Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What kind of page is defender-scanning[.]xyz?

Defender-scanning[.]xyz displays deceptive content and asks for permission to show notifications. It shares these qualities with newschecktoday[.]com, push-defenders[.]com, profitsurvey24[.]com, and plenty of other websites. It is very uncommon for these pages to be visited intentionally.

What kind of program is VLOPlayer?

VLOPlayer seems like a legitimate media player that looks similar to the VLC player. However, it is distributed with a browser hijacker (named Search By VLO) designed to promote vlosearch.com (a fake search engine). Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing the browser's settings.

What is Unlock ransomware?

Unlock is a malicious program categorized as ransomware. It is designed to encrypt data (render files unusable) and demand ransoms for the decryption.

Encrypted files are appended with a unique ID assigned to the victim and the ".unlock" extension. For example, a file initially named "1.jpg" would look similar to "1.jpg.[ID-9ECFA84E].unlock". Once this process is completed, a ransom note - "UNLOCK_FILES_INFO.txt" - is dropped onto the desktop.

What is newschecktoday[.]com?

Newschecktoday[.]com is a rogue website that displays dubious content, pushes its browser notifications, and/or redirects visitors to other (likely unreliable and malicious) sites. The Internet is rife with such pages; hukelpfulin.xyz, earnmoneycrypt.com, and businesspayments.org are just some examples.

Visitors to newschecktoday[.]com and similar websites typically access them via redirects caused by other suspect webpages, intrusive ads, or installed PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

What is WinCrypto ransomware?

WinCrypto is a piece of malicious software classified as ransomware. It encrypts data (renders files inaccessible) and demands payment for the decryption.

Affected files are appended with the ".wincrypto" extension. For example, a file like "1.jpg" would appear as "1.jgp.wincrypto", "2.jpg" as "2.jpg.wincrypto", etc. Afterwards, identical ransom notes are created/displayed in a pop-up window and "README WINCRYPTO.txt" text file.

What kind of malware is RSFDD?

RSFDD is ransomware that blocks access to files (encrypts files), modifies their filenames, and creates a ransom note (the "ReadMe.txt" file). RSFDD appends the victim's ID, john.karick@mailfence.com email address, and ".RSFDD" extension to filenames.

For example, it renames "1.jpg" to "1.jpg-Id33EFD139 -mail John.Karick@mailfence.com.RSFDD", "sample.jpg" to "sample.jpg-Id33EFD139 -mail John.Karick@mailfence.com.RSFDD", and so on.

What is "Firewall Error: #ST43400X"?

"Firewall Error: #ST43400X" is a technical support scam targeting Japanese-speaking users. This scheme claims that access to the device has been restricted due to detected threats. It must be emphasized that this error is fake and in no way associated with the Microsoft Corporation.

Scam-promoted sites are typically accessed via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by other rogue webpages, intrusive ads, or installed PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

What is Norton Security - Your PC is infected with 5 viruses! scam?

"Norton Security - Your PC is infected with 5 viruses!" is a deceptive virus notification displayed by a fake Norton (a legitimate anti-virus or anti-malware software product) website. Pages of this type are used to extract personal information, fraudulently promote legitimate or untrustworthy software.

What is Midas ransomware?

Midas is the rebranded version of Haron ransomware. It is designed to encrypt data (lock files) and demand ransoms for the decryption.

Malware of this type typically renames the encrypted files, since Midas ransomware primarily targets companies and other large entities - it appends filenames with an extension consisting of the company's name (e.g., "1.jpg" as "1.jpg.newwave").

After this process is finished, ransom-demanding messages are created/displayed in a pop-up window ("RESTORE_FILES_INFO.hta") and text file ("RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt"). The notes are identical.

What is Outer Banks email virus?

The purpose of this email is to trick recipients into infecting their computers with a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) called AgentTesla. It has an archive file attached to it. That archive file contains an executable file designed to inject AgentTesla.