Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is AppLovin?

AppLovin is an adware-type application disguised as TikTok, a legitimate video-sharing social networking application. Research shows that cyber criminals behind this fake app target Jio users in India who use Android smartphones. Note that the TikTok app is banned in this country. After installation, AppLovin starts to serve advertisements.

What is gsecurecontent[.]com?

gsecurecontent[.]com is a rogue website designed to redirect visitors to other untrusted/malicious web pages and/or present them with dubious content. This site is typically promoted by adware-type Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) already infiltrated into the system.

As well as redirects caused by PUAs, users are redirected to gsecurecontent[.]com and similar web pages by intrusive advertisements.

What is TheConverterSearch?

TheConverterSearch is a browser hijacker. Following successful infiltration, it operates by making changes to browser settings to promote theconvertersearch.com (a fake search engine). This browser hijacker also monitors users' browsing activity and collects sensitive information extracted from it.

Furthermore, due to the dubious methods used to proliferate TheConverterSearch, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is Cndqmi?

Cndqmi is a part of the Snatch ransomware family. Typically, malware of this type encrypts victim's files, renames them and creates and/or displays a ransom message. Cndqmi renames encrypted files by appending the ".cndqmi" extension. For example, it would change "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.cndqmi", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.cndqmi", and so on.

Cndqmi creates the "HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT" text file (ransom message) in all folders containing encrypted files.

What is ExpertRAT?

ExpertRAT is malware which functions as a Remote Administration/Access Trojan (RAT). It allows cyber criminals to control infected machines (computers) remotely. Research shows that cyber criminals behind ExpertRAT target users living in Italy. This RAT was discovered by reecDeep.

If there is any reason to suspect that a computer is infected with ExpertRAT, this malware should be uninstalled from it immediately.

What is Jdokao ransomware?

Jdokao is a malicious program, which is part of the Snatch ransomware family. It operates by encrypting the data stored on infected systems and making ransom demands for decryption. During the encryption process, files are appended with the ".jdokao" extension.

For example, a file originally named something like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.jdokao" following encryption. Once this process is complete, ransom notes within "HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT" files are dropped into compromised folders.

What is myflixer[.]to?

Myflixer[.]to is an untrusted website offering an illegal movie-streaming and download service. It also uses rogue advertising networks, containing ads designed to promote various dubious websites. Therefore, myflixer[.]to should never be trusted or used.

What is vpnbestapp[.]com?

vpnbestapp[.]com is a deceptive website running scams primarily targeting iPhone users. There are two scam variants promoted on this site. One version claims that the user's mobile device has been infected and requires legitimate virus protection tools to be installed onto it.

The other version states that the device needs VPN software, as it may be vulnerable. Note that all of the information provided by vpnbestapp[.]com is false and cannot be trusted. Schemes of this type promote dubious applications such as fake anti-virus tools, adware, browser hijackers and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).

These scams also promote Trojans, ransomware and other malware. Few visitors to vpnbestapp[.]com or similar web pages enter them intentionally - most access these sites through mistyped URLs, redirects caused by intrusive advertisements or by PUAs.

What is Smaug ransomware?

Smaug ransomware is available for download on the dark web: it is for sale as Ransomware as a Service (RaaS). Therefore, cyber criminals who purchase it can perform ransomware attacks without having to develop malware of this type. Smaug is designed to encrypt files, rename them and create a ransom message.

It renames files by appending a string of random characters to filenames as an extension. For example, it would rename a file called "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.11bdd939-1d45-421c-9be0-0addcdc8181c", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.11bdd939-1d45-421c-9be0-0addcdc8181c", and so on.

Instructions about how to contact the developers and purchase a decryption key are provided in the "HACKED.txt" text file (ransom message).

What is TopMusicSearches?

TopMusicSearches is dubious software categorized as a browser hijacker. It operates by making alterations to browser settings to promote topmusicsearches.com (a fake search engine). Additionally, most browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are used to monitor browsing activity.

Since most users install TopMusicSearches unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).