Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses (Tutorial) - Virus Removal Guide
Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses Removal Guide
What is Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses?
Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses – scareware which appears on Mac devices only
Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses is a rogue pop-up message which tries to scare Mac users. This suspicious notification usually appears on questionable third-party websites or is displayed by a potentially unwanted program that installed on the user's computer system unknowingly. Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses pop-up scam is very similar to other scareware that appears on Mac machines. For example, Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses is one of them. These unpleasant applications are created by developers to fulfill their beneficial expectations. The user which experiences such pop-up receives a dubious message which claims that the Mac OS X system is infected with 4 viruses and fixing is crucial. An “OK” button is planted in the pop-up and once clicked it opens another window which is named “Security Recommendations for Macs”.
| Name | Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses |
|---|---|
| Type | Scam |
| Sub-type | PUP/Adware |
| Target | Mac OS X machines |
| Purpose | To scare users and convince them to install rogue tools |
| Similarities | This app is similar to Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses |
| Distribution | Unsafe sites, bundled software, etc. |
| Detection tools | FortectIntego software |
Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses might try to trick you into scanning the computer system with rogue security tools or installing questionable programs such as fake system optimization tools that “ensure the safety of your personal data”, “will fix all system-related issues”, “optimize your computer”, “delete malicious components”, etc.
Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses is considered to be scareware[1] due to its threatening position. Once the user is infected with the potentially unwanted program or he/she enters a dubious site which launches the pop-up message, this type of note appears:
ATTENTION!
Your Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses and Your system is damaged, You must clean the system from viruses, as quick as possible! Do not ignore this warning!
Once you receive the Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses pop-up message, make sure that you do not accidentally or intentionally click on the “OK” button. Rather than that, close the window which is displaying the rogue scamming note and continue looking for any signs of the scam on your Mac OS X computer.
If the scareware shows only on a particular website, it is okay. No potentially unwanted application should be bothering you. However, if you keep seeing the dubious pop-up message frequently, receiving numerous pop-up ads that promote rogue security software,[2] experiencing frequent redirecting, you need to remove Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses from your Mac.
Before you complete the Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses removal from your computer system and its components, you should use a PUP detection tool first. Try a program such as FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner to detect all hidden software and adware-related content. Make sure to view browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Explorer, and Safari also.
Potentially unwanted applications show up after unsafe downloads
According to cybersecurity specialists,[3] potentially unwanted programs are sneaky apps which infiltrate the system without the user even noticing. However, this mostly happens to careless users who skip downloading steps, install software from third-party sources, like visiting unprotected websites, pay to less attention to their browsing activities, etc.
If you are keen on protecting yourself and your computer system from adware,[4] scareware, and other potentially unwanted applications, you should know a few things:
- by visiting rogue and protection-lacking websites you increase the risk of getting infected by suspicious apps;
- choosing Recommended or Quick installation modes allow rogue content to infiltrate your system unnoticed;
- lacking automatical protection your computer system becomes more vulnerable to various infections.
Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses scam can be removed with automatical tools
Scamming and scareware programs might appear only on suspicious pages, however, in some cases, these potential threats can be the cause of a potentially unwanted program. If you have been experiencing suspicious pop-ups frequently, make sure that you take fast actions and remove Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses from your Mac computer system.
If you think that you are skilled enough to perform the Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses removal without any help of automatical software, you can use our below-provides step-by-step guide which will help you throughout the manual removal process. Do not forget to check web browsers for adware-related signs too.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses. Follow these steps
Delete from macOS
These instructions will help you to get rid of the potentially unwanted application and all its hidden components from your Mac OS X computer system:
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Get rid of all suspicious-looking content from your Microsoft Edge web browser. If help is needed, take a look at these instructing steps:
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
You can clean and refresh your Mozilla Firefox web browser with the help of these instructing steps:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
If the rogue application has managed to include some questionable content in your Google Chrome web browser, use these instructions to get rid of all adware-related components:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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
Spotting unknown browser-extensions, add-ons, or plug-ins in your Safari browser app is definitely not a good thing. You can erase all these components by using this helping guide:
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Mac OS X is infected (4) by viruses registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Paul Gil. What Exactly Is 'Scareware'?. Lifewire.com. Independent news website.
- ^ Rogue Security Software. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ SemVirus.pt. SemVirus. Spyware news page.
- ^ Margaret Rouse. Adware. Search Security. Tech Target.