How to identify scams pages like blocker.digital?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of page is blocker[.]digital?
The purpose of this website is to trick visitors into downloading and installing a potentially unwanted application (PUA). It claims that a device has been hacked and encourages to protect it with a specific application. This and similar pages using scare tactics to promote questionable software have to be ignored.
Blocker[.]digital scam page in detail
Blocker[.]digital displays a fake Apple security warning claiming that the device connection has been hacked and needs to be fixed within two minutes. If not, the hacker will reveal the user's identity and send browsing history, photos made with the front camera to all people in the contacts list.
This page encourages visitors to tap the "Protect your connection" button to download and then install some PUA. Blocker[.]digital could be used to trick visitors into downloading adware, browser hijacker, or other unwanted software. Either way, this site should not be trusted.
Name | blocker.digital pop-up |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus |
Fake Claim | Device has been hacked |
Detection Names | Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Malicious), Full List (VirusTotal) |
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. |
Scams in general
As a rule, scams like blocker[.]digital show fake virus or system notifications claiming that a device has been hacked, infected, or there is some other problem that needs to be solved immediately. Their goal is to promote questionable software. More examples of similar pages are svpni[.]cyou, promoland[.]space, and advanced-checker[.]com.
Websites like blocker[.]digital are promoted through advertisements, other untrustworthy pages, or potentially unwanted apps that most users download or install unknowingly.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Users download or install PUAs by clicking advertisements designed to execute specific scripts, via fake installers or downloaders, installers for programs bundled with PUAs. Advertisements used to distribute PUAs are displayed on untrustworthy pages. Fake installers are promoted on shady pages too.
Downloaders or installers for programs bundled with PUAs have "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings that can be used to deselect unwanted apps. Users download or install PUAs together with other programs when they leave those settings unchanged.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download apps and files from official pages or other legitimate, trustworthy sources. Do not trust (click) advertisements displayed on questionable pages. Do not download or install programs without checking their downloaders or installers for settings that could be used to deselect unwanted apps.
If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Text in the fake Apple security warning message:
(17) System notifications
Read important notices about your iOS device.
OK
Apple security
Hackers are watching you!Your Apple iPhone connection has been hacked and someone is watching on you! Please do not close this page. If you don't fix this in two minutes, the hacker will reveal your identity and send your browsing history and front-facing camera photos to everyone in your contacts!
1 seconds 42 seconds
Recovery method:
Step 1: Click the "Connection Protection" button below.
Step 2: You will be redirected to the App Store.
Step 3: Install and run the recommended protection app to recover your Apple iPhone.
Protect your connection
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 "blocker[.]digital"?
- 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 scam is a fake virus, error or other notification/message appearing with the purpose to trick unsuspecting users into downloading and installing potentially malicious apps, providing personal information, or performing other actions.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
As a rule, pop-up scams/deceptive websites are promoted through other pages of this kind (for example, through pages using rogue advertising networks), installed untrustworthy apps. Either way, users do not open these scam pages intentionally.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner is designed to scan all websites that you visit and identify/detect the malicious ones (including the pages that display pop-up scams). This app warns users about the aforementioned pages and restricts access to them.
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