What Is Apple.com-shield-guard.live?
What is Apple.com-shield-guard.live page? How does Apple.com-shield-guard.live work? Is Apple.com-shield-guard.live a virus or a scam? How to remove Apple.com-shield-guard.live from your Mac?
Apple.com-shield-guard.live is a page that affects Mac devices in an attempt to make users believe that their Mac systems are infected with viruses. In the event that you see Apple.com-shield-guard.live pop-up in your browser you should ignore it as the presented information is false. This page is a typical scam that promotes an unwanted application called Cleanup My Mac.
If you want to remove this pop-up scam from your Mac and stop seeing it, we suggest that you follow the removal steps presented in this Apple.com-shield-guard.live guide.
Apple.com-shield-guard.live Details
| Name | Apple.com-shield-guard.live Scam |
| Type | Scam, PUP |
| Short Description | Questionable website that hijacks your preferred web browser and presents misleading infromation. |
| Symptoms | Aims to trick victims into downloading rogue software for Mac by claiming their device has a virus. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Corrupted Websites |
| Detection Tool |
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Apple.com-shield-guard.live Pop-up – Spread and Impact
The domain Apple.com-shield-guard.live is a website which fraudsters use for the spread of a rogue application called Cleanup My Mac. The website tends to affect popular web browsers (Chrome Safari, Firefox, etc.) used on Mac devices. Once the Apple.com-shield-guard.live loads in the browser, it displays the following message:
The text message depicted in the image reads:
Your system is infected with (3) viruses!
Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses. Our security check found traces of 2 malware and 1 phishing/spyware.
Immediate removal required!
The immediate removal of the viruses is required to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mac with OS x 10.12.
Personal and banking information are at risk.
To avoid more damage click on ‘Scan Now‘ immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!
1 minute and 57 seconds remaining before damage is permanent.
Soon after you see the above message, the Apple.com-shield-guard.live generates a pop-up that presents additional information:
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
We have detected a Trojan virus (e.tre456_worm_osx) on your Mac.
Press OK to begin the repair process.
We know that this information is scary but beware Apple.com-shield-guard.live pop-up is a typical scam. Just like e.tre456_worm_osx Mac scam and Advancemactools.live redirect virus the Apple.com-shield-guard.live pop-up scam loads in the browser with the goal to make you believe that you need to download and purchase a hoax system cleaner. So be advised to avoid interacting with the content presented by this website.
As of the reason why your preferred web browser keeps redirecting you to Apple.com-shield-guard.live scamming website, it is most likely a [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/remove-pup-mac/”] potentially unwanted program that has managed to land on your Mac against your will.
Such programs are usually spread via the installers of various free and supposedly useful applications. Unfortunately, while installing a desired app that has a compromised installer you could easily miss the presence of added extras and unnoticeably agree with their installation. Happily, in some cases, you could prevent unwanted programs from accessing your Mac by reviewing the Advanced/Custom configuration setup step. Oftentimes, this step presents details that may help you notice the PUP and opt out its installation on time.
When such a program is running on your Mac, you may also register significant slowdowns. They usually occur as a result of many annoying online advertisements that are generated in the affected browser. Similar to Apple.com-shield-guard.live scam, these ads are likely to display misleading offers that land on poorly secured or deceitful websites.
How to Remove Apple.com-shield-guard.live Pop-up Scam on Mac
In order to remove Apple.com-shield-guard.live pop-up along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. In the guide below you will find all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of all present undesired programs and improve macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. Have in mind that the names of all present infection files associated with this browser infection may differ the name of the redirect.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave a comment. We will be glad to get in touch with you.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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.com-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.live Scam – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Apple.com-shield-guard.live Scam-FAQ
What is Apple.com-shield-guard.live Scam on your Mac?
The Apple.com-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.live Scam Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Apple.com-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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-shield-guard.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.