Your Windows (Microsoft) Computer has been blocked
Virtual schemers are back with a new scam, and it is known by the name Your Windows (Microsoft) Computer has been blocked. The name derives from the first line within a pop-up alert that can appear on any web browser. The pop-up is hosted by a corrupted website to which schemers need to redirect you to, and we have found that different methods can be used to achieve this. Once it shows up, modal alert dialog is looped to ensure that you cannot close the tab or even the browser representing the pop-up. ...
Apocalypse Ransomware
Apocalypse Ransomware is a malicious infection that locks users screen and blocks such programs as Task Manager or Explorer. As a result, users see a white screen with a ransom note from the malware’s developers. The note says that all your data was encrypted, but with a locked screen you cannot even check whether that is true. The only solution is to restart your computer in Safe Mode. Users who do not know how to do that could follow the instructions below the text. They will also show you how to delete the ransomware once you restart in the Safe Mode. ...
Time-to-read.ru
Time-to-read.ru can hijack Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome browsers, and it usually takes over the homepage section by replacing the regular page with one of the many different search engines. According to our research, this browser hijacker is very similar to such infamous hijackers as Workno.ru, Smartinf.ru, or Funday24.ru, and, as you can see, all of them are targeted at the Russian market. Once installed, the hijacker adds an autorun registry, so as to ensure that a specific website is launched every time the computer is restated. ...
7h9r Ransomware
7h9r Ransomware is a serious computer infection that was developed by cyber criminals to obtain money from users. This threat is definitely not the only one that exists on the web and threatens to steal money from innocent users; however, it is definitely unique in one sense – researchers at 411-spyware.com have conducted research and found that this ransomware infections deletes itself after it finishes encrypting files and does not create copies of itself in different directories. In addition, it encrypts files silently and does not change the Desktop background. ...
Startup Maximizer
Startup Maximizer is a questionable application that could be present on your computer even without your knowledge. It does not mean that this software infiltrated your system by using some stealth techniques or magic. Unfortunately, a lot of users do not pay enough attention while installing bundled software and this is how they can be surprised to find potentially unwanted programs (PUP) like this on board. However, if this PUP comes as a surprise to you, there is a good chance that you will find other infections as well on your system. ...
Nuesearch.com
Nuesearch.com is a browser hijacker from the Elex family, and it can take over your Firefox and Chrome browsers without any warning. Although some users are likely to accept browser modifications willingly, it is also possible that the hijacker will take over browsers illegally. Our research team warns that malicious installers can be used for the distribution of this hijacker, and some of them could infiltrate it silently. So, was your homepage on Firefox/Chrome browser modified illegally or was this done with your knowledge? ...
Nt.Searchpassage.com
A browser hijacker called Nt.Searchpassage.com is compatible with Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers, and it usually takes over them when users install the SearchPassage extension available from chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/searchpassage/ccnbidgnapdaablpjfacegnliaikhmbm and the official download page, searchpassage.com. According to the research we have conducted, malicious installers spread this software as well, and they can spread it along with additional threats or potentially unwanted programs. Since these installers are quite unpredictable, there is a risk of letting in malware without knowing it. ...
Mass Sea
Mass Sea claims to be an application that can help users “fish up the best in a massive sea of search results.” However, do not let its appearance trick you; the program is classified as adware, not without a reason. Our researchers found out that it can load annoying pop-ups and commercial advertisements on your browser. It might look like these ads are showing better or less expensive products. Sadly, we have to warn users that if you interact with the adware’s pop-ups and ads, you may accidentally infect your computer with malware. ...
SearchSwapper.com
Having SearchSwapper.com in your browsers as your home page, new tab page, and default search engine can mean two things: you installed this potentially unwanted program (PUP) knowingly or you have no clue how it showed up in your browsers. We believe that most users would go for the latter option. The simple reason is that this browser plugin is in fact a totally useless tool that no one would really want to install, and also, that it is mostly distributed in a questionable way. This plugin offers you a choice of three major search engines to do your web searches through, but, unfortunately, it is also possible that this tool manipulates the results. This is why you might be exposed to unreliable third-party web content through this PUP. We recommend that you remove SearchSwapper.com if you want to keep your computer clean; however, it is quite likely that this browser plugin is the least of your worries right now.
