"Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection" Scam (Mac)

What is Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection?

"Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website. Users often visit this website without their consent - they are redirected by potentially unwanted adware-type programs (PUPs). These apps usually infiltrate systems during installation of other software (bundling method).

As well as causing unwanted redirects, adware continually delivers intrusive online advertisements and records information relating to web browsing activity.

The "Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection" error states that the computer has been infected and that restarting or shutting the system down can result in permanent data loss. Therefore, victims are encouraged to contact technical support via a telephone number (1-800-865-4168) provided.

They supposedly then receive help in solving the issue. Be aware, however, that the "Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection" error is fake, simply a scam - cyber criminals attempt to trick victims into calling, and paying for services that are not needed. Therefore, the "Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection" error should be ignored.

Adware-type applications employ a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar ads. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying web content. Furthermore, some redirect to malicious websites - clicking them risks further computer infection.

In addition, adware collects information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. The information (geo-locations, Internet Protocol addresses, search queries, URLs visited, etc.) might contain private details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal details to generate revenue.

Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Adware should be uninstalled immediately.

The Internet is full of adware-type applications. Examples include SurfBuyer, MediaDownloader, WishApp, and many others. They deliver promises to enable 'useful functionality', however, all adware is designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Claims to provide so-called 'useful features' are merely attempts to trick users to install. Rather than providing any significant value for regular users, adware-type apps collect personally identifiable information and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

How did Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection install on my computer?

Adware-type applications are often distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software.

Users often rush the download/installation processes. Aware of this, developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures. By skipping steps, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and put their privacy at risk.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two steps you should take to prevent system infiltration by PUPs. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and opt-out of those already included.

Text presented within the fake error pop-up:

Mac detected TAPSNAKE infection scam

**** Don’t Restart Your Computer **** Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection, The Infections detected, indicate some recent downloads on the computer which in turn has created problems on the computer. Call Mac professionals at +1-800-865-4168 and share this code B2957E to the Technician to Fix This.

PLEASE DO NOT SHUT DOWN OR RESTART THE COMPUTER, DOING THAT MAY LEAD TO DATA LOSS AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM, AND POTENTIAL NON BOOTABLE DATA LOSS. CONTACT LIVE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE CALLING TOLL FREE: +1-800-865-4168

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Quick menu:

• What is Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection?
• STEP 1. Remove Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

Adware removal:

Remove Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection-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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