Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is startme.today?

Identical startme.online and launchpage.org, startme.today is a fake Internet search engine that falsely claims to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and by providing quick access to popular websites (YouTube, Facebook, eBay, Instagram, etc.).

On initial inspection, startme.today may seem legitimate and useful, however, criminals promote it using deceptive downloaders/installers that hijack browser options without permission. In addition, startme.today continually records various information relating to web browsing activity.

What is MacBright?

MacBright is a rogue application that infiltrates systems during installation of other software (the 'bundling' distribution method). Following infiltration, MacBright delivers various intrusive online advertisements and continually tracks information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, MacBright is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

What is Lukitus?

Lukitus is an updated variant of a ransomware-type virus called Locky. Developers spread Lukitus via spam emails (malicious attachments). Once infiltrated, Lukitus encrypts stored data using RSA-2048 and AES-128 encryption algorithms. During encryption the virus renames encrypted files using the "[32_random_letters_and_digits].lukitus" pattern.

For instance, "sample.jpg" might be renamed to a filename such as "GPZ9AETR3-BIEU-8HAJ-36AD5B2D-3192B7EB5821.lukitus". Following successful encryption, Lukitus changes the desktop background and creates an HTML file ("lukitus.htm"), placing it on the desktop wallpaper.

What is videoconverter.freedownload-now.com?

Download VideoConverter is a deceptive application that supposedly allows conversion of various video formats. Initially, Download VideoConverter may appear legitimate and useful, however, this app is classed as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) modification of web browser options; 2) tracking of browsing activity, and; 3) stealth installation without consent.

What is Internet Security Damaged?

Internet Security Damaged is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website and identical to You Have a ZEUS virus and You Have A ALUREON Virus. 

Users are redirected to the Internet Security Damaged website by rogue adware-type applications that infiltrate the system during installation of various (usually free) software. As well as causing redirects, adware-type apps deliver intrusive online advertisements and track web browsing activity.

What is ApolloLocker?

Discovered by MalwareHunterTeam, ApolloLocker is a ransomware-type virus that stealthily infiltrates systems and encrypts stored data.

In doing so, ApolloLocker appends filenames with the ".locked" extension (for example, "sample.jpg" is renamed to "sample.jpg.locked"). Following successful encryption, ApolloLocker creates two files ("DOSYALARI-KURTAR [number].txt" and "DOSYALARI-KURTAR [number].url", [number] = 0,1,2), placing them on the desktop.

What is DilmaLocker?

DilmaLocker is ransomware-type malware discovered by xXToffeeXx. Following successful infiltration, DilmaLocker encrypts files using AES-256 cryptography. During encryption, this malware appends filenames with the ".__dilmaV1" extension. For example, "sample.jpg" is renamed to "sample.jpg.__dilmaV1".

After successfully encrypting files, DilmaLocker creates three additional files ("RECUPERE_SEUS_ARQUIVOS.html", "background.bmp " and "dilminha.dat"), placing them on the desktop. It then opens a pop-up window and sets the .bmp file as the desktop wallpaper.

What is startme.online?

Identical to launchpage.org, startme.online is a fake Internet search engine that falsely claims to generate improved results, thereby enhancing the browsing experience.

These claims often trick users into believing that startme.online is legitimate and useful, however, this website is promoted using rogue download and installation set-ups that hijack web browsers and stealthily modify various options. In addition, startme.online continually gathers various information relating to users' browsing activity.

What is History Cleaner?

Identical to NoterSave, Search In Tabs, Always Weather, and many others, History Cleaner is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to delete their Internet browsing history.

Initially, History Cleaner may appear legitimate and useful, however, it is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. Be aware that this PUP often infiltrates systems without permission. Furthermore, it continually gathers various user-system information and delivers intrusive online advertisements.

What is ShoppyTool?

ShoppyTool is a dubious app identical to SmartShoppy, ShopTool, WebShoppers, and several other programs. All claim to save time and money while shopping online. Promises to provide coupons and notifications of special deals/discounts available on a variety of online stores often trick users into believing that ShoppyTool is a legitimate program.

In fact, this program is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

One of the main reason for these negative associations is stealth installation - ShoppyTool is distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and, thus, it often infiltrates systems without users' consent. Furthermore, ShoppyTool gathers various user/system information and delivers a variety of intrusive advertisements.