Are you dealing with intrusive pop-ups or redirects stemming from Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live? Be careful as you are dealing with online scammers promoting the Cleanup My Mac program, which is considered a PUP (potentially unwanted program).
The Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam attempts to convince you that you have viruses on your Mac and is promoting a rogue tool to fix the issues. However, the information presented on this page is not trustworthy and may put your device at risk.
If you are among the victims of this scam, we advise you to read thoroughly this article and learn more about the additional issues the scam may be causing.
Threat Summary
| Name | Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam |
| Type | Technical Support Scam, Rogue Program |
| Short Description | A message that suddenly interrupts your browsing to alert you about a virus that endangers the security of your device. |
| Symptoms | A dialog box may appear in the browser. It may restrict your access to other web pages, also claiming that your system and personal data are at risk. |
| Distribution Method | Software bundles, Infected web pages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Combo Cleaner
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam. |
Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live – Infection Mechanism
The scam messages coming from Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live could be caused by an infected website you have recently visited. Such websites may contain malicious code that causes redirects to a number of suspicious websites each time you load them in the browser.
Another distribution channel that may be spreading the Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live Mac scam is the so-called bundling method, where legitimate software includes third-party utilities, often classified as PUPs, for monetization purposes. Also note that it is possible that scammers may download supposedly useful apps with the purpose to compromise their installers by injecting undisclosed “extras” there. As a result of such an activity, the installation of a desired program may end up with installing a potentially unwanted program.
The PUP that may be causing Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam to appear is most likely ad-supported, also known as adware. Adware, which can be anything from a browser add-on or extension to a PUP, compromises commonly used web browsers by displaying plenty of advertisements, redirects and push notifications.
In the case of Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam messages, a specific program may be promoted as a solution to removing supposedly detected viruses, for example Cleanup My Mac.
Cleanup My Mac is as promoted a system optimizer, designed to detect system issues and offer a solution for their cleanup. However, since this app often lands on Mac devices without users’ knowledge, it is classified as a PUP. Furthermore, the program is considered to be a rogue system optimizer, as it detects non-existent issues in an attempt to trick users into purchasing its full version. This scamming method is also known as “scareware”.
In a nutshell, Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live is a nagging scam that presents misleading information in an attempt to obtain sensitive information about you and your device. It may appear during browsing sessions in the form of a dialog box. Once on the screen, it could prevent you from accessing opened web pages and loading new ones.
Remove Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live Scam
In order to remove Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam and all files that may be causing it to appear in your browser, you should complete all steps listed in the guide underneath. It presents both manual and automatic removal instructions that combined will help you to fully remove this scam.
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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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam, 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam:
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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam. 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam. 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam. 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam-FAQ
What is Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam on your Mac?
The Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam?
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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam?
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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Apple.com-mac-optimizing.live scam 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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam?
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.com-mac-optimizing.live scam threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.