Are you getting alerts from Anti-Malware Lab? Don't be tricked, Anti-Malware Lab is a not a real security application. It is a kind of program known as a rogue anti-malware application. These kinds of programs pretend to be genuine anti-malware utilities to trick you into buying them. Specifically, Anti-Malware Lab's interface is designed to mimic the interface for a typical Windows Security scanner. Anti-Malware Lab takes over your computer, to make you think it has a malware infection. Then, it will prompt you to buy Anti-Malware Lab to get rid of the supposed infection. Don't fall for it; Anti-Malware Lab is nothing but a scam. How Anti-Malware Lab Enters Your Computer Surprisingly, it is often the victims themselves that download rogue anti-virus applications like Anti-Malware Lab. This kind of attack is known as social...

Zeus Keylogger is a malware program that is designed to steal a computer user's private information. A keylogger is a program that is used to record every key that is pressed on the infected computer's keyboard. Zeus Keylogger also has the capacity to take the recorded data and relay it to a third party. A hacker can take all of this information and isolate online passwords, credit card information, and online banking data. To protect your privacy, out team of PC security researchers recommends using an anti-malware program to identify and remove Zeus Keylogger. How Zeus Keylogger Steals Your Personal Information Zeus Keylogger is specifically engineered to target financial information. This nasty spy program contains an extensive list of financial institutions, online banks and online payment websites. Whenever Zeus Keylogger detects...

WebDiscover Browser is an adware threat developed by a Canada-based company named WebDiscover Media. Once installed on a PC, the app makes a series of unwanted changes to all browsers installed on the computer, leading to a deteriorating online surfing experience. WebDiscover replaces the default home pages and search engines of affected Internet browsers with its own WebDiscover Homepage and WebDiscover Search, respectively. Furthermore, the app modifies the “new tab” settings so that the corrupted browsers launch the program's own search portal page when the user opens a new tab. Chrome users may not even recognize WebDiscover as an unwanted program and think they are using the regular...

Getting an OS system error message while working on a project can be quite an unpleasant surprise. Whether relating to MS Windows, or Mac OS, such a bug is always bound to disrupt your normal computer work. While some errors tend to be system-specific, others can affect both Windows and Mac-based systems, albeit designating totally different problems. The so-called Code 43 error message, for example, is primarily associated with device driver problems in Windows PCs, on the one hand, and file transfer issues on Mac machines, on the other. If you are using Windows and looking for a way to fix this specific error, click here for a guide with possible solutions. If you are a Mac user,...

KMSpico is a software made to illegally activate Windows 10 and other Windows operating systems for free. This software is unsafe and has no connection to the Microsoft Corporation. Instances of KMSpico may open the way to further malware infections, installation of Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and more. There are many websites online that offer versions of KMSpico. Nearly all of them bundled with adware, malware and more. This may quickly put a computer at risk without the consent of the user. What does KMS stand for? KMS stands for Key Management Service, a technology used by Microsoft to activate services on a local network. This is done to remove the need for connecting each...

At first glance, the Newsbreak.com website appears to be a useful tool that would provide its visitors with the latest news. However, this is one of the countless bogus websites online that do not provide any content of value, and instead, seek to benefit from their visitors using various shady tricks. Spams Users with a Constant Flow of Advertisements Upon visiting the Newsbreak.com page, users will be asked to permit the site to display Web browser notifications. Keeping in mind that this fake page poses as a legitimate news website, many users may be tricked to allow browser notifications thinking that they will be alerted for the latest breaking news. However, this is not the case,...

The Segurazo application, a/k/a SAntivirus, presents itself as a helpful, genuine antivirus tool capable of bringing considerable benefits to those who give it a chance. However, in reality, Segurazo is far from helpful and is certainly not as trustworthy a tool as one would expect from an antivirus application. Instead of effective threat detection and real-time protection, SAntivirus will bombard you with dozens of falsely exaggerated security reports in a relentless effort to urge you to buy the premium version of this dodgy tool. Segurazo As a Drive-By Download In general, malware actors tend to distribute Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) by smuggling them into software bundles...

Over the course of the past few years, hackers and cybercrooks armed with sophisticated malware have stolen literally hundreds of millions of dollars from online banking accounts and individuals all over the world. We have said it many times before in recent articles, the days of robbing banks in person are gone and now it all takes place behind a screen of a computer connected to the Internet. The Internet can be the most useful tool in business, school or every-day life. At the same time, the Internet can make someone's life a living hell in the event that one becomes the next victim of a cybercrime. A large percentage of the world's population that uses computers over the Internet are aware of cybercrime and the consequences that they may face if they succumb to a cybercriminals' trap. Others who have no clue as to the dangers they...

The Random Music Playing Virus is a common name given to a variety of PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) and threats that cause annoying sounds and music to play on the affected computer. The Random Music Playing Virus will often activate because an advertisement is handling the background. It should be noted that, technically, the Random Music Playing Virus is not unsafe code. The Random Music Playing Virus may not actually be inserted into a file but is, rather, a symptom of a variety of other types of problems on affected computer systems. PC security researchers typically do not consider that the Random Music Playing Virus is a real virus, in the technical definition of the term....

