Potential threats detected is a scam alert targeting Mac OS users

Potential threats detected is a pop-up notification that alerts Mac OS X users about critical system's status and urges to download a security tool to fix it. It claims that the system is heavily damaged and indicates the harm in percentage. Potential threats detected pop-up typically points out a Trojan infection,[1] though adware, keyloggers, spyware, and other cyber threats might be listed. Do not fall for downloading the promoted application because the Potential threats detected is a scam[2] that seeks to foist useless or even dangerous application.
| Name | “Potential threats detected” |
|---|---|
| Classification | Adware |
| Sub-category | Tech-support-scam |
| Symptoms | Web browser keeps redirecting to a website saying “Potential threats detected” |
| OS targeted | Mac OS X |
| Distribution | Bundling, suspicious websites |
While cybersecurity community is used to scam alerts targeting Windows OS, Mac system is more and more frequently contaminated by tech-support alerts. “MAC Malware Warning Alert,” “Mac Detected TAPSNAKE infection,” and “Your Mac Might Be Infected” are just a few examples of the scam alerts targeting Mac users.
Potential threats detected alert might be triggered by two factors, i.e., adware infection or landing on an infected website. In case of the ad-supported app being the case, web browser's settings are modified in a way to redirect users to Potential threats detected website regularly. Usually, the scam locks the screen, so that the user has only two options – to click on the “Free scan now” button or force close the web browser.
The warning looks quite professional and might trick less experienced users into believing that the Mac OS system has been infected. The Potential threats detected virus says:
Potential threats detected!
Your Mac is heavily damaged (34,56%). Personal and banking information is at risk.
To avoid more damage click on 'San now' immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!. Update your PC and eliminate potential threats.
Free Scan Now
The tech-support-scam developers claim security software like Norton and McAfee to be affiliates without authorization. Dieviren.de[3] cybersecurity researchers notify that such claims are false. Reputable security developers to not spread pop-up alerts online or otherwise foist their software downloads.
By clicking on the “Free scan now” button, the unsuspecting Mac's user permits to download and install third-party software, which may eventually turn out to be a potentially unwanted program or virus.
Therefore, in case your web browser started initiating redirects to the scam website, download FortectIntego and run a full system scan with it to remove Potential threats detected virus.
Potential threats detected removal could also be initiated manually. For this purpose, you should check the list of recently installed apps and eliminate those you are not familiar with. If you are not sure which ones have to be eliminated, initiate online research on them. After that, check Mac's libraries to related files.

Adware distributors rely on bundling
Adware-type and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) may be distributed directly, i.e. they may have official websites or may even be spread on sources like Google Play Store. Nonetheless, PUP developers most frequently rely on bundling, meaning that unwanted programs are attached to other freeware as optional downloads.
By selecting Quick or Basic installation setups, device users inadvertently give permission to download each additional component, be it a toolbar or add-on.
IT specialists remind Mac users to be extremely careful with freeware and do not rush the installation. Before downloading one, make a research on it, read reviews, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy. Besides, always opt for Custom or Advanced installation to unpack the bundle.
Last, but not least, do not trust pop-ups that emerge during web browsing and report the status of your device. There's no such tool as a “Free online scanner.” The same applies to software update prompts. If you believe that your system is at risk, download updates from trusted sources or scan the system with a reputable security tool.
Get rid of Potential threats detected pop-up
Potential threats detected virus is more intrusive than dangerous. However, it may trigger continuous web browser's freezes and trick people into downloading useless or even dangerous tools, such as rogue anti-spyware or system's optimizer.
To prevent unwanted downloads, remove Potential threats detected scam from your web browser using a reputable anti-malware program.
Those opting for manual Potential threats detected removal could follow step-by-step instructions that are provided down below but don't forget that the smallest component left intact may reinstall the adware and repeatedly hijack the web browser.
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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