How to remove 'Mac OS Support Alert' from Mac?
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The current Mac operating system is macOS, originally named 'Mac OS X' until 2012 and then 'OS X' until 2016. Developed between 1997 and 2001 after Apple's purchase of NeXT, Mac OS X brought an entirely new architecture based on NeXTSTEP, a Unix system, that eliminated many of the technical challenges that the classic Mac OS faced. The 'classic' Mac OS is the original Macintosh operating system that was introduced in 1984 alongside the first Macintosh and remained in primary use on Macs until the introduction of Mac OS X in 2001. Apple released the original Macintosh on January 24, 1984; its early system software was partially based on the Lisa OS and the Xerox PARC Alto computer, which former Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The maximum version of Mac OS X, OS X, or macOS supported by each G3 and later Mac follows. For complete specs on a particular system, click the name of the Mac. For all Macs that are compatible with a specifc maximum supported version of Mac OS X - courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort - click the OS of interest.
What is 'Mac OS Support Alert'?
Many users encounter the fake 'Mac OS Support Alert' virus alert message when visiting deceptive, untrustworthy websites. People generally arrive at these websites inadvertently - they are redirected to them by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that are installed without direct user permission. In addition to redirects to untrustworthy websites, PUAs record personal and browsing-related data, and deliver intrusive ads.
According to the scammers responsible for the 'Mac OS Support Alert' fake virus alert, the user's computer/computer registration key is blocked. They claim that this happened for one of the following reasons: the OS registration key is illegal; some installed software is illegal/pirated; the computer is proliferating viruses, or; the system is hacked and used from an undefined location. As stated in the 'Mac OS Support Alert' pop-up window, the computer is blocked for the user's security. To reactivate/unlock the Mac computer, users are encouraged to contact the Apple support (helpline). The website itself contains statements suggesting that the computer is infected with three viruses that might harm stored data and track financial activities. To prevent any further damage and unblock the system, users must supposedly contact Apple security/support via the telephone number '+1-855-792-1999' provided. These statements regarding virus infections and blocked computers are simply attempts to trick people into contacting scammers and purchasing their products and services. When contacted, the scammers claim to be 'technicians' or Apple support members. They encourage users to purchase various products and services that, according to scammers, will remove viruses, unblock computers, and so on. We strongly recommend that you ignore the 'Mac OS Support Alert' virus alert. Close this website and do not open it again. If you cannot close it normally, use Activity Monitor and terminate the entire browser process. Another way to close it is to simply restart your computer. In any case, do not restore the closed session the next time you open the browser, since this will open an identical/deceptive website or the website that led you there in the first place.
Potentially unwanted applications that cause redirects to these deceptive websites also tend to deliver intrusive advertisements - coupons, banners, surveys, and other similar ads. These can be very annoying and affect the overall browsing experience, since they are usually displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content of visited websites. Furthermore, clicking these ads might lead to other untrustworthy websites or execute scripts that download and install other PUAs. Another negative aspect of PUAs is that they are often designed to collect browsing-related data such as IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, URLs of visited websites, and so on. PUAs sometimes record personal/sensitive data as well. PUAs developers share the collected data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Thus, having a data tracking app installed might lead to privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft.
| Name | 'Mac OS Support Alert' virus |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are many similar fake virus alerts and error messages online. Some examples are Spyware Were Found On Your Mac, Error FXX000, and This Mac Computer Is BLOCKED. They might differ slightly, however, the purpose of most of these scam messages is to trick people into purchasing useless software, unnecessary services, etc. All potentially unwanted applications are mostly similar - developers promote these apps as useful tools, but these are only attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users into downloading/installing them.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Some unwanted apps have official websites, however, most people install them through intrusive advertisements or when developers use a deceptive marketing method called 'bundling'. Bundling is stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications with regular third party software that users download from the internet. Generally, PUAs are hidden in 'Advanced'/'Custom and other similar settings/options of the installation processes. Therefore, careless behaviour (such as skipped installation steps) often causes inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications or other problems relating to browsing safety and privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid downloading software from untrustworthy sources, using third party downloaders, torrents, or other similar channels. Use official (and trustworthy) websites and direct links. Do not skip the software installation steps - check 'Advanced', 'Custom', 'Manual' and other similar options or settings of the installation dialogs. Deselect unwanted applications and only then finish the installation. If you encounter intrusive ads that redirect you to dubious websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on), check your browser for any unwanted extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins and uninstall them immediately. Also check the list of installed programs on your computer. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in 'Mac OS Support Alert' scam:
VIRUS ALERT FROM Apple
This computer is BLOCKED
DO not close this window and restart your computer
Your computer's registration key is Blocked
Why we blocked your computer?
