The Bankworm virus is a detection displayed in fake security alerts used to foist Advanced Mac Cleaner

The Bankworm virus is a name of a non-existent cyber infection, which is used as an intimidation strategy to make Mac OS X users download Advanced Mac Cleaner tool. Typically, people start encountering fake “Download Required” pop-up messages after the installation of freeware,[1] but they can also accidentally encounter it when visiting untrustworthy domains. The alert notifies the user of the targeted system about a high-risk Bankworm infection, which supposedly has already infected /os/apps/worm.icv. At the bottom of the pop-up, people see a Remove virus now button, which redirects to Advanced Mac Cleaner download website.
| Name | Bankworm |
|---|---|
| Classification | Malware |
| Sub-category | Scam caused by adware |
| Related programs | The pop-up is used to promote Advanced Mac Cleaner. Several instances of MacKeeper downloads were also reported |
| Symptoms | Web browser keeps displaying a rogue pop-ups claiming that the system is infected and urging to download “useful” software. Excessive amount of pop-ups and more frequent redirects are also side effects of malware infection. |
| Elimination | We recommend dealing with malware using an automatic software utility. For that, try downloading FortectIntego and running a full system scan with it. |
The Bankworm virus is an invented cyber infection, which is used as a marketing tool for Advanced Mac Cleaner. Most of the AV vendors classify it as PUP and have already included it into a virus database. It has been found that this questionable optimization utility spreads bundled with freeware and displays bogus scan results to make people purchase its license. Some people reported this problem as Bankworm MacKeeper virus, so it might be that MacKeeper is also involved in this shady marketing campaign.
Besides, its developers (PCVARK) uses aggressive advertising techniques that are not acceptable. The Bankworm Apple scam is one of them. The company tries to intimidate its users claiming that their PCs are infected with the Bankworm virus, which is supposedly dangerous due to the leakage of sensitive information.
According to people's reports, these bogus alerts are usually generated by the following domains:
- apple.com-securitywarning.com
- http://tech01geek.com
- http://www.ios-security-alert.com
- http://www.mac-system-alerts.com
The URL address may differ each time. However, all of them mimics Apple design and impersonates the company to prove credibility. The Bankworm pop-up alert does not feature Apple-related logos, but it can sometimes be accompanied by such and similar pop-up alerts that freeze web browser's screen:
***Apple Security Warning***
Browser Blocked for Security Reasons.
Apple has detected that a porn virus has infected your system and trying to steal pictures, data, and social networking passwords. This is a serious hacking issue. Rectify it immediately as soon as possible.
ERROR CODE: QFR50000RT11C
Tell this error to Customer service representative.
Your Remote incoming connections are currently in the open state.
In addition to rogue security alerts foisting Advanced Mac Cleaner tool, the adware that triggers it may also initiate additional activities, such as:
- It may display an excessive amount of commercial advertisements;
- Cause web browser's slowdowns and freezes;
- Track web browsing activities with the help of cookies;[2]
- Increase web browser's vulnerabilities and try to download other PUPs;
- Initiate continuous web browser's redirects to suspicious or even malicious website.
In a nutshell, do not fall for believing in that Bankworm virus is trying to steal your credentials because there's no such infection at all. You keep seeing those alerts due to aggressive marketing strategies used by PCVARK team. Therefore, you should scan your Mac with FortectIntego or another professional anti-virus to remove Bankworm virus pop-ups from your Mac.
Bankworm removal can be initiated manually as well. For this purpose, you should open Mac's library and eliminate all suspicious entries. However, since the exact program that causes the Bankworm scam has not been identified yet, you may face difficulties in malware elimination. That's why we recommend using a security tool.

Malware dissemination peculiarities
Malware, namely adware and browser hijacker, are typically distributed in a software package. In other words, they are attacked by free programs as “optional components” and marked by default. Such distribution strategy is legitimate and officially dubbed as “bundling.”
But despite being legitimate, it's classified as unfair as it does not disclose additional components in a proper way. The installation setup automatically permits installation of all browser add-ons, toolbars, extensions, etc. if PC's owner selects Quick or Recommended installation option. That's why unwanted programs are such a frequent “guests” in people's PCs.
To prevent your PC from being contaminated by PUPs, cybersecurity experts from Dieviren.de[3] recommend people to opt for the Advance or Custom freeware installation option. This way, you will be able to monitor the installation process and deselect the components that are spreading alongside.
A guide on how to remove Bankworm scam on Mac
Bankworm virus pop-up is fake, so don't fall into panic. Nevertheless, it's emergence indicates the fact that your Mac is infected with malware, known as adware. Thus, you should take corresponding actions and get rid of it to stop rogue alerts on your web browser.
There are two ways to remove Bankworm virus found the message on Macbook and other Mac devices. You can either run a scan with a professional security tool or follow the removal tutorial provided down below this article.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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