Mac Security Plus: what it is and how to remove it
Mac Security Plus virus is an unwanted program seeking to misuse users' inability to identify viruses on the system. However, entries detected by this application as malicious should not be removed because they are legitimate or harmless system components.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps checked against Apple's current documentation and the security vendors' reports. We have not run the malware on a Mac. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your Mac is infected.
Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs, and its free scan shows what it finds before you decide anything.
Programs like Mac Security Plus usually arrive in groups; a free scan lists the companions that are easy to miss.
Do it yourself · free Remove Mac Security Plus yourself 4 steps, about 12 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Mac Security Plus: summary
| Distribution | Deceptive websites, fake ads, third-party software |
|---|---|
| Name | Mac Security Plus |
| Type | The potentially unwanted program |
| Category | Mac virus |
| Symptoms | Displays misleading ads, delivers suspicious scan results, pushes its victim into paying for the full version |
| Main dangers | Spending your money on the fake tool, deleting useful system components |
| Removal | Scan the Mac with security software to find the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 6 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Program | Mac Security Plus |
| First seen | 31 January 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Mac Security Plus safe? Why it is flagged
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Mac Security Plus is a fake system optimization tool that seeks to scare its victims by reporting about invented viruses detected
Mac Security Plus virus is an unwanted program seeking to misuse users' inability to identify viruses on the system.
However, entries detected by this application as malicious should not be removed because they are legitimate or harmless system components. By warning its victim about the possible dangers, Mac Security Plus is seeking to mislead its victim into buying its fake license. If you don't want to spend your money on useless software, make sure you stay away from this PUP.
Often, the virus gets into the system without users' consent because it has been actively using bundling to spread around. In addition, this rogue optimization tool displays fake alerts about possible infections and then asks to pay for its full version. Although the app seems legit, don't leave it on your Mac device.
Although MacSecurityPlus has been actively presented as a useful addition to MacOS system, don't get fooled. There are tons of similar system optimization tools spreading on the Internet and seeking to steal users' money. Typically, they have no virus database and malware, which is typically reported, is simple system components. Having in mind that the Mac operating system is quite safe, there is no need to deal with questionable software.
When Mac Security Plus virus infiltrates the system, it firstly adds its files, registry entries and similar components to the system to make sure that it gets launched every time the computer is started. Additionally, the virus starts scanning the system and (what a surprise!) delivers numerous viruses in its scan results. I
The message provided by the PUP contains the following information:
It appears that MacSecurityPlus can even slow down the performance of your device. However, its main aim is to mislead Mac users into thinking that their system is infected and purchasing the full version is the only way to get rid of "viruses." Most likely there are no malicious files on your device, and the only intruder you need to remove is the rogue tool itself.
To make sure that your files are safe, invest in good Mac antivirus capable of disabling viruses before they get into the system. Besides, you should remove Mac Security Plus malware by uninstalling it from Mac or using automatic software capable of fixing your system automatically. However, don't let this tool stay on your computer as you can put your entire system into danger.
If you are looking for a tool for Mac Security Plus removal from Mac, we can recommend using which will repair your system by clicking only one button. However, you can also try to find its entries manually.
Most of them can be found in Library/LaunchAgents and Library/Application Support folders. If you find anything related to this PUP, send them to Trash. Additionally, check your web browser settings and reset them if you find them altered by the virus. Complete the removal by emptying the Trash.
After you finish automatic Mac Security Plus removal, keep in mind that you must start taking appropriate attention to your Mac's security. These computers are not immune to malware, PUPs, and similar infections, no matter how popular the belief that Macs do not have viruses is. Based on this fact, you need to find a good anti-virus tool and run daily or weekly system checks.
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Deceptive ads lead to suspicious installations
When you browse online and get redirected to a suspicious website or your screen gets filled with intrusive advertisements, banners, pop-ups, pay more attention.
If you click on this content, you may automatically download files or programs you don't want.
