Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Hknet?

Ransomware is a type of malware that blocks access to files by encrypting them. Usually, victims cannot access or use any of the encrypted files until they decrypt them with a specific decryption tool that the attackers encourage them to purchase. It is common that ransomware modifies filenames.

Hknet renames encrypted files by appending ".hknet" as the file extension. For instance, it renames a file named "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.hknet", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.hknet", and so on.

It also creates the "Recovery_Instructions.html" file (its ransom note) in all folders that contain affected files. Hknet is part of the MedusaLocker ransomware family.

What is the security-protect[.]org website?

Security-protect[.]org is an untrustworthy site designed to promote various scams. At the time of research, this webpage ran a scheme targeting iPhone users.

However, it is not unlikely that the website can be accessed on other Apple devices as well. The scam claims that visitors' iPhones have been infected and recommends an untrustworthy software product, supposedly capable of eliminating the nonexistent malware.

Typically, schemes of this type endorse fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and other PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). The scams may even proliferate malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, etc.).

Users seldom enter deceptive webpages intentionally; most access them via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by intrusive ads, or have the sites force-opened by installed PUAs.

Dollarsurvey365[.]online pop-up ads removal instructions

What is dollarsurvey365[.]online?

Quite often, web pages like dollarsurvey365[.]online are promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that most users download and install on browsers, computers unintentionally. In other words, users do not visit such websites intentionally. There are many other pages like dollarsurvey365[.]online, for example, rdsb21[.]club, bengekoo[.]com, and spleasedon[.]fun. It is noteworthy that PUAs can be designed to serve advertisements, gather browsing-related and other data.

What is Video Explorer?

Video Explorer is a rogue browser extension promoted as a tool for easy access to video-hosting platforms. This functionality operates by allowing users to search YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook Video, Google Video, and Bing - by highlighting text on any website and opening the right-click menu.

However, following successful installation, Video Explorer begins delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it starts displaying various misleading, untrustworthy, and even malicious ads. Due to this, Video Explorer is classified as adware. Additionally, this piece of software collects browsing-related information.

Due to the dubious methods used to distribute adware-type apps, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

What is the HackBoss stealer?

HackBoss is a piece of malicious software classified as a stealer. It operates by redirecting outgoing cryptocurrency transactions by replacing recipients' cryptowallet addresses with its own. This malware has netted significant gain in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Litecoin, and Dogecoin cryptocurrencies.

The HackBoss stealer is active worldwide, particularly in the United States, Nigeria, and Russia. Its main proliferation method is via various fake hacking, "cracking", password brute-forcing tools, and other malicious applications - supposedly designed to target cryptocurrency-related, banking, social networking/media, and dating accounts.

The fake apps themselves are primarily distributed through the Hack Boss Telegram channel; however, they have been observed being spread through a variety of blogs, forums, and YouTube channels.

What is QuicklookPI?

QuicklookPI is a rogue application classified as adware. This app has been observed being distributed alongside other adware and browser hijackers, notably, SearchUp. Adware operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., delivering various ads.

Browser hijackers promote (by causing redirects to) fake search engines through modifications to browser settings. Additionally, software within these classifications typically has data tracking abilities, which are employed to spy on users' browsing habits.

Since most users download/install QuicklookPI unintentionally, it is also categorized as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

What is the CHEATER ransomware?

CHEATER is a ransomware-type program. Systems infected with this malware have the data stored on them encrypted; hence, victims are unable to use their files. Afterwards, ransom notes are created, which demand payment for the decryption - access recovery to the data.

During the encryption process, affected files are appended with the ".crypto" extension. For example, a file originally named something like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.crypto", "2.jpg" as "2.jpg.crypto", "3.jpg" as "3.jpg.crypto", and so on.

Once this process is complete, a ransom-demanding message is displayed in a pop-up window.

What is the "KIO KOREA" scam email?

"KIO KOREA Email Virus" refers to a malware-spreading spam campaign - a mass-scale operation during which deceptive emails are sent by the thousand. The scam letters sent through this campaign - request recipients to provide a product quote in accordance with the provided order list.

It must be emphasized that all of the information provided by these emails - is false. The campaign's aim is to distribute an infectious file attachment, which upon opening - initiates download/installation of the Agent Tesla RAT (Remote Access Trojan).

This malware is designed to enable remote access and control over an infected device. RATs can have a variety of heinous functionalities, and they can be used to cause various severe problems.

What is up-load[.]io?

Up-load[.]io is a file hosting website offering users unlimited download and upload speed, 50 GB free storage, and share their uploads via direct links. Also, this page offers to receive payment depending on the sold files.

It is noteworthy that up-load[.]io uses rogue advertising networks - it has shady ads displayed on it and opens questionable websites. It is advisable against trusting pages that use rogue advertising networks or allowing them to show notifications (up-load[.]io asks for such a permission).

What is "Chance To Win The New iPad Pro"?

It is common that scammers use phishing websites to trick users into providing sensitive information. Although, it is uncommon for such pages to be visited by users intentionally.

In most cases, phishing pages get opened after clicking on shady advertisements, through other dubious pages, or by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Most scammers use these pages to trick unsuspecting users into providing login credentials (e.g., usernames, email addresses, passwords), bank account numbers, credit card details, social security numbers, or some other sensitive, personal information.