MAC Malware Warning Alert ! Scam (Mac)

What is "MAC Malware Warning Alert !"?

"MAC Malware Warning Alert !" is a fake pop-up error message claiming that the victim's computer has been infected. This message is usually delivered by a deceptive website, to which users are redirected by various adware-type applications that specifically target the Mac OS.

These deceptive applications usually infiltrate systems without users' permission. Furthermore, adware-type apps continually gather various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

"MAC Malware Warning Alert !" claims that the system has been infected with high-risk malware. It is stated that users' privacy is at risk. Therefore, they are encouraged to contact "Certified Technicians" via a toll-free telephone number provided (+1-844-893-1758).

On first inspection, this error may appear legitimate, however, "MAC Malware Warning Alert !" is a scam. Cyber criminals attempt to scare victims and trick them into calling the number and paying for services that are not needed.

Be aware that the aforementioned adware-type applications deliver various intrusive online advertisements that conceal underlying content of visited websites, and might also redirect to various malicious sites. Clicking them is risky and can result in various computer infections.

In addition, adware monitors users' Internet browsing activity by gathering various information that might be personally identifiable. Examples include Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geo-locations, language settings, keyboard/mouse activity, websites visited, pages viewed, and search queries.

This information is shared with various third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private data. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues. For these reasons, adware-type applications should be uninstalled immediately.

Be aware that all adware-type applications are virtually identical. By offering 'useful features', apps such as WishApp, MyShopBot, Mac-Flix, etc. often trick users into believing that they are legitimate and useful. In fact, all adware is designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Claims to provide 'useful functionality' are false. Adware-type applications merely generate intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model), record various information (which is later sold to third parties) and often cause unwanted browser redirects.

How did adware install on my computer?

Adware is often distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of additional applications with regular [usually free] software). Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip most steps.

Therefore, bundled applications are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. By skipping this section, users expose their systems to risk of various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using the aforementioned bundling method. Therefore, be cautious when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step. In addition, decline all offers to download/install third party applications and opt-out of those already included.

Screenshot of "MAC Malware Warning Alert !" pop-up error:

Text presented within the pop-up error:

MAC Malware Warning Alert! Scam
Network Server has detected some suspicious activity from your IP address.Cydoor Spyware may have caused a security breach at your network location.YOUR PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MIGHT BE AT RISK.Call Toll Free +1-844-893-1758.
Please contact Apple Certified Technician to rectify the issue.Please do not open internet browser for your security issue to avoid data corruption or data loss.Please contact Apple Certified technicians at Toll Free HelpLine:+1-844-893-1758
PLEASE DO NOT SHUT

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Quick menu:

• What is 'MAC Malware Warning Alert !"?
• STEP 1. Remove "MAC Malware Warning Alert !" related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Adware removal:

Remove "Mac Malware Warning Alert !"-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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