Remove security-protect.org Adware From Mac

security-protect.org Virus: Manual Uninstall Steps

security-protect.org is a precarious website which promotes multiple scams. At the research time, it was running a scheme that target iPhone users. Nonetheless, the webpage can also be accessed on other Apple devices. According to this scam, visitors’ iPhones have been contaminated with viruses. They are also instructed to download and install recommended software which will supposedly terminate the malware. However, these security alerts are fake and you should trust them. The sole motive of the scammers is to deceive Mac users into installing potentially unwanted programs like adware or browser hijackers, or fake anti-viruses.

security-protect.org Shows Fake Security Alerts:

Upon landing on security-protect.org, visitors are presented with fake alert notifications claiming that their iPhones have been infected by four viruses. The infection can completely damage the SIM card, block the mobile phone, and delete or corrupt important files, if not removed from the machine immediately. Visitors are then provided steps on how to acquire the advertised product, which is vital to terminate the non-existence viruses. We highly emphasize that the details provided by the web page are false. There is no such site which can detect viruses or issues present on a PC system, hence, never trust such claims.

Users often visit phishing sites like security-protect.org due to potentially unwanted programs that are already installed on their computers. This adware-type application creates issues within the browser but can also interfere with some background processes. Therefore, the system becomes slower than usual, and users might also experience sole crashes or general lag. The intruder is known for delivering various commercial contents to screens to control the traffic online. This is a common method used by PUPs, so the contaminated devices are working for the revenue generation that is the main goal of advertisers and PUP sponsors.

security-protect.org virus manages to find the way on computer systems without users’ approval and affects their overall online experience. It acts as any other PUP that relies on collecting browser-based information and other private data that can be useful for advertisers and other content creators. You should consider this site and related apps as dangerous and get rid of them as soon as possible. This nasty adware can trigger issues like hard drive crash, software failure, boot errors, application malfunctioning and so on. And thus, a quick security-protect.org removal is highly recommended.

How Does This PUP Intrude Your System?

The threat that affects your time online and browser activities most likely got installed without your notice and knowledge. It occurs behind your back because software bundling practice is executed. When you install a freeware using the Quick options after downloading it from unreliable sites, you end up with installing these unwanted threats on your work-station. There are multiple pages and services which allow these PUPs to spread with other intruders and trigger issues regarding the advertising content and redirects.

Fortunately, you can control such situations by choosing an official program provider, a trustworthy download site, and avoiding torrents, pirating, or p2p platforms. Moreover, you need to always select the Advanced or Custom installation options every time you download or install anything on the machine. This way, you can see what objects get installed automatically and deselect any unwanted pieces. In case your Mac is already infected with this adware, you must remove security-protect.org virus from the PC without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to security-protect.org

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 security-protect.org 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 security-protect.org 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 security-protect.org. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.