There are two official sites where you can install this plugin directly. First, the promotional page at SearchSwapper.com and second, the Chrome web store at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/search-swapper/cjbcfallgciioplgkfabocdnnnibbfln. You need to understand one basic rule here. Just because a tool has its own webpage or is promoted in the web store it does not mean it is a reliable and useful application. As a matter of fact, only two users seem to have installed this plugin through the store, which should tell you about its popularity. This web store hosts hundreds of potentially harmful tools that get reported and blocked every day, one by one. This is the most likely fate of this PUP as well. In fact, if you want to know what you are about to install, you should always run a quick web search first. In this case, if you check the unique Chrome ID of this application (cjbcfallgciioplgkfabocdnnnibbfln), you will find a whole page of articles about why you should remove SearchSwapper.com from your computer. This should be enough proof for you to know that you are dealing with a potentially risky tool.
But, unfortunately, it gets worse. This unreliable search page can also be found in free software bundles travelling with malware infections. Such a bundle can pack several browser hijackers, adware applications, Trojans as well as potentially unwanted programs. Installing such a package could mean a great security risk. You need to see that this PUP may not be the only threat on your computer; in fact, SearchSwapper.com could be the smallest risk source. You can download such a malicious bundle if your computer is already infected with malware, such as adware. Such an infection can display corrupt ads (banners and pop-ups) while you are surfing the web and if you click on these, you may end up with a package on your PC that may contain this PUP on top of other more serious threats.
This can also happen if you visit suspicious torrent and shareware sites. These places are swarming with dangerous third-party ads. If you click on one, you could easily drop such a bundle onto your hard drive. If this happens to you, it is essential that you delete SearchSwapper.com and scan your PC with a proper malware scanner to see what else may threaten your virtual security.
This useless browser plugin claims to enable you to “control your choice of search engines” and in this aspect it actually delivers as promised. You can choose from a drop-down menu left of the search box whether you want to do your search by using Google, Yahoo, or Bing. However, the problem is that this PUP may be able to modify those search result pages and insert certain third-party ads and links. This is how this tool can actually make money for its creators. So you may think that you are on a legitimate results page and it is safe to click on any content, even advertisements. But you would be wrong and this mistake could cost you dearly. In fact, you may get redirected to fake websites pretending to be online shops or simple phishing overlay pages that can trick you into revealing your personal or banking information. Can you image what could happen if this sensitive information gets in the hands of cyber criminals? If you do not want to figure it out, you should not hesitate to remove SearchSwapper.com from your PC.
We have found that the best way to make sure that this PUP goes without a trace is to reset all affected browsers, including Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer. If you are not familiar with this process, please use our instructions below as a reference. You may realize now how important it is to protect your PC effectively. You can become more cautious about the websites your visit and the content you click on. However, the best way to safeguard your computer is to install a reliable anti-malware application, such as SpyHunter.
Remove SearchSwapper.com from browsers
Mozilla Firefox
- Tap Alt+H and select Troubleshooting Information.
- Click Refresh Firefox.
- Click Refresh Firefox in the confirmation window.
- Press Finish.
Google Chrome
- Tap Alt+F and select Settings.
- Click Show advanced settings at the bottom.
- Click Reset settings at the bottom.
- Press Reset in the confirmation window.
Internet Explorer
- Tap Alt+T and select Internet Options.
- On the Advanced tab, click Reset.
- Select the Delete personal settings checkbox and click Reset.
- Press Close.
Search.yourmovietimenow.com
Search.yourmovietimenow.com is a browser hijacker whose purpose is to redirect web traffic and subject you to commercial advertisements presented in its search results. Its malicious actions include changing your browser’s homepage and other search-related settings. You should remove this hijacker because it changes your browser’s settings without your permission and its promoted links could redirect to malicious websites. In short, this hijacker is part of a web monetization campaign, and it will in no way improve your search results. ...
