An infection with the dangerous $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam Redirect leads to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide.
Remove $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam and Restore PC
Manual Removal Guide
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Distribution of $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam
$1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam is a new malware which has been reported in various attacks worldwide. At the moment the security experts have not been able to identify a single tactic that is being used to infect the targets. We presume that the hackers are using several of the most important methods to carry out the malicious campaigns.
A common way of setting browser hijacker attacks is the use of email spam messages. They may directly distribute malicious file attachments containing scripts that lead to an infection. Other cases can utilize complex social engineering tricks and hyperlinks that are specifically made to confuse the intended targets into infecting themselves. Two more scenarios that are used in combination with email messages rely on infected files used as payloads ‒ documents and software installers.
- Infected Software Installers ‒ The criminals craft malicious packages made out of legitimate software installers. They are taken from the official vendor download sites, modified and then posted on online sites or attached (either as file attachments) or linked in the email messages.
- Infected Documents ‒ They represent dangerous files that usually come in the form of some of the most popular document types: rich text documents, spreadsheets and databases. When the users open them up a notification prompt will ask them to enable the built-in scripts (macros). If this is done then the malware is installed on the victim computer.
The malware browser plugins can be uploaded to hacker-controlled sites and P2P networks like BitTorrent as well. The hacker operators frequently utilize template design, text and images to create portals that look like legitimate download sources. They may also use domain names that are very similar to legitimate sites and advertise them via pop-ups or ad networks.
The browser hijacker code associated with the $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam Redirect can be found in numerous malware toolbars. They are usually made for the most popular web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Microsoft Edge. They can be distributed on such download sites or even on the browsers repositories (such as the Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome) using fake developer accounts.
Impact of $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam
The $1000 Amazon Gift Card scam is the type of scamming software which aims to perform various different types of modifications on the computers of affected users. The scam is likely related to a typical browser hijacking software which after slithering past your computer’s defenses, causes browser redirects to a hacker-controlled web page. This is because the hackers aim to create a complete profile of each affected computer to best target victims via different types of advertisements. All of this activity is likely to happen via the web browser of the user with the support of tracking technologies such as cookies, LSOs, tags and other types of tracking technologies on the computer of the victims. In addition to this, the software may also track different information from the victim’s computer, such as:
- The victim’s IP address.
- The victim’s passwords.
- Browsing history.
- Most often visited websites.
- Online clicks.
- Online searches.
But this is not where the activity of this browser hijacker ends. It may also perform other unwanted activities on the computer of the victim, such as inject additional unwanted browser extensions, adware as well as other types of activities that may redirect victims to scamming sites, like the $1000 Amazon gift card scam. In addition to this, the hijacker may also display other web pages of websites it aims to drive traffic to and those websites may also be malicious and infect your computer with various malware, like Trojans, Viruses and even ransomware viruses that aim to lock down your computer’s files and hold them hostage for a ransom.
The biggest symptom of having this browser hijacker on your computer is if you see a fake search engine as well as a fake toolbar of some sort. Such unwanted sites may drive you to third-party search results that display ads and they may also inject ads automatically in different forms such as:
- Ad-supported search results.
- Web browser pop-ups.
- Taken over banner spaces from your web browser.
- Highlighted text advertisements.
$1000 Amazon Gift Card scam Is a dangerous type of software that should be eliminated in full in order to prevent any privacy as well as security risks for victimized users. This is the main reason why we advise to delete all of the infections by following our removal manual.
$1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam Redirect – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Remove $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
2. In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
3. The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
Remove $1000 Amazon Gift Card Scam Virus From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
-
- 1. Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “
Add-ons
-
- “.
2. Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
3. Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
4. In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
5. Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
-
- 1. Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “
Customize and Control
-
- ” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “
Settings
- “.
2. Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
3. Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
4. Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
5. In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
2. In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
3. Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
4. Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
5. In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
Preventive Security Measures
- Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
- Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
- Secure your web browser.
- Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
- Disable macros in Office documents.
- Use strong passwords.
- Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
- Backup regularly your data.
