What Is “Viruses Found Mac”?
The alert named “Viruses Found” is a deceptive message that might appear as a pop-up when you’re using a browser on your Mac. This misleading message tries to convince you that your Mac is in danger and suggests you contact a bogus tech support hotline. This false alert often surfaces because of unwanted browser behavior, which can be attributed to adware or other types of malicious software on your Mac. These problematic apps frequently push advertisements that redirect you to misleading alerts or untrustworthy online destinations.
To address the “Viruses Found” notification, please refer to the guidance provided at this article’s conclusion.
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Viruses Found Mac Details
| Name | Viruses Found Mac as reported on Apple Community forums. |
| Type | Mac Scam / Unwanted Software |
| Short Description | A page that aims to get you to call scammers’ fake tech support number. |
| Symptoms | You get a redirect to a web page, that aims to convince you to call a fake tech support number and scares you that you have viruses. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. Because of a browser redirect. |
| Detection Tool |
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How Did I Get It?
This misleading alert can be attributed to a harmful tactic or software named ASK YOU. Such scare tactics are designed to make individuals believe there’s an issue with their device or online accounts. They are lured to call a phony hotline, press on a hazardous link, or even install malevolent applications. Here’s how it might have been introduced to your device:
- By accessing tainted websites: Certain websites might run harmful operations that present these alerts. Even genuine sites might display these if they’ve been hacked.
- By engaging with risky links: Malicious links in emails or online chats can launch these alerts. They’re typical strategies in deceitful online schemes.
- Through intrusive software or apps: Sometimes these are installed inadvertently with other apps and can display disruptive alerts or modify your browsing experience to risky domains.
- Using rogue browser tools or extensions: Some might show these types of notifications or modify how your browser operates.
Other similar deceptive notifications exist, like the iCloud Hacked warning. Should you come across one, it’s wise to refrain from interacting and instead, shut down the browser. To ensure safety, think about employing a trusted Mac security application to locate and remove any lurking threats.
What Does “Viruses Found” Pop-up Do?
This deceitful notification is just one of several that aim at Mac owners:
- (3) Malware Found on Your iPhone
- Windows Alerts of (3) Malware Found
- OS Sierra Shows (3) Malware Detected
- Alerts of (4) Malware on Your Windows Machine
All these deceptive alerts have a shared intent: to trick you into dialing sham tech helplines or getting false security utilities. Such sham tools might assert they’ve identified several threats on your Mac. Their end game is to alarm you to a point where you’ll either pay the deceptive hotline or acquire a sham software subscription.
Is It a Virus?
Encountering the “Viruses Found” message might be indicative of intrusive software on your Mac, like adware or hijackers. Such software often sneaks in during the installation of other programs.
Adware could present various ads as you explore online:
- Advertisement banners
- Search ads
- Hyperlinked ad text
- Emerging ads
- Unexpected browser detours
However, the risk doesn’t stop with the “Viruses Found” warning. Connected ads can steer you to risky domains, such as:
- Deceptive survey platforms
- Phishing domains seeking user credentials
- Scam platforms
- Websites hosting malware
Immediate action to secure your Mac is advised.
How to Remove “Viruses Found”
To rid your Mac of the “Viruses Found” hoax, it’s crucial to identify and remove the underlying cause. Below is a guideline to assist you. If you’re unsure, consider utilizing a recognized Mac security application to scan and eradicate any threats. These tools can efficiently locate and remove such risks, ensuring a safer browsing experience.
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 Viruses Found Mac files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Viruses Found Mac, 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 Viruses Found Mac 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 Viruses Found Mac:
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 Viruses Found Mac. 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 Viruses Found Mac. 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 Viruses Found Mac 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 Viruses Found Mac. 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 Viruses Found Mac – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Viruses Found Mac-FAQ
What is Viruses Found Mac on your Mac?
The Viruses Found Mac 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 Viruses Found Mac?
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 Viruses Found Mac?
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 Viruses Found Mac Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Viruses Found Mac 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 Viruses Found Mac?
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 Viruses Found Mac threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.