Additionally, when you install freeware from the internet, you risk getting unwanted products because of software bundling technique that is reported by experts as the main PUP distribution method. If you choose Advanced or Custom options during the installation, you can avoid the infiltration and keep your device secure.
Remember that having Mac OS supporting device is not ensuring that your machine cannot get infected by cyber threats. Keep your program up-to-date using official providers and keep the antivirus program on the system; run a full system scan occasionally.
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Mac Security Plus
- Remove Mac Security Plus from the system.
- The system is infected Your system is infected.
- It's highly recommended to cleanup your system to protect critical information like credit card numbers, etc.
- Unregistered Copy Sorry, the copy of your program is unregistered.
- Register to have an ability to cleanup your system.
How to uninstall Mac Security Plus
How to remove Mac Security Plus from a Mac
Remove the app and what starts it, then check the browsers.
Step 1: Delete apps and downloads you did not intend to install
Open the Applications folder and your Downloads folder. Drag any app you did not install, and any disk image (
.dmg), installer (.pkg) or archive (.zip) that came from Mac Security Plus or a site you do not trust, to the Bin, then empty the Bin.Also check
~/Library/Application Supportfor a folder with the same name as the app you removed.Step 2: Remove unknown login items and background items
Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login and Allow in the Background, switch off or remove anything you do not recognize, especially items whose developer is shown as an unknown name or that appeared on the day you ran the command.
Then open Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder and check
~/Library/LaunchAgents,/Library/LaunchAgentsand /Library/LaunchDaemons for property list (.plist) files you did not add. Drag suspicious ones to the Bin, then restart the Mac.Step 3: Check the browsers for extensions and changed settings
In Safari open Settings > Extensions and General (homepage). In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Firefoxabout:addons.Remove any extension you did not add, and reset the homepage and search engine if they changed. Browsers hold saved passwords and cookies, which is why the password step comes first.
Step 4: Quit what is running that you do not recognize
Open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities, or search for it with Command + Space).
In the CPU or Network tab, look for a process you did not install or whose name is random, select it, click the stop button (the octagon with an X) and choose Quit or Force Quit.
Note the name first: you will look for the same name in the next steps. Malware that comes back after a restart is handled in the next two steps.
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Delete from macOS
Get rid of Mac Security Plus by using the guide given below. Make sure you remove all suspicious entries.
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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Employ reputable software for Mac Security Plus elimination
The best and the easiest way for Mac Security Plus removal is installing reputable Mac anti-virus and running a full system scan.
The full system scan will help you indicate all possible threats, including this rogue software and other unwanted entries. In addition, keep the program on board to protect your computer from future attacks.
If you are willing to remove Mac Security Plus manually, use steps given below. You should also check Library/LaunchAgents and Library/Application Support folders and get rid of PUP-related entries. When all possible intruders are deleted, we also recommend resetting web browsers, especially if they have been displaying unwanted ads after you noticed the infiltration of Mac Security Plus.
Questions about Mac Security Plus
What is Mac Security Plus and why is it on my PC?
Mac Security Plus is a program that was installed on the PC, most likely together with something else you downloaded. Free software sites and many installers add extra programs on setup pages with pre-ticked boxes, so the extra install looks like your choice even though nobody read the page.
Check the install date in Settings, Apps, Installed apps: the program you installed that day is the probable carrier. If you do not need Mac Security Plus, uninstall it. If it belongs to your hardware or to a program you use, search its exact name and publisher first, because drivers and their tools can have unfamiliar names.
Mac Security Plus came back after I uninstalled it. Why?
Something else is reinstalling it. Common causes are a second program from the same publisher, a scheduled task that downloads it again, or a browser extension that keeps prompting for it. Sort Installed apps by install date and uninstall each entry from the same day that you did not choose.
Then open Task Scheduler and look in the Task Scheduler Library for tasks with updater-style names that you do not recognise. Check Startup apps in Task Manager too. If Mac Security Plus still returns, start Windows in Safe Mode, uninstall it there and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan, which looks for loaders that ordinary scans can miss.
