Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is bigkick[.]biz?

Typically, users do not visit websites such as bigkick[.]biz intentionally - they are opened when people click deceptive ads, visit dubious websites, or when they have potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) installed on browsers. Some examples of other pages similar to bigkick[.]biz are rchesasider[.]top, pectionexa[.]top and bestapps2020[.]com.

What is SmartPDFConverterSearch?

SmartPDFConverterSearch promotes a fake search engine (smartpdfconvertersearch.com) by making changes to certain browser settings. It also collects information relating to users' browsing activities. Note that browser hijackers are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since users often download and install them inadvertently.

What is MySearchConverter?

MySearchConverter is dubious software classified as a browser hijacker. It operates by making alterations to browser settings to promote mysearchconverter.com (a fake search engine). Additionally, this browser hijacker monitors browsing activity. Since most users install MySearchConverter, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is AppEnviroment?

AppEnviroment serves advertisements, modifies certain browser settings (changes them to the address of a fake search engine) and collects private, sensitive information. In this way, the app functions as adware, a browser hijacker, and data collector.

Frequently, users download and install apps of this type inadvertently and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular app is distributed via a deceptive installer, which is designed to appear as the installer for Adobe Flash Player.

What is WikiNow?

WikiNow is adware-type software endorsed as a tool for quick access to the Wikipedia online encyclopedia and Wiki information/content repositories. Following successful installation, WikiNow runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. I.e., it delivers various misleading and harmful ads.

Additionally, most adware-type programs collect browsing-related information. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this app, WikiNow is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is appleconnect.safellk[.]com?

appleconnect.safellk[.]com is one of many websites that attempt to deceive users into believing that theirs devices are infected with viruses and into installing an application that will supposedly remove them.

Typically, websites of this kind are promoted via deceptive ads, other untrusted pages, and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). I.e., users do not often visit pages such as appleconnect.safellk[.]com intentionally.

What is the "Account Access Disabled" email?

"Account Access Disabled" refers to a spam email campaign. The term "spam campaign" is used to describe a mass-scale operation, during which thousands of scam emails are distributed.

The deceptive messages sent through this campaign state that access to recipients' email accounts has supposedly been disabled and, to recover, the verification process must be followed. Should users attempt to access their accounts via the button in these emails, they are redirected to a phishing website designed to collect entered data (e.g. log-in credentials).

What is Wise Mac Care?

Wise Mac Care is advertised as a tool that helps users to keep their Mac computers clean and healthy. Users can download this application through various channels, however, this app is distributed via a deceptive installer, which appears similar to an installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Applications that are distributed in this way should not be trusted. Commonly, people download and install them inadvertently and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs)

What is WebAdviseSearch?

WebAdviseSearch is an adware-type application, which has features of a browser hijacker: it serves ads and changes certain browser settings to promote the address of a fake search engine. It is likely that it will also collect browsing data and other details.

Users often download and install WebAdviseSearch and similar apps inadvertently and, for this reason, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This app is distributed via a fake installer, which is supposedly an installer for Adobe Flash Player.

What is YAYA ransomware?

YAYA is a malicious program and part of the GlobeImposter ransomware family. Systems infected with this ransomware experience data encryption (stored files are locked and renamed) and ransom demands are made for decryption. During the encryption process, all affected files are appended with the ".YAYA" extension.

For example, a file originally named something like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.YAYA" following encryption. After this process is complete, ransom-demand messages in "how_to_back_files.html" files are dropped into compromised folders.