Remove Iossecure.com from Mac OS X

Simple steps to delete Iossecure.com

Iossecure.com is described as misleading website that promotes VPN PROtrack Complete protect application. Typically, such sites claims that the operating system is infected with various type of viruses or visitor’s online activity could be controlled by other parties and offers to solve the problem using the aforementioned apps. In one way or another, this type of sites should not be trusted as they get opened via other dubious pages, untrustworthy advertisements or by installed potentially unwanted applications.

Additionally, Iossecure.com websites has two variants, one variant is designed to trick user into believing that OS is damaged by 6 viruses and installing VPN PROtrack. Also, it encourages them to remove such viruses as early as possible otherwise Apple ID will be blocked and all data stored on iCloud will be deleted. Other variant is designed in such a way into believing that someone may be monitoring their online activity and hide their IP address with the same application.

On the other hand, PUAs is designed not only to promote websites like Iossecure.com but also gather information and deliver advertisements. It is common that it can gather details like IP addresses, pages viewed, entered search queries and so on. Moreover, gathered details are shared with third parties who misuse the data in order to generate revenue. Thus, presence of PUAs can cause serious privacy issues and hence such pages should be ignored.

Distribution methods:

Typically, people cause download and installation of unwanted apps when they click on deceptive ads or when they use third party download sources for any programs and files download. In order to trick them, developers hide the information about the additional downloads/installations in settings like custom/advanced. Users download or install software without checking and changing these settings and often lead the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. Due to this, users need to be very cautious while downloading and installing any programs as well as surfing online.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

It is advised not to use untrustworthy sources for downloading and installing any software. All downloads should only be done using official pages and through direct links. During installation, pay close attention and select custom or advanced option of downloading and installation processes. Advertisements that appear on questionable pages should not be clicked as they redirect you to other harmful sites or cause unwanted downloads or installations. If your PC is infected with PUAs, we recommend our user to use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to eliminate them automatically.

Quick Glance

Name: Iossecure.com

Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Fake claims: iOS is infected with viruses, online activities may be monitored by someone else.   

Short Description: A questionable website that interrupts browsing sessions to generate pop-ups with deceptive messages.

Symptoms: Regular browsing is frequently interrupted by unexpected redirects to Iossecure.com and other shady sites. The affected browser may start to perform slower due to an increased number of online ads that appear on almost all websites you visit.

Distribution Method: Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, free file hosting sites, p2p sharing networks such as eMule and so on.

Damage: loss of sensitive information, browsing safety and infiltration of additional malware infections.

Removal: To remove Iossecure.com use some reliable process that have been provided below.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Iossecure.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 Iossecure.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 Iossecure.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 Iossecure.com. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.