How to remove s3.amazonaws.com adware (Mac)

 s3.amazonaws.com pushes unwanted app by fake outdated software claim

s3.amazonaws.com is a rogue website that shows a pop-up message that states that the system has an allegedly need of Flash Player or different Adobe product updates. However, this is designed to trick people into installing potentially unwanted application. Don’t confuse with name of the website which is similar to the Amazon AWS, a legit cloud storage web service. Here, malicious actors misuse the name for shady purpose.

People who encounter s3.amazonaws.com redirect can get exposed to some intrusive ads, unwanted pages, and websites containing malicious scripts or trigger malware download. The suspicious delivers a pop-up prepared to download/ install certain rogue products, all that need is to click from the users to provided OK button. This could end up other PUAs (in addition to the one that is the reason behind s3.amazonaws.com redirect), Trojan, Ransomware or other malware.

 Here is the full text presented on s3.amazonaws.com scam pop-up page:

The Latest Version of Flash Player is Ready to Install.

Click ok to Download.

Your Flash Player is ready to install

Run all your video, audio and games online

Update the latest version for optimal performance

Install

The s3.amazonaws.com virus is dubbed as adware as it delivers various misleading pop-ups. It is called potentially unwanted app because of shady technique of distributed used. People who encounter this site redirect said they started seeing https://s3.amazonaws.com/addns/CH3088/CvCHff.html address on the default new tab page option of the browsers they were using. Some users stated that the redirection goes to www.adfactorytech.com/resources/Re/Chnh/mov.php domain and then finally to random third party sites.

The s3.amazonaws.com ads appear with the status like waiting for s3.amazonaws.com, transferring data from s3.amazonaws.com, connected to s3.amazonaws.com, looking up s3.amazonaws.com and so on. These ads appear ordinary. Most of the promoted items match with browsing history and so people see attractive deals and offers of the products what they are looking for. This is all possible because these ads are associated with the adware application that bears the potential to track users’ browsing activities.

Some of these ads might be very dangerous. According to cyber security researchers, crooks may find a way to exploit the users -readable and publicly writable servers for misleading purpose. Thus when you receive the pop-up and new tab ads never interact with them and try to remove s3.amazonaws.com virus- the main intruder. You can remove the adware in two ways – manually and automatically. This article provides you complete step-by-step guide for the both – check below the post.

PCs are distributed using software packages

Security experts warn users that adware, browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted applications are often distributed via software bundling. Freeware developers attach free add-ons, toolbars, plug-ins and extension for monetization purpose. While bundling is a legit way to offer additional program with regular software, the way freeware developers disclose them is questionable. Usually, the additional installers are hidden behind Quick/ Basic installation option. If users select this method, they unintentionally agree to the installation of all of them. As a result, the web browser gets hijacked and starts showing various unwanted activities. The only way to prevent this malware from installing is to be cautious when perform any software download/ installation:

• Use only official websites for any software download,
• Pay attention during download/ installation moment,
• Opt for Advanced/Custom option, read licensed terms, and remove checkmarks from additional components, and then finish the installation process,
• Employ some reputable antivirus tool for betterment.

Remove Files and Folders Related to s3.amazonaws.com

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove s3.amazonaws.com from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete s3.amazonaws.com add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to s3.amazonaws.com. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.