What is an Apple Redirect Virus? How to remove an Apple Redirect Virus from your Mac? How to try and fix your Mac after removing an Apple virus? How to protect yourself from an Apple Virus infection?
Apple Redirect Virus is the type of unwanted software for Apple Redirect Virus devices that acts in a malicious manner. Viruses for PC are not something new, but for Apple and more importantly MacOS Apple devices, they are starting to shape a new trend. So far, we have detected multiple different types of viruses for Apple and these viruses are the last thing that you would like to have on your Mac. Read this article to understand how to spot and remove viruses from Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | Apple Redirect Virus |
| Type | Redirect Virus for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to infect your computer and perfrom a range of unwanted activities on it. |
| Symptoms | May show ads, perform redirects, have no symptoms or permanently lock or damage your Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Via malicious files, web links or other objects. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Apple Redirect Virus. |
Apple Redirect Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The main way via which the Apple Redirect Virus could have landed on your Mac is likely via one of the following methods:
- By being bundled in the installer of another app, where it is offered as a “Free Extra” or an “Optional Offer”.
- Via malicious browser redirect to a virus link.
- By pretending to be a legitimate app on software download sites.
- By posing as a legitimate browser extension.
The Apple Redirect Virus is the type of threat that once on your computer may begin to perform a lot of different malicious activities on your Mac.
The main activities that may be performed by Apple Redirect Virus have the main goal to slither ads on your Mac of different types, such as:
- Redirects.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Push notifications.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
Not only this, but having such unwanted program may also mean that the redirects they lead you could pose different threats to you. One example features a fake message that your Mac (example: Your Mac is Heavily Damaged) has been compromised and you need to download a fake antivirus program that only wants you to pay to use it:
Another redirect may lead you to a dangerous Push Notifications virus, such as the one underneath:
Furthermore, there is a danger that the Apple Redirect virus may cause a redirection to a phishing site, such as the AppleID phishing, whose main purpose is to steal your Apple credentials:
More so, an Apple redirect may lead you to a page, that may infect your Mac with a dangerous virus, like OSX.Trojan.Gen Mac malware or Mac Kontrol Trojan. This is why removing Apple Redirect virus as soon as possible is essential.
Remove Apple Redirect Virus from Your Mac
If you want to get rid of the Apple Redirect Virus completely from your Mac, we strongly advise that you use the removal steps below. They have been created with the main purpose to get you to delete this virus step-by-step from your Mac. For maximum results, we strongly suggest that you download and run a scan, using an advanced anti-malware software. Such professional cleaner tool aims to scan your Mac for all the Apple Redirect Virus files and remove them effectively.
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.
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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 Apple Redirect Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Apple Redirect Virus, 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 Apple Redirect Virus 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 Apple Redirect Virus:
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 Apple Redirect Virus. 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 Apple Redirect Virus. 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 Apple Redirect Virus 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 Apple Redirect Virus. 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 Apple Redirect Virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Apple Redirect Virus-FAQ
What is Apple Redirect Virus on your Mac?
The Apple Redirect Virus 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 Apple Redirect Virus?
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 Apple Redirect Virus?
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 Apple Redirect Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Apple Redirect Virus 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 Apple Redirect Virus?
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 Apple Redirect Virus threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.