Should I call Mac Security Plus malware?
Most security vendors would call it a potentially unwanted program rather than malware. The difference is intent and consent:
- malware hides and harms
- while unwanted programs are installed with a click someone barely noticed
- then do more than expected
The sign reported here, mac Security Plus in the list of installed apps, is typical of the second group. In practice the label matters less than the result.
Whatever it is called, a program you did not choose should go, and the place it came from should be checked for other programs. Microsoft Defender can block this class of software if you switch on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security.
Mac Security Plus will not uninstall. What can I do?
Close it first: in Task Manager, select every process with its name and click End task, and exit its tray icon. Then uninstall it from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. If the uninstaller fails, shows an error or just reopens offers, restart Windows in Safe Mode, where third-party programs do not start, and uninstall from there.
Afterwards, delete its folders in C:\Program Files and %AppData%, remove its scheduled tasks and run a full scan in Windows Security. As a last step, System Restore to a date before the install can help.
Why does Mac Security Plus reinstall itself?
Programs like Mac Security Plus are often installed with an updater or a companion app whose job is to keep them present. When you uninstall the main program, the helper downloads it again at the next scheduled run or restart.
Find the helper by sorting Installed apps by date and by checking Task Scheduler and Services for entries with the same name or publisher. Remove them all, then delete leftover folders. Turning on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security also stops many reinstall attempts.
Mac Security Plus has no uninstall option. What now?
Some unwanted programs leave no entry in Installed apps on purpose. Find the program's files instead: open Task Manager while mac Security Plus in the list of installed apps is visible, right-click the process and choose Open file location. End the process, then look in that folder for an uninstall file.
If there is none, delete the folder after checking that it holds nothing you need. Before deleting, remove the startup entry and any scheduled task that points to it, otherwise it may be recreated. A restart and a full scan in Windows Security finish the job and catch files stored elsewhere.
Will removing Mac Security Plus speed up Windows?
It often helps a little and sometimes a lot, depending on how many programs came in the same bundle. Every unwanted program that starts with Windows adds to boot time and uses memory. The one behind mac Security Plus in the list of installed apps is no exception.
Remove it, check the Startup list for others, restart and compare. If the PC is still slow, look at disk space, Windows updates and the processes at the top of Task Manager. A clean PC should sit almost idle when no programs are open.
Could Mac Security Plus be a legitimate program?
Possibly. Some programs that cause mac Security Plus in the list of installed apps are real products from real companies that simply use aggressive distribution. Check the publisher in Installed apps and the digital signature in the file's Properties.
A known publisher and a program you actually use mean you can keep it and only adjust its settings. An unknown publisher, a program you never opened and no clear purpose mean it should go.
If it came bundled with something else, the decision is easy: you did not choose it, so remove it and keep the program you actually wanted.
How do I stop programs like Mac Security Plus from installing?
Turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings, with both Block apps and Block downloads checked. Download programs from the developer's own site or the Microsoft Store, choose Custom in installers and untick extra offers, and treat large download buttons on file sites as ads.
Apps from the Microsoft Store are checked by Microsoft and uninstall cleanly. Keep real-time protection on, so that bundled offers flagged as unwanted are stopped before they install.
Will Fortect remove Mac Security Plus?
Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs, and its free scan shows what it finds on your Mac before you decide anything.
For Mac Security Plus, follow the plan on this page as well: removing a launch item or an app is done in macOS itself, and a scanner cannot undo what was typed or entered on the infected Mac, such as saved passwords that were copied.
Change your passwords from another device first, and if the page tells you to erase the Mac, a scan is not a substitute. The free scan costs nothing and the full-featured product needs a license.
Sources
- Wired: Malware has a new way to hide on your Mac (read October 7, 2026)
- Macpaw: Popular Mac viruses, malware and security flaws (read October 7, 2026)
- Semvirus: Semvirus (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)