Equalecioncers.com has emerged as a rogue webpage that manipulates browser settings to deliver intrusive push notifications and redirect users to potentially malicious websites. Discovered during a routine investigation into suspicious domains, this site typifies a growing trend of browser-based threats that exploit social engineering tactics to gain access to users’ devices.
Threat Summary
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | Ads by equalecioncers.com |
Threat Type | Push notification scam, pop-up ads, rogue redirects |
Detection Names | N/A on VirusTotal |
Associated IP Address | 18.118.204.194 |
Observed Subdomains | wjshynxz, 0wvghk, aalmesvi, aavigqjo, acrgiqkn, etc. (all under equalecioncers.com) |
Symptoms | Pop-up ads, browser redirects, slower browsing, ads on unrelated sites |
Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, malicious redirects, potentially unwanted programs |
Damage Potential | Privacy risks, identity theft, malware infections, degraded system performance |
Danger Level | High |
What is Equalecioncers.com?
Equalecioncers.com is not a legitimate site and has no real content or service to offer. Instead, its purpose is to trick users into enabling browser notifications under false pretenses—most commonly by simulating a fake CAPTCHA test. When users are prompted to “Click ‘Allow’ to confirm that you are not a robot,” they’re unknowingly permitting the site to flood their browser with advertisements.
These ads are often deceptive, leading users to scam pages, fake downloads, or malware-laden sites. Once permission is granted, it becomes challenging to stop the spam without intervention, and many users report seeing continuous pop-ups—even when not actively browsing.
How Does Equalecioncers.com Work?
The behavior of rogue pages like Equalecioncers.com can vary depending on the visitor’s IP address or geolocation, making detection and reporting more difficult. These sites are generally accessed through redirects from websites that partner with rogue advertising networks. Users often encounter them while browsing pirated content, adult websites, or streaming platforms that use shady ad services.
Once on the site, the user is baited with a buffering video or CAPTCHA prompt, designed solely to trick them into clicking “Allow.” This click gives the site permission to send browser notifications at will, even when the browser is closed.
Why You Should Be Concerned
The main danger of Equalecioncers.com lies in its deceptive tactics and its ability to continually spam users with malicious or scammy content. These notifications can:
- Lead to financial scams (phishing or fake lotteries)
- Encourage downloads of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or malware
- Track user activity and compromise privacy
- Serve as a gateway for more severe infections, including ransomware or trojans
Even tech-savvy users can fall victim to these scams if they unknowingly click on “Allow” while distracted or misled. The effects can range from minor annoyances to severe data breaches or identity theft.
Manual Adware Removal (Windows & Mac)
Step 1: Identify Suspicious Applications
For Windows Users
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
to open the Task Manager. - Check the “Processes” tab for unfamiliar or suspicious programs consuming excessive CPU or memory.
- If you find any, note their names and close them.
- Open
Control Panel
>Programs
>Programs and Features
. - Locate the suspicious application, right-click it, and select “Uninstall.”
For Mac Users
- Open
Finder
and navigate toApplications
. - Look for any suspicious or unknown applications.
- Drag them to the
Trash
, then right-click on theTrash
and selectEmpty Trash
. - Open
System Preferences
>Users & Groups
>Login Items
and remove any unrecognized startup programs.
Step 2: Remove Adware-Related Browser Extensions
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and go to
Menu
(three dots in the top-right corner) >Extensions
. - Locate suspicious extensions and click “Remove.”
- Reset Chrome: Go to
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and go to
Menu
(three lines in the top-right corner) >Add-ons and themes
. - Locate and remove suspicious extensions.
- Reset Firefox: Go to
Help
>More troubleshooting information
> “Refresh Firefox.”
Safari (Mac)
- Open Safari and go to
Preferences
>Extensions
. - Locate and remove any unknown extensions.
- Reset Safari: Go to
History
> “Clear History.”
Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge and go to
Menu
(three dots in the top-right corner) >Extensions
. - Remove suspicious extensions.
- Reset Edge: Go to
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their default values.”
Step 3: Delete Adware-Related Files and Folders
For Windows Users
- Press
Win + R
, type%AppData%
, and press Enter. - Look for suspicious folders and delete them.
- Repeat for
%LocalAppData%
,%ProgramData%
, and%Temp%
.
For Mac Users
- Open Finder, press
Shift + Command + G
, and enter~/Library/Application Support/
. - Locate and delete suspicious folders.
- Repeat for
~/Library/LaunchAgents/
,~/Library/LaunchDaemons/
, and~/Library/Preferences/
.
Step 4: Flush DNS Cache (Recommended)
For Windows Users
- Open
Command Prompt
as Administrator. - Type
ipconfig /flushdns
and press Enter.
For Mac Users
- Open
Terminal
. - Type
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
and press Enter.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Restart your device to complete the manual removal process.
Automatic Adware Removal Using SpyHunter (Windows & Mac)
For a hassle-free and effective removal, use SpyHunter, a robust anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove adware efficiently.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Download SpyHunter from the official website: Click here to download SpyHunter.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
Follow the installation instructions based on your operating system:
For Windows Users:
- Open the downloaded
.exe
file. - Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.
For Mac Users:
- Open the downloaded
.dmg
file. - Drag and drop SpyHunter into the Applications folder.
- Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.
Step 3: Perform a System Scan
- Open SpyHunter.
- Click on
Start Scan
. - Wait for the scan to complete.
- Review the detected threats and click
Fix Threats
to remove adware.
Step 4: Restart Your Device
After SpyHunter removes the threats, restart your computer to finalize the process.
For the most secure and effective removal, we recommend downloading and using SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter Here.
Stay safe and keep your system clean!
Conclusion
Equalecioncers.com is a textbook example of how fake CAPTCHAs and rogue ad networks are weaponized to distribute malicious content. Although it may appear as a harmless verification prompt, enabling notifications from such a site can lead to a cascade of security issues. While this article doesn’t include a removal guide, being aware of this threat is the first step in protecting yourself from browser-based social engineering attacks.
Stay informed, and always double-check the legitimacy of any site before granting notification permissions.