What is Apple Care Protection Plan page? Is Apple Care Protection Plan page a virus? How to remove the Apple Care Protection Plan redirect and what is causing it?
Apple Care Protection Plan is the name of a fake web page that pretends to be the original apple support page. The main goal of this redirect scam is to display a “WARNING!” message that will automatically resize your web browser and appear each time when you visit your browser. Not only this, but also the Apple Care Protection Plan redirects can appear on all your Mac browsers, like Safari, Chrome and Firefox and they could be on your machine as a result of an unwanted program that may have added them. Read this article to learn how to remove Apple Care Protection Plan fully from your computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | Apple Care Protection Plan Virus |
| Type | Redirect Virus for Mac OS |
| Short Description | A browser redirect that could be caused by a potentially unwanted program added on your computer. Wants you to call a tech support number that is most likely scam. |
| Symptoms | Appears on each one of your browsers as a fake Apple page. |
| Distribution Method | Via software bundling or by being downloaded from the official site. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Apple Care Protection Plan Virus. |
Apple Care Protection Plan Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
Apple Care Protection Plan displays a scary message, whose main idea is to get victims to call the tech support number +1-800-679-2758. This redirect may appear on your Mac if you have installed a so-called potentially unwanted program, whose main goal could be to seem as if it is a helpful software, but in reality, it may slither tons of advertisements on your computer. Such programs can often end up on your computer as a result of being automatically added to it via software bundling or other.
When redirected, this page is what you will see when it comes to Apple Care Protection Plan:
It asks you to call +1-800-679-2758, a number that was reported multiple times with fake Windows messages as well
Either way, it is strongly reccomended not to call the provided numbers as they often aim to get your personal data by lying to you, also known as social engineering. The scammers could ask you to pay them money to supposedly fix your Mac or could ask for access to your computer. Not only this, but simply calling the number can result in huge phone bills.
Remove Apple Care Protection Plan Virus from Your Mac
In order to get rid of the Apple Care Protection Plan Virus fully from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath. They have been created with the main idea to help you delete this virus effectively step by step. Since programs, like the Apple Care Protection Plan Virus PUP can remain persistent on your Mac and leave behind leftover files, you should focus on downloading and running a scan using an advanced malwar eremoval software. Such program is effective and can detect all types of virus and unwanted files plus remove them permanently from your Mac.
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 Care Protection Plan Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Apple Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan Virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Apple Care Protection Plan Virus-FAQ
What is Apple Care Protection Plan Virus on your Mac?
The Apple Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Apple Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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 Care Protection Plan 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.