Are you receiving annoying pop-up alerts and messages coming from Applesupportofficial.com? if so, you should be extra careful as this is yet another tech-support scam.
Applesupportofficial.com is a bogus and potentially malicious domain which generates fake virus warnings associated with a tech support scam. Fake warnings in the form of pop-up alerts promote supposedly toll-free phone numbers that belong to tech support services. Needless to say, these pop-ups should not be trusted.
In this case, the scammers behind Applesupportofficial.com claim that the user’s Mac has been compromised by a “Popup Adware Virus” which has been generating “popup ads” and “security issues”. The truth is that the warning itself is adware, and it has nothing to do with the actual Apple company, as this is just another scareware scam that pushes the potential victim towards interacting with the scammers.
Continue reading to learn what steps to take to rid your system of the “Popup Adware Virus” alert.
Threat Summary
| Name | Applesupportofficial.com |
| Type | Tech Support Scam |
| Short Description | A tech support scam targeted at macOS users that tries to trick you into thinking your system has been infected by a “popup adware virus”. |
| Symptoms | Pop-ups and redirects, fake virus warnings, browser slow-downs are also possible. In some cases, the affected browser can be locked. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Redirects |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Combo Cleaner
|
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Applesupportofficial.com. |
Applesupportofficial.com Scam Virus – Distribution
The Applesupportofficial.com scam could have been triggered by visiting a suspicious website and clicking on an ad. This is the primary method scammers employ to spread their scareware messages across the Web.
Another distribution method requires the download of a freeware program which may have been bundled with adware. Adware is designed to generate unwanted pop-ups, and this behavior is typical for tech-support scams, too. Freeware applications are often regarded as PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and could also be spreading this sort of scam. You should be aware that suspicious software could cause the scareware messages to pop up in your browsers. Websites for free downloads usually come with third-party installations and bundled software packages. That is why they are generally unsafe, and you should be extra careful before downloading anything from such pages.
Applesupportofficial.com Scam Virus – Details
The Applesupportofficial.com is generating fake virus warnings. One of these messages reads the following:
Dear Apple Customer,
You have been redirected to Apple Support page because your Mac is infected with Popup Adware Virus due to download’s from untrusted source.
We have noticed excessive POPUP ADS or SECURITY ISSUES on your Mac computer!
It could be because of a possible MALWARE or SPYWARE download.
CHAT NOW WITH APPLE SUPPORT
Please note your CASE ID is: [numbers and letters] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED : CONTACT NOW
As visible by this message, this time the scamemrs are not promoting a telephone line but a support chat. Of course, chatting with scammers is highly dangerous and should not be done. If you get in touch with the scammers, they may trick you into providing remote control over your system to plant malware or spyware.
Note that this is not the only fake tech support scam against Macs. Here is a list of several others (which are all currently circling the web, so beware):
- “AppleCare Protection Plan” Scam
- “Your Mac is Infected with 3 Viruses”
- Will damage your computer Error
Remove “AppleCare Protection Plan” Scam Virus
If you want to remove the cause of Applesupportofficial.com, we recommend that you use a specific anti-malware program. The main purpose of such a program is to scan your system and terminate the files displaying malicious behavior as well as remove any malicious code in your repositories. Lastly, with a specific anti-malware program, your Mac will have a better protection against scams and malware.
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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 Applesupportofficial.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Applesupportofficial.com, 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 Applesupportofficial.com 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 Applesupportofficial.com:
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 Applesupportofficial.com. 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 Applesupportofficial.com. 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 Applesupportofficial.com 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 Applesupportofficial.com. 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 Applesupportofficial.com – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Applesupportofficial.com-FAQ
What is Applesupportofficial.com on your Mac?
The Applesupportofficial.com 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 Applesupportofficial.com?
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 Applesupportofficial.com?
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 Applesupportofficial.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Applesupportofficial.com 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 Applesupportofficial.com?
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 Applesupportofficial.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.