About Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac)
Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) is a fake virus alert, classified as a tech-support scam. The point of this scam is to trick users into calling fake tech-support numbers. Professional scammers on the other end of the line would then try to trick users into paying hundreds of dollars for repair services they do not need nor would actually receive.
When you get redirected to the website displaying this scam, you will get a couple of alerts claiming that your computer is infected with some kind of malware. Supposedly, access to the computer was blocked because of the malware. To unblock the computer and supposedly remove the malware, you are asked to call the displayed phone number to get Apple’s customer support. In reality, if you were to call the shown phone number, you would be connected to scammers who would put on a show of fixing your computer. They would request remote access to your computer and if you grant it to them, they would pretend to fix your computer while potentially stealing your files. They may also set a password for your computer. At the end of the supposed repair session, scammers would demand that you pay hundreds of dollars for the services you received. If they were able to set a password for your device, they may not give you the password if you refuse to pay.
Keep in mind that your browser will never display legitimate virus alerts. Furthermore, your computer will never be blocked just because it’s infected with malware. What’s more, legitimate alerts about anything will never display phone numbers for support. A displayed phone number is always a sign of a tech-support scam.
Fake virus alerts can be triggered by an adware infection
Users are usually redirected either by the sites they visit or by adware. In most cases, it’s the former. Certain sites host questionable ads, hence why they’re generally considered to be high-risk. Oftentimes, clicking on anything when visiting those sites could trigger a redirect. Websites that have pornographic or pirated content are often guilty of this. If you are redirected to fake virus alerts by the websites you visit, installing a reliable adblocker program would solve this issue.
However, if you are redirected by adware on your computer, the redirects would happen regularly no matter what site you visit. Infections like adware and browser hijackers usually install using a sneaky installation method that does not require explicit permission from users. The method is known as software bundling and it’s quite controversial. Programs that use it are generally regarded as potential threats.
Freeware that can be downloaded from third-party download sites usually comes with extra offers. Those extra offers are usually adware, browser hijackers, and similar infections. The extra offers are added in a way that allows them to install alongside automatically without users needing to explicitly permit it. This is why the method is controversial. The offers are technically optional but they need to be manually deselected to stop them from installing. But the reason so many users end up installing the offers is that the offers are hidden. Fortunately, if you learn to install free software correctly, you will be able to stop unwanted installations quite easily.
When you install free programs, you need to use Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default. The installation window will say that you should use Default but if you follow this advice, all added offers will be permitted to install. However, if you opt for Advanced settings, not only will the offers be made visible, but you will also have the option to deselect all of them. It’s best to always deselect all offers because otherwise, you will fill your computer with all kinds of junk that will only take up space on your computer. And it’s much easier to uncheck a couple of boxes than it is to later have to uninstall them.
Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) alert removal
The most likely reason why you’re seeing these fake virus alerts is that you visit high-risk websites without an adblocker program. Having an adblocker program enabled when visiting certain websites can help prevent random redirects. But while you’re probably redirected by the sites you visit, you should nonetheless scan your computer with anti-virus software in case the adware is what’s causing the issue. If the anti-virus program detects and removes adware, it would also remove Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) redirects caused by it.
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Quick Menu
Step 1. Uninstall Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) and related programs.
Remove Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Windows 8
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.
Uninstall Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Windows 7
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.
Delete Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Windows XP
Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.
Remove Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Mac OS X
Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
Step 2. Delete Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from your browsers
Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer
- Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
- Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
- Leave the window.
Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:
- Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
- In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.
Reset your browser
- Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
- Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
- Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
- Tap Close and leave your browser.
- If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.
Erase Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Google Chrome
- Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
- Choose Extensions.
- Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
- If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.
Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus
- Press on menu icon and click Settings.
- Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
- In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
- Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
Reset your browser
- If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
- Open menu and navigate to Settings.
- Press Reset button at the end of the page.
- Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
- If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.
Remove Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Mozilla Firefox
- In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
- Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.
Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:
- Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
- On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
- Press OK to save these changes.
Reset your browser
- Open the menu and tap Help button.
- Select Troubleshooting Information.
- Press Refresh Firefox.
- In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
- If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.
Uninstall Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) from Safari (Mac OS X)
- Access the menu.
- Pick Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions Tab.
- Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable Apple Defender Security Center POP-UP Scam (Mac) and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
- Restart Safari.
Reset your browser
- Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
- Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
- If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.
Site Disclaimer
2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.
The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.