When surfing the internet, you’re exposed to different risks if you’re not using a firewall or an antivirus program. One such risk is scareware, a form of malware that comes in the form of pop-up ads or emails to scare you into downloading a file or visiting infected websites.
Once you complete the targeted action, your browser or computer will likely be infected. When the malware is installed, it can collect your information, serve ads on your browser, or render your Mac unusable.
If you act quickly, you can remove the scareware and prevent further damage. Here is how to remove scareware from your Mac.
Mac Impact of Scareware
While scareware may appear deceptively clever, it doesn’t always succeed in its scam. Rather than being duped into purchasing something, many victims of this malware simply become annoyed and remove the scareware from their Macs.
The success of scareware depends on fear and ignorance, both of which can be countered with careful consideration. If your Mac is working well, there’s no reason to make a purchase just because the scareware suggests it. Avoid this trap! Removing scareware can be a time-consuming task that may require some technical expertise. If you lack experience in manually deleting files from your Mac, it may be wise to enlist the help of a professional for removal.”
Disconnect Your Mac from the Internet
Once you notice your Mac is infected or suspect you have clicked an infected link, disconnect your laptop from the internet. Go to System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Turn Wi-Fi Off. If you’re using ethernet, simply unplug the cable from your Mac.
Most scareware use the internet to collect and send your data to criminals, while others use the internet to spread further on your Mac. Disconnecting from the internet prevents both of these scenarios and makes it easy to remove the scareware.
Inspect Your Activity Monitor
Go to your Activity Monitor to inspect for suspicious and abnormal processes on your Mac. Open Finder and click Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. If you suspect an application is infected or suspicious, select the Application and click “Quit” to end the process.
Once your Mac or application is infected, the scareware takes up your computer resources. In this case, check the CPU tab to identify processes that are running intensively and close them.
Clear Your Browser History and Cache
Scareware can also infect your browser to monitor your browsing activity and capture your login details. So, you might need to reset your browser and clear your cache. Go to the menu bar and select Safari > Clear History > All History > Clear All History.
If you’re using Chrome, click the three dots at the top right corner, select History > Clear Browsing Data, check all the options, and click “Clear Data.” These steps should help to remove captured infected data from your browser.
Run An Antivirus Scan
Get a malware scanner and run deep analysis to clean your Mac. If you had a running antivirus program at the time of the infection, you might need another one — it’s possible that the program didn’t detect the scareware. A good solution should scan your computer in minutes to identify and eliminate threats and suspicious behavior.
Protect Your Mac from Malware
Scareware can infect your Mac if you’re not careful when browsing the web. This can lead to symptoms like slow performance, frequent pop-up ads, unknown browser toolbar or extension, and adult ads that are difficult to close. Apart from these nuisances, the scareware can also collect your data.
Fortunately, you can remove the scareware from your computer and restore your experience and performance. We hope this guide helps you to learn how to remove scareware from your Mac. More importantly, be sure to install a good antimalware program and avoid shady websites.
Summary
Many people falsely believe that their computers are infected with harmful software, which is a result of fear and ignorance. If you’re attempting to remove scareware from your Mac, it’s best to disregard it.
In summary, there are various methods for eliminating scareware from a Mac. It’s worth noting that malware can spread through other means, such as trojan horses. Nonetheless, this article concentrates on removing scareware from a Mac.
If you’ve encountered scareware before, there’s a good possibility it will happen again unless you take the necessary precautions. Always use strong passwords and keep your software updated regularly.
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