What Is Apple Platform Security Alert
Apple Platform Security Alert is the name of a browser redirect page that is likely caused on your computer as a result of a potentially unwanted program, also known as PUP. The main problem with this software is that it shows you suspicious pages, from the likes of Apple Platform Security Alert and others purely for profit. The software’s main idea is to profit from paid ads via pay-per-click and other schemes. The main idea of these apps is to push to you ads via different means as a result of modifying your web browsers. And it is often the case of these ads remaining unverified and unchecked which means that they could eventually lead to dangerous websites, like scams and risky pages.
Read this article to learn how to remove Apple Platform Security Alert from your Mac effectively.
Apple Platform Security Alert Summary
| Name | Apple Platform Security Alert |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by Apple Platform Security Alert
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Apple Platform Security Alert. |
Apple Platform Security Alert – Main Activity
The Apple Platform Security Alert is a page that may appear on your Mac, caused by a potentially unwanted program. The main idea of this software is to show you ads for profit. It could end up on your Mac while pretending to be a legitimate and useful application, likely added on your Mac as a result of software bundling. If so, it may exist in one of the installed steps, concealed in the “Custom” install mode. The main idea of the Apple Platform Security Alert is to lure you into a tech support scam and get you to call a fake tech support number or download dubious program. Other such scam domains that re related to adware for Mac include Iosdfnc.com scam, Your Mac Has Been Blocked by Suspicious Activity and Helpme.net.
In case you see redirects to Apple Platform Security Alert, then it is also likely that you may start see the following types of advertisements:
- Browser pop-up ads.
- Third-party site redirects.
- Ads that show up instead of search results.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Web banners.
- Push promotion pop-ups.
Apple Platform Security Alert may also contain different trackers that may be used to obtain various types of details from your Mac, like cookies, tags, pixels, geo-location trackers, and others. These may be utilized to obtain information about your online browsing activity and you have no way of knowing what happens to this information. Such details that are gathered can be:
- Which pages you have visited.
- Where you have clicked online and what your mouse movements are.
- Sites that are bookmarked.
- Your browsing history.
- Your search history.
If you see ads that lead to different kinds of websites that are from third-parties, just like the Apple Platform Security Alert scam, then chances are the adware pushing those ads on your Mac could also lead to the following risky domains:
- Fraud websites.
- Fake or phishing sites.
- Viruses and other malware.
- Fake tech support scams.
- Fake software download sites.
- Endless redirect schemes.
- Fake surveys.
This is the main reason why this scam is not a good sign for your Mac and steps should be taken towards its full removal.
Remove Apple Platform Security Alert from Your Device
In order for Apple Platform Security Alert to be removed from your Mac, it is important that you remove the software causing redirects to web pages like itself. The main methods to remove it are illustrated in the removal guide that has been posted beneath this article. This guide has been created with the primary idea to help you clean up both your Mac and your browsers. Apple Platform Security Alert should best be removed according to professionals by using advanced anti-malware software. Such software has been created with the primary idea to automatically scan your Mac and get rid of any adware and malware that may be related to it.
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 Platform Security Alert files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Apple Platform Security Alert, 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 Platform Security Alert 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 Platform Security Alert:
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 Platform Security Alert. 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 Platform Security Alert. 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 Platform Security Alert 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 Platform Security Alert. 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 Platform Security Alert – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Apple Platform Security Alert-FAQ
What is Apple Platform Security Alert on your Mac?
The Apple Platform Security Alert 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 Platform Security Alert?
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 Platform Security Alert?
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 Platform Security Alert Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Apple Platform Security Alert 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 Platform Security Alert?
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 Platform Security Alert threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.