Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Windows Defender Security Center?

"Windows Defender Security Center" is a fake error message displayed by various websites. Users visit often these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or intrusive advertisements delivered by other rogue sites.

Research shows that many PUPs infiltrate systems without users’ permission. As well as causing redirects, they deliver intrusive advertisements, record user-system information, and run unwanted background processes.

What is hecktasit.club?

hecktasit.club is the address of a fake search engine and a website that, if accessed directly, opens nicetab.live, which is a download page of the NiceTab StartPage browser hijacker. Typically, fake search engines are promoted through rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser settings.

Therefore, people usually do not often use fake search engines intentionally. Furthermore, most collect information relating to users' browsing habits.

What is NiceTab StartPage?

NiceTab StartPage is a browser hijacker, which is endorsed as a tool for customization of the browser homepage interface. These advertised features include various widgets (e.g. local time, current weather and forecasts, etc.), homepage wallpaper selection and so on.

In fact, NiceTab StartPage modifies browser settings to promote nicetab.live, a fake search engine. Furthermore, most software classified as browser hijackers records browsing-related information. Due to the dubious proliferation methods used to promote NiceTab StartPage, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

What is takeprize?

Takeprize is a family of untrusted, deceptive websites and a domain that, if visited, displays various lottery scams. At the time of research, takeprize loaded web pages that encouraged visitors to download an installer that distributes potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) including browser hijackers, adware-type apps.

These installers are used to trick people into installing malicious programs such as Trojans, ransomware, and other malware. In any case, no web pages that are part of the takeprize group can be trusted. They are opened through deceptive advertisements, other untrusted websites or PUAs that are installed on browsers or operating systems.

What is PSAFE?

Discovered by dnwls0719, PSAFE is malicious software belonging to the Matrix ransomware family. It is designed to encrypt the data of infected systems and demand ransom payments for decryption. During the encryption process, all affected files are renamed according to the following pattern: "[SafeGman@protonmail.com].[random_string]-[random-string].PSAFE".

For example, a file such as "1.jpg" would appear as something similar to "[SafeGman@protonmail.com].6GyvnBEa-UdjWfxv3.PSAFE" following encryption.

Additionally, this ransomware drops random files onto the victim's desktop. Furthermore, the ransom message in the form of an RTF (Rich Text Format) file ("#PSAFE_README#.rtf") is created in each compromised folder.

What is Find A Flight Pro?

The Find A Flight Pro app is designed to provide quick access to flight information, however, it is actually classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker. Apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing various browser settings.

Find A Flight Pro promotes search.hfindaflightpro.com in this manner. Furthermore, most browser hijackers record browsing data and, sometimes, other details. In most cases, people download and install software of this type inadvertently. This particular app is distributed and installed together with another PUA called Encrypted Search.

What is ENCRYPTED_RSA?

ENCRYPTED_RSA is a malicious program belonging to the CryptoLocker ransomware family. It operates by encrypting the data of infected systems and demanding payment for decryption tools/software. Additionally, it attempts to delete volume shadow copies.

Volume Shadow Copy is a Windows service that creates backups (or snapshots) of computer files or 'volumes'. During the encryption process, ENCRYPTED_RSA ransomware appends all affected files with the ".ENCRYPTED_RSA" extension. For example, a file such as "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jpg.ENCRYPTED_RSA" following encryption.

After this process is complete, a text file ("Fix_ReadMe.txt") is dropped into each compromised folder and a pop-up window is displayed.

What is DesuCrypt?

DesuCrypt (also known as Insane) was discovered by S!Ri. This is a malicious program categorized as ransomware. Unlike most programs of this type, however, DesuCrypt does not encrypt any files - it damages them (rendering them unusable) and changes filenames by appending the ".desucrypt" extension.

For example, it renames a file called "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.desucrypt", and so on. DesuCrypt does not create any ransom message and simply changes the desktop wallpaper.

What is Top APP?

Top APP is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker. Typically, apps of this type promote the addresses of fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.

Research shows that this PUA does not in fact change the settings, however, it detects when users search (by entering search queries) and then opens the address of a fake search engine (searchnewworld.com). Most browser hijackers promote fake search engines, but also gather browsing data.

Note that people do not generally download or install apps of this type intentionally.

What is Quick Converter?

Quick Converter is a browser hijacker, which operates by modifying browser settings to promote a fake search engine (feed.quick-converter.com). Additionally, it has data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity and gather sensitive information inferred from it.

Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate Quick Converter (most users install it inadvertently), it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).