A phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender 'anti-virus' software to solve the issue.
This “anti-virus” software is malware (i.e. malicious software). Its ultimate goal is to get the user's credit card information which may be used for fraudulent purposes. The most common names for this malware are MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.
Apple helps you keep your Mac secure with software updates. The best way to keep your Mac secure is to run the latest software. When new updates are available, macOS sends you a notification — or you can opt in to have updates installed automatically when your Mac is not in use. MacOS checks for new updates every day, so it’s easy to always have the latest and safest version. Jun 10, 2016 A phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender 'anti-virus' software to solve the issue.
Apple released a free software update (Security Update 2011-003) that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants.
The Resolution section below also provides step-by-step instructions on how to avoid or manually remove this malware. Resolution
How to avoid installing this malware
If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using. If a normal attempt at quitting the browser doesn’t work, then Force Quit the browser.
In some cases, your browser may automatically download and launch the installer for this malicious software. If this happens, cancel the installation process; do not enter your administrator password. Delete the installer immediately using the steps below.
How to remove this malware
If the malware has been installed, we recommend the following actions: Photos app on mac not syncing with iphone.
Removal steps
Malware also installs a login item in your account in System Preferences. Mac mute application app download. Removal of the login item is not necessary, but you can remove it by following the steps below.
Use the steps in the “How to avoid installing this malware” section above to remove the installer from the download location.
Note: Apple provides security updates for the Mac exclusively through Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads site. User should exercise caution any time they are asked to enter sensitive personal information online.
If you’ve got one of the new Macbook Air or Macbook Pro laptops with a solid-state drive (SSD) and only 128G of storage space, you may know what it’s like to not have space for a large download to your Mac. Luckily, Mac cleaner apps can help you make the most of your precious hard disk space while optimizing performance. But how can you tell if a Mac cleaner app is the real deal?
It’s a good question to ask, especially since the most popular Mac viruses have names like Advanced Mac Cleaner, MacSecurity and MacShield. These sound like apps that will clean your Mac right up, but in fact they’ll make matters worse. You need to be careful when downloading Mac cleaner apps and do your research before installing any cleaner apps.
Research Cleaner Apps Before You Install Them
This piece of advice isn’t just true for Mac cleaner apps; it’s a good idea no matter what kind of apps you’re installing. Most apps you find in the App Store are safe, so that should be your first stop when choosing the best Mac cleaner app for your needs. But wait — don’t click “install” just yet.
Is Mac-apps.com Legit Site
You need to do some research of your own before choosing an app, even from the App Store. That’s because bad apps do occasionally get through Apple’s vetting process; even if an app isn’t downright malicious, that doesn’t mean that users have been happy with it. Reviews will let you know if an app is malicious and should further give you some information about the app’s quality.
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It’s a good idea to do some research on the developer, too. An app from a trusted developer like Trend Micro is probably fine, but even apps from smaller developers can be perfectly legitimate. Look up the developers on social media, and try to get a feel for their reputation in the industry. Check out their website. Does it look fishy? If there’s anything bothering you about the app, don’t be afraid to reach out to the company via email. A reputable developer won’t hesitate to participate in a dialogue and address your concerns.
Look into the App’s Privacy Policy and Permissions
Any Mac cleaner app that you install on your computer will have access to your most sensitive personal information. Hackers use malicious apps to get their hands on valuable data that can then be sold on the dark web. Read the app’s privacy policy, or at least use a service like Polisis that will read it for you. Know what data is being collected and what permissions the app needs. Consider whether that app needs the permissions it’s asking for and whether you’re comfortable giving them.
Look for Security Logos
When you’re purchasing or downloading an app, make sure you’re doing so on a secure webpage. This will help you ensure that the web store you’re shopping in has a secure server. You should also look for security-approved logos on the page, especially when you’re entering your payment information. Look for VeriSign, Better Business Bureau, or Norton Secured logos.
Trust Your Intuition
Fortunately, there’s not such a paucity of Mac cleaner apps available that you need to feel forced into installing a specific one. If anything about a particular app seems off to you or you’re getting a gut feeling that something’s wrong with the app, simply don’t download it.
![]() Use Reliable Security SoftwareIs The Wish App Legit
It’s a myth that Macs don’t get viruses; they definitely do. There might be fewer viruses written for Macs, but they’re out there, and if you get one, you’re going to be in big trouble. Installing reliable security software will help you weed out any dangerous apps that make it past your careful scrutiny.
Legit Apps That Pay
A Mac cleaner app can make it easy to rid your Mac of unwanted large files, old apps you no longer use, Mail downloads and more, but there are some Mac cleaner apps that can make your Mac worse instead of better. Exercise a healthy amount of caution when vetting Mac cleaner apps, and you’ll be sure to find a program that will meet your needs and more.
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