How to spot scams like Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March. smishing scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of scam is "Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March."?
It is a type of scam carried out over mobile text messaging. Scammers behind it seek to trick recipients into believing that they have received a "little gift" for paying a monthly bill. The message comes from the recipient's number - it looks like a legitimate message from the recipient himself. It also contains a website link.
More about the "Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March." smishing scam
Usually, cybercriminals behind smishing attacks attempt to steal personal data (like credit card details, login credentials) or distribute malware. They send text messages containing website links to trick recipients into downloading malware or opening fake websites requesting sensitive information.
In this case, scammers use text messages to trick recipients into opening 1tv[.]com (Channel One) - a Russian television channel page. Although many users receive the same message with a different link, all of them redirect to the same site - 1tv[.]com. Crooks may use smishing messages to trick users into opening other pages too (such as scam websites or malware-spreading sites). Their goal is unknown. However, it seems that it has something to do with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Either way, we strongly advise you not to click that link.
| Name | Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March. smishing message |
| Threat Type | Smishing |
| Fake Claim | Recipients have received a gift for paying a monthly bill |
| Related Domains (With Linked Detection Names in VirusTotal) |
gmec37[.]xyz, asqb39[.]xyz, bjas40[.]xyz, ztib48[.]xyz, yegkl8[.]com, shcw7[.]xyz, sqcy10[.]xyz |
| Symptoms | Suspicious messages and links in them, unknown or spoofed telephone numbers |
| Distribution methods | Mobile text messages |
| Damage | Loss of private information, identity theft, stolen accounts, monetary loss, malware infections |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Smishing scams in general
In most cases, the purpose of smishing attacks is to steal information or deliver malware. In the first case, scammers attempt to obtain information that they could use to steal identities, personal accounts, money, etc. Smishing text messages are often disguised as messages from legitimate companies or other entities.
How did my device got infected via a received text message?
Smishing messages used to deliver malware contain malicious website links. Those websites can be designed to trick visitors into downloading malicious apps or files. In other cases, cybercriminals use exploit kits to deliver malware via websites.
In the second case, those exploit kits check the devices for vulnerabilities that they can take advantage of. Exploit kits can be found on legitimate (but compromised) websites too. Either way, devices cannot get infected without opening links in smishing text messages.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Do not click links (or attachments) in suspicious emails or text messages. Always use official pages and platforms as sources for downloading apps and files. Keep the operating system and other installed software up to date. Update and activate the software using tools provided by the official developer.
Do not trust advertisements and notifications displayed by shady websites. Have antivirus software installed on your device. If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate all threats.
Text in the smishing message:
Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March. Thanks, here's a little gift for you: [malicious_URL]
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 "Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March."?
- 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)
Why did I receive this text message?
It is known that lots of people have received the same message recently. Scammers send the same (or similar) message to all recipients. This text message is not personal.
What is the purpose of this smishing attack?
Scammers attempt to trick recipients into opening the provided link that opens a Russian television channel site (Channel One website). This smishing message may include links leading to other pages too. The ultimate goal of scammers behind this smishing attack is currently unknown.
I have opened the link in this smishing message, is my device infected?
The link in this message opens a legitimate website. However, even legitimate websites can be compromised and used to distribute malware or steal sensitive information. It is unlikely that scammers use this smishing message to distribute malware, but it is possible.
Will Combo Cleaner remove malware from my device?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware infections. If a device is infected with high-end/sophisticated malware, it has to be scanned using a full scan. In such cases, the malware hides deep in the system, and running a quick scan is not enough to detect it.
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