Potential threats detected (Virus Removal Instructions) - Tech Support Scam

Potential threats detected Removal Guide

What is Potential threats detected?

Potential threats detected is a scam alert targeting Mac OS users

Potential threats detected pop-up scam

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.

Potential threats detected rogue alertPotential threats detected is a misleading pop-up message that is distributed for the sole purpose - to trick Mac users into downloading suspicious programs.

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.

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.

Offer
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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Potential threats detected. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

The following guide explains how to get rid of adware infection from Mac:

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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. Reset MS Edge

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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 Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. 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. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

If Safari keeps redirecting you to a domain, which shows a “Potential threats detected” alert, eliminate adware from the system and then initiate the following steps to restore Safari's settings.

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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 Potential threats detected 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

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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