Avoid getting scammed by fake "Onlinemart Reward" websites/emails
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the fake "Onlinemart Reward"?
"Onlinemart Reward scam" is a scheme run on various untrustworthy websites. This scam claims that by completing a brief survey, users will receive a reward worth at least 90 USD.
It must be emphasized that the information provided by the fake "Onlinemart Reward" is false. Hence, regardless of what actions users take - they will not receive any prizes and may experience serious issues instead.
This scam type aims to promote misleading, deceptive, and malicious sites. Visiting and/or using such webpages can result in a variety of severe problems.
"Onlinemart Reward" has been notably pushed through spam emails with the subject/title "...PLS..C0NFlRM..Y0UR..0RDER...90995" (may vary). Typically, users access scam websites via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by intrusive advertisements, or have them force-opened by installed PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
The "Onlinemart Reward" scam states that over 4 million USD in prizes has already been given out. Users are urged to complete a 30-second questionnaire about their shopping experiences.
By doing so, the scheme proclaims that users will be able to select one of the exclusive reward offers (minimum value 90 USD). Once the survey is completed, the deceptive site presents a list of available prizes.
However, by attempting to claim one - users are redirected to a different unreliable or dangerous webpage. This scam has been observed redirecting to phishing websites - designed to steal information entered into them.
The promoted pages targeted personal data, i.e., names, surnames, addresses, emails, and telephone numbers. Scammers can sell the collected information to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals), and/or use it to create personalized schemes.
Furthermore, the endorsed sites offered products for free or for sale. Even when content is offered free of charge, such websites can still ask for some payment (e.g., shipping, registration, subscription, etc.).
Dubious payment gateways are often used, which operate as phishing scams for banking information (e.g., record credit card numbers, etc.). With this sensitive data in their possession, scammers may be able to make fraudulent transactions and/or online purchases.
The products of these sites are usually nonexistent, yet if buyers do receive them - they are likely to be much cheaper, fraudulent, or even dangerous for use/consumption. To summarize, by trusting the "Onlinemart Reward" scam, users can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
As mentioned in the introduction, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, and malicious webpages can be force-opened by PUAs. These applications can have different abilities in varied combinations. Adware-types deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns.
The delivered ads diminish the browsing experience, and they are hazardous. When clicked on, intrusive adverts redirect to harmful 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 promoted web searchers rarely can provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate search engines.
What is more, most PUAs monitor users' browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searches queries, etc.) and gather vulnerable data extracted from it (IP addresses/geolocations, personally identifiable information, etc.). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties. Therefore, to ensure device and user safety, it is paramount to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
Name | Onlinemart Reward scam website |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | Scam claims that users will receive a reward if they complete a short survey. |
Related Domains | ggshooter[.]com |
Serving IP Address (ggshooter[.]com) | 104.21.17.81 |
Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"PayApp Reward scam", "UPS Rewards scam", and "Shopper Survey scam" are a couple examples of scams practically identical to "Onlinemart Reward". The Internet is full of various different schemes with the sole goal of generating revenue at victims' expense.
Frequently used models include: fake prize giveaways, ludicrous offers, alerts that a piece of software is missing or outdated, warnings that the device is infected or at risk, and so forth. Due to how widespread deceptive content is online, it is strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs can be downloaded/installed alongside other software. "Bundling" is the name of this false marketing tactic of pre-packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions.
By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, etc.) - users risk allowing bundled content into their systems. Intrusive advertisements are also used to proliferate PUAs.
Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. Select PUAs have "official" download webpages as well.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. It is also recommended to always download from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer dangerous and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads appear legitimate and harmless; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
Should users encounter adverts and/or redirects of this kind, they must inspect the systems and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "Onlinemart Reward" scam:
Over $4,000,000 in Offers given out so far!
Onlinemart
April 22, 2021
Limited Timed Offer
Get a $90 promo reward
Congratulations!
Complete this short 30-second survey about your shopping experience to select one of our exclusive reward offers (minimum value $90).
This offer is available for today only: April 22, 2021.
Take Survey Now
The appearance of "Onlinemart Reward scam" pop-up scam (GIF):
Screenshots of websites pushed through the "Onlinemart Reward" scam:
Screenshot of the spam email promoting "Onlinemart Reward" scam:
Text presented in this email letter:
Subject: ...PLS..C0NFlRM..Y0UR..0RDER...90995
Walmart
CONGRATULATIONS
This email has only been sent to 10 customers in your area.
In this way, we would like to thank you for being here for us.
You are one of the current customers to win an exclusive reward
[CONFIRM]
The advertiser does not manage your subscription.
If you prefer not to receive further communication please unsubscribe here
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Onlinemart Reward scam"?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the onlinemart reward scam website, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with onlinemart reward scam website removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the onlinemart reward scam website, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the onlinemart reward scam website, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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