What Are the MaCos Virus Detected! Pop-up Alerts? Why Do I See Them?
The “MaCos Virus Detected!” pop-up alerts are a type of scareware or fake virus alert that appear on macOS devices. Such pop-ups are often employed by tech-support scams in order to trick victims into performing specific actions. These may include downloading rogue programs or calling fake tech support numbers.
These alerts are designed to trick you into believing your system or browser is infected with malware or viruses, when in reality, the alerts themselves are deceptive. Errors related to the MaCos Virus Detected! pop-ups include the following:
Safari is infected!
Your iCloud is being hacked!
System Mac OS is infected!
Gmail alert: Account has been hacked!
The pop-ups typically appear while browsing the web, and landing on a suspicious website that prompts you to enable push notifications. To stop them from appearing, you should disable push notifications and restore your browser’s settings. In addition, running an anti-malware scam is also recommended, especially if you have clicked something on the alerts.
MaCos Virus Detected! Pop-ups Details
| Name | "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP, Tech-support Scam |
| Removal Time | Less than 15 Minutes |
| Removal Tool |
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MaCos Virus Detected! Pop-ups
MaCos Virus Detected! pop-ups belong to a tech-support scam, aiming to deceive people and steal their money or personal information. The pop-ups start appearing after enabling push notifications on a fraudulent website.
This scam website starts generating numerous pop-up alerts that lead to harmful redirects. These could potentially expose sensitive information from your browsing or personal accounts, and could expose you to phishing attempts.
Information that can be grabbed by scammers while you are exposed to these pop-up alerts includes the following:
- Visited URLs and websites;
- Browser’s home page;
- Search queries;
- Search queries on the visited web pages;
- Type of used browser;
- Operating system type;
- Internet protocol (IP) address;
- Geographic location;
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP);
- Diagnostic information which describes how their Services are operating on the system.
How Dangerous Are the “MaCos Virus Detected!” Pop-ups?
Even though these pop-ups do not fit the definition of a computer virus, they are still considered harmful, due to the reasons we just explained.
“MaCos Virus Detected!” pop-ups can also be described as creates “browser spam” in the form of uninvited push notification pop-ups. Despite not being directly malicious, websites triggering these fake alerts are associated with adware infestations and intrusive redirect loops.
Remove MaCos Virus Detected! Pop-ups
When affected by intrusive MaCos Virus Detected! pop-ups, the fastest way to eliminate the root cause is scanning your system with anti-malware. You should also disable push notifications in your affected browser. These measures will ensure a safer and more secure browsing experience.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups, 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.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups and remove related files and objects
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 "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups:
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 "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups. 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 "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover 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 "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups 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:
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 "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups. 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 3: Remove "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
"MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups-FAQ
What is "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups on your Mac?
The "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the "MaCos Virus Detected!" Pop-ups threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.