/malicious websites, and some can stealthily download/install software. Another type of PUAs called browser hijackers operate by making modifications to browser settings and restricting/denying access to them - in order to promote fake search engines.

The web searchers this software causes redirects to - are typically unable to provide search results. Hence, illegitimate search engines tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. What is more, most PUAs can track data.

Targeted information includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations, and personally identifiable details. The collected data is then sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices - can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is highly recommended to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	secureblogcn.com pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Scam claims users' devices are lacking VPN software, or promotes it through generic promotional statements.
Promoted Unwanted Application	Various dubious applications
Serving IP Address	139.99.124.225
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.

Wcsoft[.]link, protected-connect[.]com, and penit[.]xyz are a couple examples of sites akin to secureblogcn[.]com. The Web is full of deceptive pages, and they use varied techniques to generate profit at user expense.

Common scam models include: claims that a piece of software is outdated or missing, alerts that the device is infected or at risk, fake prize giveaways, ludicrous deals and offers, and so on. Due to how widespread online schemes are, it is important to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs can have "official" promotional/download sites. These applications can also be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing tactic of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".

Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive adverts are used to proliferate PUAs as well.

Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to always research products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources.

Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc.

Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate and innocuous; however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable webpages (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it.

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 one of the scam variants promoted on secureblogcn[.]com:

Someone May Be Watching
What You Browse

Your IP 104.236.233.182 could be exposed.
Someone may know your Apple iPhone

Follow three steps to encrypt your web traffic and change your IP address:
    
Click below to download VPN.
Open app, click connect button.
Browse web and apps anonymously.

5 minutes 46 seconds

Install Now Cancel

Appearance of another scam variant run on secureblogcn[.]com: 

Text presented in this variant:

VPN update is recommended

 

Your browser might not display the webpage correctly.

 

Please install the recommended free VPN app to solve a potential problem.

Cancel
Install

Appearance of secureblogcn[.]com website's third scam variant:

Text presented in this variant:

Hаrbоr VРN - Sесurе Cоnnеctiоn

Harbor VPN is a must-have app for every user, as it combines two of the most important functions. It provides you with a stable VPN connection and effective ad blocker.

 

Fluent VPN connection, which works without breaks and slowdowns!

 

4 minute 38 seconds

Install Now Cancel

Appearance of the application promoted through the second and third scam variants:

Appearance of secureblogcn[.]com website's fourth scam variant:

Text presented in this variant:

VPN highly suggested for this site

Your browsing, streaming and download activity may be not private and may be unsecured.

 

Cancel  Install

 

0:11 / 1:38

Appearance of secureblogcn[.]com website's fifth scam variant:

Text presented in this variant:

There may be viruses in your documents.
Scan it now!

Your personal documents might be not protected.

Install the recommended app, open it and protect your iPhone.

4 minute 37 seconds

Install Now Cancel

To enable pop-up blocking, fraudulent website warnings, and remove web browsing data in mobile Apple devices, follow these steps:

First, go to "Settings", and then scroll down to find and tap "Safari".

Check if the "Block Pop-ups" and "Fraudulent Website Warning" toggles are enabled. If not, enable them immediately. Then, scroll down and tap "Advanced".

Tap "Website Data" and then "Remove All Website Data".

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 "secureblogcn[.]com"?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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