Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is vpnservice[.]me?

Usually, the main purpose of websites like vpnservice[.]me is to trick their visitors into downloading and installing some potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Most of them use scare tactics to promote PUAs, for example, they display fake virus or error messages claiming that visitors need to remove viruses, fix errors or solve other issues as soon as possible. Otherwise, a device will be damaged even more.

It is important to mention that it is very uncommon for pages like vpnservice[.]me to be visited by users on purpose. Most popular ways to promote such pages are through other shady websites, deceptive advertisements, or PUAs.

What is Zwbowhtlni ransomware?

Zwbowhtlni is a piece of malicious software classified as ransomware. Systems infected with this malware experience data encryption and receive ransom demands for the decryption.

In other words, files affected by Zwbowhtlni are rendered inaccessible and renamed; to recover access to their data - victims are asked to pay. During the encryption process, files are appended with the ".zwbowhtlni" extension.

For example, a file originally titled something like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.zwbowhtlni", "2.jpg" as "2.jpg.zwbowhtlni", "3.jpg" as "3.jpg.zwbowhtlni", etc. After this process is complete, ransom notes - "HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT" - are created and dropped into compromised folders.

Zwbowhtlni malicious program belongs to the Snatch ransomware group.

What is the tackis[.]xyz site?

Tackis[.]xyz is an untrustworthy website designed to run various scams. At the time of research, this page promoted a scheme claiming that visitors' iPhones have been infected and damaged by viruses. While the scam primarily targets iPhone users, the webpage might be accessed via other Apple devices as well.

It must be emphasized that no site can detect threats or issues present on their visitors' systems; hence, any that make such claims are scams.

Schemes of this type aim to push users into downloading/installing and/or purchasing dubious software, e.g., fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

It is noteworthy that these scams may also proliferate malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, etc.). The tackis[.]xyz website has been observed being promoted via deceptive Calendar events.

Users seldom enter harmful sites intentionally; most access them via mistyped URLs, or redirects caused by intrusive advertisements or installed PUAs.

What is PublicConsoleSearch?

Adware is a type of software that displays advertisements and sometimes changes browser settings. Research shows that PublicConsoleSearch does both. Therefore, this app is categorized as adware and a browser hijacker.

It noteworthy that apps of this type often are designed to collect information about their users as well. This particular app is distributed by disguising its installer as the installer for Adobe Flash Player (via fake installer).

Most users download and install apps that are distributed using deceptive methods unknowingly, accidentally. For this reason, PublicConsoleSearch and other apps of this kind are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

What is wsoyourwi[.]fun?

It is strongly advisable not to visit (trust) the wsoyourwi[.]fun website, or pages that it is used to promote. As a rule, pages like wsoyourwi[.]fun are promoted through deceptive advertisements, other untrustworthy websites, and (or) potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

In other words, is not common for pages like wsoyourwi[.]fun to be visited by users on purpose. Users who have a PUA installed on their web browsers or computers should remove them as soon as possible - quite often, apps of this kind are designed to gather various data, generate unwanted advertisements.

It is noteworthy that there are may pages like wsoyourwi[.]fun on the web, some examples are ourbestnews[.]com, essingto[.]online, mycoolnewz[.]com.

What is the Make changes browser hijacker?

Make changes is the name of a browser hijacker promoting the fxsmash.xyz fake search engine. It is endorsed as a tool for improving website legibility by changing text and background colors. This piece of rogue software operates by modifying browser settings - to promote its web searcher.

Additionally, Make changes has data tracking abilities, which are employed to collect browsing-related information. Due to the questionable techniques used to distribute browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

What is Apple ID email scam?

As a rule, cybercriminals (scammers) behind phishing emails impersonate legitimate companies, organizations or other entities with the purpose to trick unsuspecting people into providing sensitive information.

Most of them target credit card details, and login credentials (e.g., usernames, email addresses, passwords) for various personal accounts. It is common that phishing emails contain a link designed to open a deceptive website where visitors are asked to enter personal information.

This phishing email is used to trick recipients into providing some of their Apple ID account information and banking-related details.

What is the security-info[.]space site?

Security-info[.]space is a deceptive website running various scams. At the time of research, this page promoted a scheme targeting iPhone users (however, it may be accessed via other Apple devices as well). This scam claims that malware has been detected on visitors' mobile phones - by "Apple Security".

It must be emphasized that this site is in no way associated with the genuine Apple Inc. Furthermore, no website can detect threats or issues present on their visitors' systems; hence, any that make such claims are scams.

This kind of scheme aims to trick users into downloading/installing and/or purchasing untrustworthy products. Typically, they endorse fake anti-virus tools, adware, browser hijackers, and other PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

These scams have also been observed proliferating malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, etc.). Users seldom access scam webpages intentionally; most enter them via mistyped URLs, or redirects caused by intrusive adverts or installed PUAs.

What is landingsecure[.]com?

Landingsecure[.]com is a deceptive website used to scare its visitors into downloading and installing a certain potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Usually, websites like landingsecure[.]com display fake virus or error notifications, messages encouraging visitors to solve the problem (remove fake viruses, fix fake errors) with the offered application as soon as possible.

It is important to mention that users do not visit pages like landingsecure[.]com intentionally. Most of them are promoted through shady advertisements, other untrustworthy websites, and (or) potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

What is IncognitoSearchly?

IncognitoSearchly is a piece of rogue software categorized as a browser hijacker. It operates by promoting the incognitosearchly.com fake search engine by making changes to browser settings.

Additionally, most browser hijackers spy on users' browsing activity; hence, it is highly likely that IncognitoSearchly has such data tracking abilities as well. Due to the dubious methods used to distribute browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).