Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is "Mac System currently outdated and corrupted"?

"Mac System currently outdated and corrupted" is a notification on a deceptive scam site, which is used to trick people into installing a dubious app called My Mac Speedup. Visitors supposedly use this app to fix an 'issue' that was detected by this scam site.

We strongly advise that you do NOT trust websites of this type or apps that they promote. If the browser opens these web pages regularly, it is likely that a potentially unwanted application (PUA) is installed on the system and is responsible.

What is Pirrit?

Pirrit is the name of an adware family comprising a number of adware-type apps. Typically, apps of this type display intrusive, annoying (and often deceptive) advertisements. In some cases, adware can also be used to gather data. You are advised against having any adware installed on your computer or browser.

What is "apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz"?

Apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz is a scam website, created for the promotion of the Cleanup My Mac application. This site functions by alerting users of fake threats it has detected. However, it should be emphasized that any viruses it finds are imaginary. It is strongly advised to never trust such sites, and refrain from download/installing suggested software.

It is also noteworthy, that any apps such webpages offer are likely to be fraudulent and therefore nonoperational. Most visitors to apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz, happen upon it accidentally. It is mostly accessed through rogue redirects caused by PUAs (potentially unwanted applications) already present on users' Mac operating systems.

What is Package Tracking App?

Package Tracking App is a rogue application, advertised as a package tracker and a web searching tool. It is supposedly capable of providing details on ordered packages (tracking their route and similar). In all actuality, Package Tracking App is both a browser hijacker and a PUA (potentially unwanted application).

As the former, it changes browser settings, promotes its fake search engine (search.packagetrackingapptab.com) and monitors users' browsing activity. Its classification as the latter depends on the fact that most users download/install it unwillingly.

What is myhelpfuldownloads[.]com?

myhelpfuldownloads[.]com is a dubious website used to promote software called Scanguard and other dubious applications. Users do not generally visit pages such as myhelpfuldownloads[.]com intentionally. If a browser opens myhelpfuldownloads[.]com, this is due to an adware-type application present on the system.

Adware is software that displays various unwanted, often deceptive, ads. Adware-type apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since most people download and install them unintentionally.

What is Guarded?

Guarded is a ransomware-type program, which is similar to Sguard. Typically, programs of this type encrypt files so that victims cannot access them without specific tools that can be purchased only from the cyber criminals who developed the ransomware. Guarded renames encrypted files by adding a new extension: ".Guarded".

For example, "1.jpg" becomes "1.jpg.Guarded". It also creates a ransom message in the "GUARDED-README.txt" text file, which contains instructions about how to purchase the decryption tool.

What is Chistilka?

Chistilka (Чистилка) is a piece of software requiring no installation and endorsed as a system cleaner. It is supposedly capable of removing undesirable advertisements (pop-ups and similar), as well as boosting the speed of the Windows OS (operating system).

It is promoted through its official website and can be inadvertently downloaded as a supplement to other software. This mode of proliferation, through the download/install setups of ordinary programs is called "bundling".

Said deceptive marketing method is prominent amongst PUA (potentially unwanted application) developers, who are well aware of user tendency to rush through aforementioned setups - thereby unwillingly exposing their devices to various invasions. Due to its stealthy infiltration, Chistilka is classified as a PUA.

What is NextPharma?

NextPharma ransomware was discovered by Raby and designed to lock files by encrypting them with a cryptographic algorithm. Therefore, people with computers infected by NextPharma cannot access their files unless they purchase specific software (decryption tool).

This malicious program renames all encrypted files by adding the ".n3xtpharma" extension to the filenames. For example, "sample.jpg" becomes "sample.jpg.n3xtpharma". The number of ransom messages (.txt) files is equivalent to the number of encrypted files.

Each ransom message is named after the associated encrypted file. For example, "sample.jpg.n3xtpharma_readme". NextPharma stores these ransom messages in folders that contain encrypted files.

What is Auto PC Cleaner 2019?

Auto PC Cleaner 2019 is a piece of software, allegedly capable of optimizing and speeding up systems. It is also advertised as able to remove various systems threats and making various enhancements. This application is often distributed as an addition within download/installation setups of other programs, in other words - it is "bundled".

Deceptive marketing tactics, such as "bundling", are designed to proliferate undesirable and often illegitimate content. Due to most users installing Auto PC Cleaner 2019 inadvertently it is classified as a PUA (potentially unwanted application). Furthermore, this app is employed as promotional grounds for another PUA - Driver Updater.

What is Apex Legends?

The Aurora Cheat tool is presented as an "injector" for the Apex Legends video game. It supposedly allows users to enable features such as player movement prediction, distance control, aimbot, and so on. In fact, it infects computers with a Remote Access Trojan (RAT).