What Is System Is Infected Pop-up?
The System Is Infected Mac pop-up is a malicious advertisement that appears on Mac computers. It attempts to mislead users into installing potentially unwanted programs or other malware. It is important to note that the pop-up is not an indicator of a virus or malicious software, but a scam to get users to download and install useless or malicious programs.
It is important to use caution and never click on any pop-ups that appear on your Mac as they could potentially harm your computer.
What Is a Pop-Up Scam?
Such pop-ups are associated with tech support scammers, also known as fake tech support. Scammers may attempt to deceive you by pretending to be from a reputable tech company, such as Microsoft. Once your computer is compromised by a malware related to the scam, you will see a fake pop-up alert most likely prompting you to call a specific number or take another actions. It is not recommended to follow any of these instructions, as they will further harm your computer and personal/banking information.
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System Is Infected – Details
| Name | System Is Infected |
| Type | Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and the displaying of different unwanted contents and ads. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down in terms of performance. Auto download of other PUPs may start. |
| Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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Why Do I See System Is Infected On My Mac?
System Infected pop-ups on Macs are becoming more and more common due to the increasing number of malicious software, viruses, and other malicious programs that are designed to attack Macs. The most common reason why you may see a system is infected message on your Mac is because it has been infected with a virus or other malicious program or as a result of malvertising.
System Is Infected Virus – How Did I Get Infected
This pop-up is likely the result of a virus that has infected your system. Unfortunately, there are various ways to become infected by a virus, including downloading malicious software, app bundling, clicking on malicious links, or even visiting infected websites.
System Is Infected Mac – What Does It Do?
System Is Infected scareware virus pop-up is a type of malicious software that is designed to trick unsuspecting users into believing their computer has been infected with a virus.
The pop-up will usually display a fake warning message and prompt users to click on a link to purchase a fake security program to remove the supposed infection. In reality, the pop-up is only a scam and the security program that is promoted has no ability to detect or remove any virus or malware. In some cases, the fake security program may even contain malicious code that can further damage a user’s computer. It is important to recognize this type of scam and avoid clicking on any links or purchasing any programs that are promoted in the pop-up.
This pop-up may be a sign of a browser hijacker, designed to change your home page, new tab and default search engine.
Such software may show the following types of ads on your device:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive push notifications.
Is System Is Infected a Mac Virus?
No, the ‘System Is Infected’ scam pop-up is not a Mac virus. It is a malicious website, likely caused by adware that tries to trick users into downloading malicious software or subscribing to unwanted services.
It is important to remember that legitimate antivirus software will not display such alerts. To avoid being scammed, users should not click on any links in the pop-up or provide any personal information. The best way to avoid this scam is to close the pop-up and never return to the website.
Can System Is Infected Be Dangerous?
Yes, the “System Is Infected” scam pop-up for Mac can be dangerous. The scam is designed to trick users into downloading malicious software or revealing personal information. If a user falls for the scam, they may be at risk of having their personal information stolen or their computer infected with malware or via cookies. It is important to be vigilant when it comes to these types of scams and never download any software or provide personal information.
This threat may contain tracking objects, which can be used to obtain information of different types, even including personally identifiable such:
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your mouse movements.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
System Is Infected pop-up may also lead to websites,that lack HTTPS or SSL, automatically classifying it as a danger.
It can also lead to dangerous websites, like:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
What To Do If Your Mac Has System Is Infected?
If you encounter a “System Is Infected” scam pop-up on your Mac, the most important thing to do is to avoid clicking any links or buttons on the pop-up. Doing so could result in installing malicious software or giving scammers access to your personal information. Instead, force quit the browser, and then run a full system scan with a reliable anti-malware software. Lastly, if the pop-up continues to appear, you can reset your browser’s settings to their original defaults.
How to Protect Your Mac from System Is Infected Pop-Up?
To protect your device from pop-ups, like System Is Infected, our main recommendation is to follow the tips below:
- Make sure System Is Infected is fully removed using professional software.
- Change all your passwords from a safe device.
- Enable two-factor logins.
- Call your bank to change all credit card information if you use your Mac for online payments.
- Change your Wi-Fi password.
- Install a reputable anti-malware protection app on all your devices.
- Do not download apps from unknown sources.
How to Remove System Is Infected Pop-up from Mac?
Removing the fake “System Is Infected” virus from a Mac requires a few steps. First, it is important to verify that the alert is in fact a scam. This can be done by conducting an Internet search for the warning message. Once the alert is verified as a scam, you should immediately close the browser window. Finally, you should run an anti-malware scan to make sure no malicious files have been installed on the computer. Taking these steps should remove the fake “System Is Infected” virus from the 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 System Is Infected files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as System Is Infected, 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 System Is Infected 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 System Is Infected:
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 System Is Infected. 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 System Is Infected. 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 System Is Infected 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 System Is Infected. 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 System Is Infected – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
System Is Infected-FAQ
What is System Is Infected on your Mac?
The System Is Infected 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 System Is Infected?
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 System Is Infected?
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 System Is Infected Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this System Is Infected 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 System Is Infected?
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 System Is Infected threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.