Remove Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam from Mac

Proper guide to delete Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam

Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam is fake scam error message that is often used by the cyber criminal that displayed on tech support scam website. This message states that your computer is highly infected by the lots of viruses that are originating from corrupted websites. To remove the threats, users are instructed to follow the provided steps. This scam usually target iPhone users yet it can also be accessed through other Apple devices as well.

Threat summary

Name: Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam

Type: Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus

Fake Claim: Scam either claims that users’ devices are infected or that they require a VPN

Promoted Unwanted Application: Various dubious applications

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

Damage: Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.

Symptoms: Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, and you are redirected to dubious websites.

Removal: Both manual as well as automatic removal instructions have been described below under this article.

Details about Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam

The main goal of these schemes is to promote various untrustworthy applications however other scam versions are also possible. Actually, such type of messages often seen into the computer due to installed potentially unwanted applications or through redirects caused by intrusive adverts. The origin of the threats is repeated and the viruses are identified as “browser Trojans”. In order to protect WhatsApp message, Facebook account, photos and others users are advised to install “mobile security application”.

Another version informs users that they must update their VPN software in order to safely continue watching content. Remember that there are no any webpage available that can detect threats present on the system. Thus, users are highly advised not to trust on these schemes or install apps promoted through them. Trusting on Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam and other deceptive sites might cause problems like severe privacy issues, browsing safety, financial losses and so on.

As we discussed above, that such scam sites entered through redirects caused by PUAs. It is able to show lots of annoying ads into various forms such as pop-ups, banners, surveys, discounts and other similar adverts. Once clicked, those ads redirect you to dangerous sites and some can even execute scripts to download or install software. Browser hijacker modifies browser settings and prohibits users to access them in order to promote fake search engine.

What’s more, most PUAs track browsing activity and collect personal information extracted from it such as IP addresses, geo-locations and other details. Later, developers share all collected data with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate income. Therefore, presence of unwanted software on computer poses a risk to both system and user safety. So, it is highly recommended to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions immediately upon detection.

How did PUAs intrude?

Some PUAs have their own official download pages which are often promoted by deceptive ones. These applications are also distributed through the installation setups of other free programs. This dubious technique for the distribution of software is called bundling. What’s developers do is that they hide information about bundled apps behind custom or advance settings of download/installation processes because they know that most of the users do not pay enough attention during installation and also skip most of the steps. Doing so, increase the risk of unknowingly allowing bundled applications into the system. Despite this, potentially unwanted applications also proliferate through the above mentioned intrusive ads that are designed to execute scripts to make secretly downloads/installation (it happens when such ads are clicked by the user).

Remove Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam

Complete removal instructions have been described below. Go through it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. You can use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate PUAs like Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam.

Text presented in the pop-up displayed by one of the scam variants run on security-update-required[.]com:

Warning!
Apple device is infected with viruses picked up while surfing recent corrupted sites. Tap OK and follow the instructions to protect your Apple devices.

Text presented in this page:

Your Apple iPhone is severely damaged by 19 viruses!

 

We have detected that your Browser is (59%) DAMAGED by BROWSER TROJAN VIRUSES picked up while surfing recent corrupted sites.

 

Immediately install mobile security application or sensitive data like your Facebook account, WhatsApp messages, photos and private applications will be infected and stolen.
0 minute 42 seconds

 

Install    Cancel

Remove Files and Folders Related to Security-update-required.com 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 Security-update-required.com 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 Security-update-required.com 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 Security-update-required.com POP-UP Scam. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.