Get Rid of Referral Spam Linking to Teslathemes(.)com Completely

by Ventsislav Krastev | December 28, 2015 | 0 Comments browser redirect, Referral Spam, spam

Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam – How Did I Get It Block Referral Spam Redirecting to Teslathemes(.)com

Referral spam has been reported to link via different URLs to a website advertising a WordPress plugin, called Teslathemes(.)com. The original purpose of the plugin Is claimed to provide WordPress themes on a professional level. However, researchers report it to be associated with massive referral spam that may quickly devaluate Google Analytics statistics.

Name	Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam
Type	Referral Spam
Short Description	The domain new-look(.)for-your(.)website redirects to a third-party website, promoting a WordPress plugin for site themes.
Symptoms	The user may witness spam messages in the form of forum replies as well as comments, posts and other content posted from third-parties containing new-look(.)for-your(.)website domain as well as others.
Distribution Method	Via Referral Spam Techniques – Ghost Referral and Web Crawlers
Detection Tool	Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
User Experience	Join our forum to discuss about Referral Spam redirecting to Teslathemes(.)com.

Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam – How Did I Get It

Referral spam such as the one promoting different URLs to Teslathemes(.)com may be distributed using two main spam techniques:

Ghost Referral Spam

Ghost Referral Spam (also known as ghost referrer) is a very effective spamming technique that is very sophisticated. The specifics around ghost referrer spam are that it takes advantage via the free HTTP connection passing through. That may allow it to target different aspects of the websites and remain concealed for long periods of times just like its name suggests – a ghost.

Web Crawler Spam

Crawlers also known as spiders are the other form of spam URLs that may appear without permission on your site. They are named crawlers because the spamming software “crawls” for websites that suit a pre-set criteria, after which conducts its spam. This type of technique is less aggressive and most spammers back away after being warned several times.

Teslathemes(.)com in Detail

Teslathemes is a website that may be based in the UK with a high trust rating, promoting WordPress themes. Furthermore, the site is being promoted with links such as new-look(.)for-your(.)website that redirect to it. This suggests that the website may or may not use third-party services that spam it or a phishing page of Teslathemes(.)com which may be hazardous for a user, visiting it.

Regarding the suspicious URL new-look(.)for-your(.)website, there is no known information only that it`s main domain is called for-your(.)website and the page for it is blank. Another information that was eventually discovered was that the mysterious domain may originate from Panama, according to CQcounter.

Security researchers believe that besides Teslathemes, the spam URL may drive traffic to other websites that may or may not conceal two types of dangers from the user:

Infect the user`s PC with malware such as Cryptowall 4.0, Exploit Kits, Trojans, Browser Hijackers and others.
Redirect the user to an online scamming site that may be a phishing one and its aim might be to obtain vital user information.

Either way, referral spam is not known to come in good will in general for both users and website publishers. It may link to suspicious sites as well as legitimate ones, and it may corrupt data in Google Analytics. Security experts strongly advise users to block out all domains that are associated with the referral domain, including it as well.

Block Referral Spam Redirecting to Teslathemes(.)com

To successfully block referral spam such as new-look(.)for-your(.)website that at the time of writing redirects to Teslathemes(.)com users should take extra precautions. We have provided step-by-step instructions for different methods to block out this and other blacklisted spamming domains and ensure that your website is safer.

Before beginning your learning process on how to block out referral spam, it is advisable to check other blacklistes spammer domains to block them as well:

https://github.com/piwik/referrer-spam-blacklist/blob/master/spammers.txt

Here are several methods to block out Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam

Method 1: Google Analytics

You can always try to block all of the domains associated with this website (.info, .net., .com, etc.).

Step 1: Click on the ‘Admin’ tab on your GA web page.
Step 2: Choose which ‘View’ is to be filtered and then click the ‘Filters’ button.
Step 3: Click on ‘New Filter’.
Step 4: Write a name, such as ‘Spam Referrals’.
Step 5: On Filter Type choose Custom Filter –>Exclude Filter –> Field: Campaign Source–> Filter Pattern. Then on the Pattern, enter the domain names – for-your(.)website or Teslathemes(.)com(optional)
Step 6: Select Views to Apply Filter.
Step 7: Save the filter, by clicking on the ‘Save’ button.
You are done! Congratulations!

Also, make sure you check out these several methods to help you further block out this referrer spam from Google Analytics:

https://sensorstechforum.com/exclude-all-hits-from-known-bots-and-spiders-in-google-analytics/

Method 2: Block it from your server.

In case you have a server that is Apache HTTP Server, you may want to try the following commands to block new-look(.)for-your(.)website and domains in the .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine on

RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^https://.* for-your \.website/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^https://.* new-look \.for-your/ \.website/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^https://.* for-your \-for\-website\.website/

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ – [F,L]

In case you are not using Teslathemes and do not wish users to visit it you may also want to insert the following Rewrite command:

RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^https://.* teslathemes \.com/ [NC,OR]

Also here is a web link to some spam URLs being blacklisted from other servers:

https://perishablepress.com/blacklist/ultimate-referrer-blacklist.txt

Disclaimer: This type of domain blocking in Apache servers has not yet been tested and it should be done by experienced professionals. Backup is always recommended.

Method 3 – Via WordPress

There is a method outlined by security researchers online that uses WordPress plugins to block referrer spams from sites. There are many plugins that help deal with referrer spam, simply do a google search. We have currently seen one particular plugin reported to work, called WP-Ban, but bear in mind that you may find an equally good or better. WP-Ban has the ability to block users based on their IP address and other information such as the URL, for example.

In case you have been redirected to or personally visited URLs by for-your(.)website it is advisable to user advanced anti-malware scanner to check whether or not your machine has been infected with malware since this service may advertise all sorts of concealed dangers. Security engineers recommend performing more than one system scan for maximum effectiveness.

Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Teslathemes(.)com Referral Spam from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.