Remove Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam from Mac PC

Simple steps to delete Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam

Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam is a scam displayed on rogue page. It states that the device is infected with malware, viruses etc and encounters the users to remove them using some application. Typically, it tricks people into downloading and installing various questionable applications. Users do not visit on such pages intentionally, they get opened via deceptive ads, installed potentially unwanted apps or by other dubious pages. Thus, you should not trust on such apps and must ignore the message.

The Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam displaying pages disguised itself as well known software companies such as Apple, Microsoft. It states that computer has been infected with Trojan that might cause damage to banking password, email, Facebook credentials, pictures, sensitive data, apps, documents and so on. In order to remove such viruses users are instructed to call on the provided number. Once contacted, scammers behind this trick user into paying some money for unnecessary software.

In one way or another, users are instructed not to call on the provided number, none of these pages can be trusted. As we mentioned earlier in the introduction, such pages are promoted via various potentially unwanted apps. They can be designed to generate advertisements in various forms that are later used to promote untrustworthy pages or even leads into unwanted downloads/installations. Apart from this, PUAs collect users browsing related data that could be shared to potent cyber criminals who misuse them to generate illicit revenue.

Text in the main pop-up window:

Apple Platform Security

** ACCESS TO THIS PC HAS BEEN BLOCKED FOR SECURITY REASONS **

Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Trojan Spyware. The following data has been compromised.

> Email Credential
> Banking Passwords
> Facebook Login
> Pictures & Documents

Apple Platform Security has found potentially unwanted Adware on this device that can steal your passwords, online identity, financial information, personal files, pictures or documents.

You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone.

Call Apple Support immediately to report this threat, prevent identity theft and unlock access to this device.

Closing this window will put your personal information at risk and lead to a suspension of your Mac Registration.

Call Apple Support: +1-888-308-5141 (Toll Free)

[Don’t Allow] [Allow]

Text in the pop-up window that appears on top of the main pop-up:

macOS Security

Apple Secrity Alert – Error Code: #0x83d47d
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Mac Support: +1-888-308-5141

Threat Detected – Trojan Spyware
Apps: Ads.financetrack(1).exe

[Run Anyway] [Back to Safety]

How did PUAs install on my PC?

Usually, the PUAs gets downloaded and installed into your PC using several deceptive methods. It mostly intrudes through deceptive ads that execute certain scripts or the setups of other, mainly free programs. This distribution method is known as software bundling which is later used to trick people downloading and installing unwanted apps  by including them into the set-ups as “additional offers”. Usually, it offers you to download PUAs that are available in settings of custom, advance and other similar sections. Users who download and install programs without changing and checking aforementioned settings, often inadvertently agree  to download or install apps that are included in the setups. So, to avoid unnecessary apps from being downloaded it is required to be careful while downloading and installing any apps.

Remove Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam

Complete removal guide of this nasty threat have been described below under this article. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. If you are novice user, then we suggest our user to use reliable antivirus removal tool that can remove Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam and all installed PUAs soon from the Mac OS.

Quick Glance

Name: Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam

Threat Type: Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus

Fake Claim: A computer has been infected with Trojan, spyware, adware

Disguise: Official Apple page

Symptoms: Mac speed become slower than normal, fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan.

Distribution methods: Compromised websites, free software installers, torrent file downloads, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.

Damage: Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.

Removal: To eliminate possible malware infections and all installed PUAs, our security researchers recommend scanning your computer with Combo Cleaner.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to Apple Platform Security POP-UP Scam. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.