Search Marquis is a browser component that may disguise itself as a helpful tool that will enhance the browsing quality of popular browsers like Chrome and Safari. In fact, it is a shady browser extension that aims to alter the browser's setting without the user’s knowledge and consent. The main purpose of this Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) is to sneak stealthily into Mac computers and generate revenue for its operators. This happens through a number of intermediate redirects through various dubious domains before displaying Bing.com results. This Week In Malware Episode 36 Part 2: Why Your Web Browser is Redirecting to Search Marquis & and How to Stop It! Once installed on a Mac...

A new mobile Trojan was caught being distributed through bait WhatsApp messages posted in group chats. The threat was named WhatsApp Pink because that is the bait used to trick users into clicking the distributed link - the hackers promise that users will be able to turn the usual green color scheme of the application into pink. They also allege that some unspecified new features also will be implemented. Additional legitimacy is added to the fraudulent messages by posing as an official update. However, downloading the WhatsApp Pink APK file that is at the end of the link found in the message, delivers a malware threat onto the user's mobile device. Analysis of the threat revealed that, at least for the moment, it is designed to target Android systems only, so iOS users are safe from being infected.  The hackers can use the WhatsApp...

Several ransomware families have already been observed to be using Discord webhooks for communication and exfiltrate data from compromised systems. However, the cybercriminals behind the Nitro Ransomware have taken it a step further, as instead of the usual ransom paid in one of the popular cryptocurrencies they demand from their victims a payment in Discord Nitro gift cards. Discord is one of the most popular social platforms among computer users. Starting as a VoIP (Voice over IP) service catered towards PC players, the application has since then expanded into a full-fledged platform that allows users to send messages, conduct audio and video calls, send files, and communicate through either private chats or communities called servers. On top of its free tier, Discord offers paid subscriptions for the 'Nitro' upgrade priced at $9.99....

AMCleaner, also known as Advanced Mac Cleaner, is a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that is being spread through a dedicated misleading page. The campaign is targeted towards Mac users mainly, as the bait Web page is designed to appear as an official Apple site. The fraudsters redirect unsuspecting users towards their website by taking advantage of common typo mistakes the users can make when inputting popular website names in a tactic known as typo-squatting. This method has been used on Windows systems since the early 2000s. The page for AMCleaner will then present its visitors with various fake claims about unspecified malware threats being detected on the device. Even a fake scan window displaying various threats being found will be displayed to further scare users into downloading the application.  Once installed on the system,...

DarkStealer is an extremely threatening malware that is being offered as a MaaS (Malware-as-a-Service) on underground hacker forums. Hackers can purchase the threat by paying a monthly subscription. Upon infiltrating the targeted computer, the DarkStealer Malware can perform a vast set of nefarious activities, as it has features belonging to an infostealer, file grabber and a RAT (Remote Access Trojan). One of the core functionalities of the threat is its ability to allow threat actors to execute arbitrary commands on the infected system. The hackers can manipulate the file system, drop additional corrupted payloads, and exfiltrate selected files. The DarkStealer Malware can extract sensitive information such as login credentials, cookies, browsing history and more from all popular Web browsers. The threat has a separate component that...

Although Mac systems are far less reliant on third-party drivers to operate, various issues can still occur with old and outdated drivers that often cause compatibility problems, especially. Users should, to the best of their ability, always install the most current driver version for the device or software they are using. At the same time, they should make sure that any older driver versions are removed from the system completely.  One way of locating installed drivers is to open Finder and type the name of the device in the search bar. If any results are returned, they are most likely drivers even though they may resemble applications.  In most cases, however, the driver files are too small to be recognized as an application. To navigate and remove them manually, users will have to access the ~/Library/ folder on their Macs. Open...

Moving from an old iPhone to a new one is easy; just sign in to your iCloud account, and all of your photos, images, contacts, notes and settings will be transferred. Doing so on Mac, however, is not that straightforward. Using iCloud on a Mac can help with syncing your music, games, photos, and other data coming from Apple services, but will leave out essential items such as documents and third-party applications. Fortunately, macOS comes with the Migration Assistant, a helpful tool designed to transfer data from one Mac computer to another.   First, to start the Migration Assistant, you can click on its icon from the Launchpad, search for it via Spotlight, or open it from the Utilities subfolder found inside the Applications folder. The Migration Assitant can be used to move data from an external disk, Time Machine backup,...

One potential problem that Mac users might encounter while upgrading to a newer macOS version, is the 'macOS could not be installed on your computer' error. This particular issue may be caused by several different reasons including your Mac failing to meet the minimum requirements of the new versions, not having enough space for the update to be installed, or a software/launch daemon interfering with the process. After trying the update process several times and always receiving the 'macOS could not be installed on your computer' error, the first thing to do is check for compatibility issues. The best method is to launch the App Store application, search for the macOS versions you are installing, and navigate to the 'Compatibility' section. Look for a message that states 'woks on this Mac.' Otherwise, your Mac is not among the...

