Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is Amazon Shopping Assistant?

Amazon Shopping Assistant is a deceptive application that infiltrates systems during installation of regular (typically free) software - developers proliferate it using the "bundling" method.

Immediately after infiltration, Amazon Shopping Assistant delivers intrusive advertisements and records information relating to browsing habits. For these reasons, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware.

What is Safe Cleaner for Mac?

Safe Cleaner for Mac is a dubious app that shares similarities with Mac Clean Pro, Secure Mac Tuneup, and many others. It claims to enhance system performance by optimization and removing infected viruses.

Safe Cleaner for Mac may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), since it often infiltrates systems without consent (developers proliferate Safe Cleaner for Mac using the "bundling" method).

What is xmrmsft.com/hive.html?

xmrmsft.com/hive.HTML is a deceptive website that mines cryptocurrency. Most visitors arrive at xmrmsft.com/hive.HTML unintentionally, since they are redirected by trojan-type viruses that infiltrate systems without their consent.

What is search.searchgmfs1.com?

Get Directions Quick is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to receive driving directions. On initial inspection, Get Directions Quick may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker.

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) installation without users' consent; 2) promotion of a fake search engine [search.searchgmfs1.com], and; 3) tracking of sensitive information.

What is Error DT00X2?

"Error DT00X2" is a fake error message similar to VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT, ERROR #AP7MQ79, This Build Of Windows 10 Is Corrupted, and many others.

The message is displayed by various deceptive websites that users often visit inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive advertisements delivered by other rogue sites.

Research shows that potentially unwanted applications infiltrate systems without permission and, as well as causing redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements and gather sensitive information.

What is Secure Mac Tuneup?

Similar to Advanced Mac Tuneup and many others, Secure Mac Tuneup is a dubious application presented as a high-end system optimization tool.

This application may seem legitimate and useful, however, since developers promote it using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", Secure Mac Tuneup often infiltrates systems without consent and is thus categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

What is Smart Application Controller?

Smart Application Controller is a rogue application that supposedly allows users to update other installed programs. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app typically infiltrates systems without permission. Furthermore, it delivers intrusive advertisements and gathers various information.

For these reasons, Smart Application Controller is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

What kind of malware is FOX?

Discovered by MalwareHunterTeam, FOX is a new variant of high-risk ransomware called Matrix. Developers proliferate this malware using Remote Desktop Service - they hijack victims' computers and install FOX manually.

Once infiltrated, FOX encrypts most stored data and renames files using the "[developer's_email].[random_characters].FOX" pattern (e.g., "sample.jpg" might be renamed to a filename such as "[PabFox@protonmail.com ].3qAbTbsd-RgfExin0.FOX"). Once encrypted, data becomes unusable and indistinguishable.

In addition, FOX performs a number of other malicious actions, including deletion of File Shadow Volume Copies and removal of Windows Recovery Startup. After performing these functions, FOX generates a text file ("#FOX_README#.rtf") and places a copy in every existing folder. Additionally, FOX ransomware changes victim's desktop wallpaper.

What is Xorist?

Xorist (EnCiPhErEd) is a family of ransomware-type malware. After stealth system infiltration, ransomware from this family encrypts various files stored on the computer and adds one of the following extensions to each encrypted file: ....VeraCrypt_System_Error2019-You_need_to_make_payment_in_maxmin_24_hours_if_you_dont_the_decryptor_license_will_be_deleted_this_is_not_a_joke, .NEED-TO-MAKE-PAYMENT-OR-ALL-YOUR-FILLES-WILL-BE-DELETED-CRITICAL-SITUATION-URGENT-ATTENTION-24-HOURS-TO-PAY-OR-EVERYTHING-WILL-BE-PERMANENTLY-DELETED-FOREVER, .mbrcodes, ...DATA_IS_SAFE_YOU_NEED_TO_MAKE_THE_PAYMENT_IN_MAXIM_24_HOURS_OR_ALL_YOUR_IMPORTANT_FILES_WILL_BE_LOST_FOREVER_PLEASE_BE_REZONABLE_IS_NOT_A_JOKE_TIME_IS_LIMITED, .PrOtOnIs, ...Files-Frozen-NEED-TO-MAKE-PAYMENT-FOR-DECRYPTOR-OR-ALL-YOUR-FILES-WILL-BE-PERMANENLTY-DELETE, .cryptedx, .CerBerSysLocked0009881, ....error77002017111, .Blocked2, .TaRoNiS, .Cerber_RansomWare@qq.com, .hello, .brb, .RusVon, .fast_decrypt_and_protect@tutanota.com, .xdata, .SaMsUnG, .zixer2, .antihacker2017, .error, .errorfiles, .@EnCrYpTeD2016@, .pa2384259, .encoderpass, .fileiscryptedhard, .6FKR8d, .EnCiPhErEd, .73i87A, .p5tkjw, .PoAr2w, .xwz, .ava or .DECRYPT-ID-[victim's_ID].

After encrypting the files, this ransomware creates a 'How to Decrypt Files.txt text file on the victim's desktop. The file contains a message stating that the files can only be restored by paying a ransom.

The victim is then encouraged to contact cyber criminals by SMS and using a phone number provided. It is stated that victims have a limited number of attempts to send an SMS message with the specified text. This number diminishes each time the victim sends an SMS with text that does not conform to a pattern provided within the 'How to Decrypt Files.txt' file.

What is Advanced Mac Tuneup?

Advanced Mac Tuneup is a dubious application that claims to enhance system performance by optimizing and removing all threats/malware.

Initially, Advanced Mac Tuneup may seem legitimate, however, developers promote this app using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", and thus it often infiltrates systems without permission. Therefore, Advanced Mac Tuneup is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).