Remove Mac Security from Mac computer

Easy steps to delete Mac Security

Mac Security is an adware type application or unwanted programs that try to misuse user’s inability to identify viruses on the computer. In reality, this application does not detect any real threats and remove them. On the contrary, it opens various untrustworthy and potentially malicious websites. Therefore, this type of app should not be downloaded and installed. However, most of the people download and install it unintentionally. Hence, this app is categorized as potentially unwanted application.

Moreover, apps like Mac Security is designed by cyber criminal in such a way to look like that it can scan PC for threats and remove them. According to expert, it is designed to promote unreliable websites. This app opens at least one adult website and number of other shady sites. It is also mention that this app detects fake threats and does not allow you to remove them until license key is purchased or registered.

In other words, this app is designed to trick visitors into paying money for its registration by generating fake scan results. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to download and install apps like this or any other similar app. Furthermore, this type of application is also distributed along with other potentially unwanted programs like as adware types and browser hijacker. Due to this, users are advised to eliminate any installed PUA as soon as possible from the browser/PC.

Distribution of Mac Security:

Usually, potentially unwanted programs occur when users click on deceptive advertisements or when software developers use bundling method. Bundling is a dubious marketing method that are designed in such a way to deceive users into downloading and installing unwanted applications along with other regular software. Information about PUAs is usually hidden behind custom or advanced options or other similar sections of regular installation setups.

Basically, information about such apps is not revealed properly. In such case, many people download and install software without checking and changing available settings and thus allow for included PUAs to be downloaded and installed as well. As we discussed above, that unwanted downloads and installation of applications can also be caused by clicking of deceptive ads. Those adverts are designed to execute malicious scripts when users click on those ads.

How to avoid installation of unwanted programs?

To prevent having installed PUAs, users are advised to download software only for official and trustworthy sources. It is advised not to use free file hosting sites, peer to peer networks (like eMule, torrent clients etc), unofficial pages, third party downloader’s/installers etc to do so as tools like this commonly offer dubious content. During installation, it is recommended to analyze download or installation setups that have settings like custom/advanced or included some checkboxes.

Furthermore, intrusive ads that appear on questionable pages should not be clicked as they are designed either to open other harmful sites or even cause downloads or installations of unwanted software. If users encounter any unwanted or unknown extensions, then users are advised to remove programs of this kind immediately. If your PC is already infected with PUAs like Mac Security, then users are recommended to use Combo Cleaner that has ability to eliminate them as early as possible.

Short description

Name: Mac Security

Type: PUP, PUA, Mac malware, Mac virus

Supposed functionality: Removal of malware

Symptoms: A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about ‘found issues’. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors.

Distribution methods: Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, suspicious links, malicious websites, torrent file downloads.

Damage: slow down computer performance, display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software).

Removal: Both manual as well as automatic guide have been prescribed below under this post.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Mac Security

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 Mac Security 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 Mac Security 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 Mac Security. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.