Avoid getting scammed by the secure-support.space website

What is the secure-support[.]space site?

Secure-support[.]space is a deceptive website running various scams. At the of research, this page ran a scheme targeting iPhone users. The scam claims that visitors' iPhones have been infected and recommends installing a free protection tool.

Typically, such schemes push untrustworthy software, e.g., fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and other PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). In seldom cases, scams of this kind are used to proliferate malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, etc.).

Sites like secure-support[.]space are usually accessed via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by rogue webpages, intrusive ads, or installed PUAs.

Secure-support[.]space in detail

The scam promoted on secure-support[.]space displays a pop-up disguised as a system notification. This fake message claims that malware has been detected on the visitor's device.

The text presented on the background page states that the nonexistent infection has led to the device's calendar being hijacked, the battery being infected, and photos being stolen. Supposedly the malware may cause other issues. The scam instructs to install the recommended software, which will allegedly repair the iPhone.

It must be emphasized that no website can detect threats present on visitors' systems; hence, all that make such claims - are scams.

It is rare for scams to promote legitimate applications, they more commonly push untrustworthy and even harmful software products.

For example, they can endorse various PUAs, such as apps that force-open dubious and malicious sites (e.g., secure-support[.]space), fake anti-virus tools that require purchase yet cannot operate as advertised, adware that runs intrusive ad campaigns, browser hijackers that modify browsers and promote fake search engines, and so forth. What is more, most unwanted apps collect sensitive data in order to sell it to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of such software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	secure-support.space pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim	Scam claims that visitors' iPhones have been infected with malware
Detection Names	Comodo Valkyrie Verdict (Phishing), Full List (VirusTotal)
Promoted Unwanted Application	Various dubious apps
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.

Online scams in general

Churrasqueirataylor[.]com, track-app[.]fun, client-privacy[.]space, and secure-inform[.]space are some examples of sites akin to secure-support[.]space. The Internet is rife with misleading, deceptive, and malicious content.

Popular scam models include: warnings that the device is infected, alerts that a software product is outdated or missing, fake prize giveaway, and so on. Due to the prevalence of online schemes, it is strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Select PUAs have "official" promotional/download webpages. These applications are also distributed using the "bundling" technique - packing ordinary programs with various additions. Rushed download/installation processes increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download from official/trustworthy sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled and harmful content.

Download/Installation processes have to be treated with caution; that includes - reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out from all supplements. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate, yet they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., pornography, gambling, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. 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 scam promoted on secure-support[.]space website:

Pop-up:

 

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

 

-----------------

 

Background page:

 

Apple SecurityThursday
30 September 2021

(129) Viruses have been detected on your iPhone - hackers hijacked your calendar, infected your battery and trying to steal your photos.

 

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 AdBlocker 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.

01 minutes and 32 seconds

Remove Virus

Detected By Apple.

Appearance of the secure-support[.]space scam's background page:

Appearance of an application promoted through the scam run on secure-support[.]space website:

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 "secure-support[.]space"?
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages intended to trick users into performing specific actions, e.g., downloading/installing dubious or malicious software, disclosing personal data, making bogus payments, etc. At the time of research, the secure-support[.]space website ran a scam that promoted various (likely untrustworthy and harmful) apps.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are designed to generate revenue, yet how they achieve this - differs. In case of the secure-support[.]space site, it promotes various applications (which are likely to have harmful abilities). In general, online schemes profit by selling vulnerable information disclosed by users, spreading malware, requesting fake payments, and so forth.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are run on deceptive websites, which are usually accessed inadvertently. Most visitors to such pages enter them via mistyped URLs, or redirects caused by rogue sites, intrusive ads, or unwanted software present on the system.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning visited websites and detecting malicious ones. Pages that host pop-up scams fall within this classification; hence, you will be warned immediately, and access to such sites will be restricted.

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