A new cryptocurrency-collecting malware was detected by cybersecurity researchers. The threat was given the name HackBoss, after the Telegram channel that was used to propagate it. Although HackBoss is a relatively simple malware without any sophisticated functionalities, it has managed to achieve an impressive success rate collecting over $500,000 in cryptocurrencies for its creators. The main factor for the significant monetary gain is the hackers' decision to shift the target of the attack from normal computer users to wannabe cybercriminals instead.  A Crypto-Stealer Disguised as Fake Hacking Tools The Hack Boss telegram channel promotes itself as a place to get powerful hacking software. The advertised tools include programs that are supposedly capable of brute-forcing bank and dating application credentials, cryptocurrency...

The Zuadr Ransomware is a malware threat that can cause severe damage to any system it manages to infect. Affected users will be blocked from accessing nearly all of the files stored on the compromised device. The use of a strong cryptographic algorithm to encrypt the files ensures that decryption without the key possessed by the hackers will be impossible virtually.  Each file encrypted by the threat will have '.zuadr' appended to its original name as a new extension. Upon completion of the encryption routine, the Zuadr Ransomware will deliver its ransom note in two different forms - inside a text file named 'RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt' and displayed in a pop-up window. The messages are identical.  Victims of the Zuadr Ransomware will find that the hackers want to receive an unspecified amount of money to provide them with the...

ExploreActivity is classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that is spreading across Mac users. The reason for the application to be designated as a PUP is the dubious distribution methods it employs. Instead of relying on users downloading and installing it willingly, ExploreActivity hides its installation process either in a scheme known as bundling or inside fake software installer/updaters. In fact, ExploreActivity has been observed being delivered through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.  Once established on the user's computer, the application will initiate its two core functionalities - that of an adware program and a browser hijacker. The adware behavior will result in the user being flooded with unwanted and intrusive advertising materials such as pop-ups, banners, surveys, and more. Each displayed...

The 'AppleCare and Warranty' pop-up scam is a technical support tactic that, as its name suggests, is targeting Apple users. There are countless deceptive websites similar to this one, and they all operate in an identical manner virtually. All visitors who land on the page are presented with bogus claims about unspecified virus threats and are urged to call the provided number. The operator on the other end of the line is either one of the con artists or works for them. The 'AppleCare and Warranty' pop-up scam follows the same scenario. It claims to have detected a suspicious activation on the user's device, as a result of harmful viruses. The fake warnings and the fearmongering do not end there because the bogus site also urges the users to call the provided phone to avoid further loss of data and hard drive crashes. On multiple...

All Mac users know that if they close the lid, it would put the computer to sleep. However, in some cases, users may wish to lock their Mac. Doing so will also cause the system to enter into sleep mode with the difference that you will have to type a login password for the account the next time you reactivate it. This is a convenient way to prevent unwanted people from accessing your Mac. However, before you can lock your screen, it must be set up in System Preferences properly.  Launch System Preferences by either selecting it from the Apple menu or clicking its icon in the Dock. Open the 'Security & Privacy' pane. Go to the 'General' tab and from the 'Require Password...' drop-down menu select the option that best fits your needs. Afterward, the computer will be locked whenever it enters into sleep mode or a screensaver is...

Experiencing issues while trying to watch videos online can be a great source of frustration. There can be a myriad of reasons causing a particular problem, ranging from the website itself experiencing problems to interference in the Internet connection. On the user side of things, there are a couple of options that could resolve common issues that prevent videos from playing.  Start by checking if JavaScript hasn't somehow been deactivated on your browser. We will detail the steps of the process for Safari but they are fairly similar to other popular browsers. So, open Safari and go to 'Preferences' in the Menu bar. Navigate to the 'Security' tab and check the box for 'Enable JavaScript.' If you have multiple browser extensions installed, it might be worth a try to see if one of them isn't the cause of the problem. Start by...

Users who have just purchased or received a Mac computer and are still getting accustomed to the macOS environment might be wondering how to change the default background to one of their choosing. There are multiple ways of achieving this task, depending on your exact needs. For example, you can set a wallpaper from the Safari Web browser directly. If you have chosen an image that you want to be your new background, right-click it and select 'Use Image as Desktop Picture' from the available options.  To use an image that is stored on your hard drive, navigate to it, right-click it, and choose 'Services.' From the available options, click 'Set Desktop Picture.'  If you wish to use one of the standard images that come with your Mac, just make a right-click on a free area on the Desktop or double-click on the Macbook touchpad....

This week, the SpyHunter malware research team has highlighted a weekly roundup of common and critical malware threats that are currently affecting computers around the world. Take a look at this week's report and stay ahead of trending malware threats! This Week in Malware Video This episode discusses the following topics: How the fake security program Anti-Malware Lab runs fake system scans to intimidate Windows PC users, how the FBI removed backdoor threats from Microsoft Exchange Servers created by the HAFNIUM hacker group and exploited them via ransomware, and how Fxsmash.xyz uses aggressive advertising techniques to expose computer users to unwanted content.  Malware Security Alerts of the Week   AndroRATAndroRAT is a Remote Access Trojan that may allow hackers or cybercrooks to compromise devices where the attackers could gather...