This Mac OS's registration is illegal.
This Mac OS is using pirated software.
This Mac OS is sending virus over the internet.
This Mac OS is hacked or used from undefined location.
We have blocked this computer for your security.
Contact Apple helpline to reactivate your computer.
Mac is infected with (3) Viruses.
Mac OS Support Alert
Your System Detected Some Unusual Activity
It might harm your computer data and track your financial activities.
Please report this activity to +1-855-792-1999
Appearance of 'Mac OS Support Alert' scam (GIF):
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for MacBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to eliminate 'Mac OS Support Alert' pop-up scam using Combo Cleaner:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove potentially unwanted applications from your 'Applications' folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select 'Applications'. In the applications folder, look for 'MPlayerX', 'NicePlayer', or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Remove 'mac os support alert' virus related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder.. Slimey and wombat mac os.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder.. bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the 'LaunchAgents' folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - 'installmac.AppRemoval.plist', 'myppes.download.plist', 'mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist', 'kuklorest.update.plist', etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder.. bar, type: /Library/Application Support The perfect dream boy mac os.
In the 'Application Support' folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, 'MplayerX' or 'NicePlayer', and move these folders to the Trash.
Mac Os Catalina
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the 'LaunchAgents' folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - 'installmac.AppRemoval.plist', 'myppes.download.plist', 'mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist', 'kuklorest.update.plist', etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder.. bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the 'LaunchDaemons' folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example 'com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist', 'com.myppes.net-preferences.plist', 'com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist', 'com.avickUpd.plist', etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click 'Start Combo Scan' button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays 'no threats found' - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
'Mac OS Support Alert' virus removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove 'mac os support alert' virus related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select 'Safari' and click 'Preferences..'.
In the preferences window, select 'Extensions' and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the 'Uninstall' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove 'mac os support alert' virus related Mozilla Firefox add-ons: Colorful wars mac os.
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the 'Open Menu' (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose 'Add-ons'.
Choose the 'Extensions' tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Remove' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove 'mac os support alert' virus related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the 'Chrome menu' (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose 'More Tools' and select 'Extensions'.
In the 'Extensions' window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Trash' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Over time, your Mac probably accumulates a lot of cruft. Old applications you no longer use, data you have no use for, a desktop full of icons (only four of which you actually ever use)…you know what I mean. With so many people working from home lately, the problem has only gotten worse.
Now is as good a time as any to tidy up your Mac, freeing up storage space and probably CPU cycles and RAM in the process. Here are a few tips to make quick work of your Mac 'spring cleaning.'
Optimize Storage
Open the Storage Management app, either by using Spotlight (Command-space) or by clicking the Apple logo in the upper left of the menu bar, choosing About This Mac, clicking the Storage tab, then Manage.
In the Recommendations tab you'll see a number of useful options, like Store in iCloud and Empty Trash Automatically. The Optimize Storage solution will get rid of things like old TV shows you've already watched and old email attachments when you're low on storage space.
Take a look at your Applications and Documents
While you're in the Storage Management app, click on the Applications tab in the left column. You can see all your installed applications here and sort them by size, easily deleting apps you haven't used in ages.
Then, click on Documents in the left tab. There are several sections here, like Large Files and Unsupported Apps, that are worth perusing. Big library files (for apps like Lightroom or Final Cut Pro) are likely to show up here, and you might not want to mess with them. But you may have old large files and documents, or apps that no longer even work on your version of macOS, that you can safely remove.
Get your desktop under control
If your desktop is littered with icons, you should probably tidy things up a bit. Right-click (two-finger tap on a trackpad) any open space and choose Clean Up to get things arranged neatly, or Clean Up By to sort them as well. Consider the Use Stacks feature to automatically stack-up files of the same type into a single icon. Just click on that icon to open the stack. This can really tidy up your desktop!
Try DaisyDisk
Power users that really want to clean out their Mac's storage may want to check out a third party app like DaisyDisk ($9.99). It's a simple and clear way to see everything on your Mac, or any other attached storage device or drive. It can do things like dig into the mysterious 'Other' category and help you clear out what you don't need.
It may seem unnecessary to pay money for an app that just helps you delete stuff from your Mac's storage, but there's a lot of value in disk analyzers like this. It can really be eye-opening to see exactly what's filling up your Mac's SSD.
