The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required POP-UP Scam (Mac)

What is The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required?

Today, the internet is full of fake messages (errors, virus alerts, and so on) including "The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required", which is just one of many and very similar to "AppleCare Protection Plan", "Found 4 Virus", and "Your Mac Might Be Infected!", etc. In most cases, users encounter these fake warning messages when visiting untrustworthy/deceptive websites.

Users generally arrive at these websites unintentionally - they are redirected to them by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive advertisements. Typically, PUAs are installed without users' knowledge, cause redirects, collect data, and deliver intrusive advertisements.

This fake virus alert message indicates that the "Official Support" website has made a virus scan and states that the MAC OS is infected with spyware and other malicious applications.

Typically, this message states that there are three spyware infections found and that immediate action must be taken to prevent any further system damage and loss of applications, photos, or even or even personal/banking information.

"The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" urges people to contact developers via a telephone number "+1-844-628-5888" provided so that "official support" can remove the infections. According to them, if you leave the website, your computer will be vulnerable to a number of risks. These statements are false and the developers' requirements should be ignored.

Leave the site and do not use the telephone number. In most cases, "The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" fake message can be removed simply by quitting the deceptive website that caused it. If, however, the website cannot be closed, use Task Manager to end the entire browser process or simply restart your computer.

Note that the previous browsing session should not be restored after a restart, since this will only open the identical sites that triggered the "The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" message.

Potentially unwanted applications usually cause redirects to websites that provoke fake messages, but also gather data such as IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, keystrokes, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, etc. PUAs might also collect personal or sensitive data that is later shared with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Therefore, having these PUAs installed can result in privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft. Another downside of these applications is intrusive ads. PUAs deliver coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other similar ads that are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content.

Furthermore, once clicked, they often redirect users to untrustworthy websites or even execute scripts that download and install other PUAs. We strongly recommend that you uninstall all PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" virus
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

As mentioned, there are many various fake errors, virus alert, and other messages on the internet. All state that there are problems with your computer or operating system, viruses need to be cleaned, and so on. In most cases, developers attempt to trick users into paying money for assistance or products that supposedly provide solutions.

All PUAs are very similar - developers promote them by offering 'useful features', however, these applications generally deliver none of the functionality promised and are designed only to cause redirects, collect data, and deliver ads.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some PUAs have official websites on which they can be downloaded or are promoted, however, they are usually installed without users' permission or knowledge. Users often install PUAs through intrusive ads or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of unwanted software with regular software.

Software developers avoid disclosing information about additionally-included apps and hide "bundled" applications in "Custom/Advanced" or other sections of the download/installation processes. In summary, most PUAs are installed when users skip software installation steps or click intrusive ads.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Be cautious when browsing the web and downloading/installing software. Study each step of any download/installation process and deselect additionally-included applications that you do not want to install. Software should be downloaded from official, trustworthy sources or using direct download links.

Various third party downloaders/installers often include rogue applications, and thus these tools should never be used. The same applies to torrent clients or other similar software. Bear in mind that intrusive ads usually seem legitimate, but many redirect to untrustworthy sites (such as gambling, adult dating, etc.).

If you encounter these redirects, check the list of installed applications (plug-ins, add-ons, extensions) on your web browser and uninstall all dubious entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in "The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" scam:

WARNING!

MAC OS is infected with Spyware and other malicious applications. Spyware must be removed and system damage repaired. It is necessary to Call Apple Support +1-844-628-5888 and follow Virus removal procedures immediately, please proceed.
Please Call Apple Support +1-844-628-5888
The removal of (3) Spyware is required immediately to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos and other files.
Traces of (1) Phishing/Spyware were found in your Mac OS X. Personal and banking information are at risk.

Appearance of "The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" scam (GIF):

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is "The Removal Of (3) Spyware Is Required" virus?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

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