Critical Security Warning! Scam (Mac)

What is Critical Security Warning!?

"Critical Security Warning!" is a fake error displayed by a malicious website. Users are redirected to this website by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without consent ("bundling" method). As well as causing redirects, potentially unwanted programs also deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record various information relating to Internet browsing activity.

"Critical Security Warning!" targets only users of Mac OS. This error states that suspicious connection activity has been detected and, therefore, personal information (logins/passwords, banking details, etc.) is at risk and that this problem must be resolved immediately. Users re encouraged to contact 'certified technicians' via a telephone number ("+1-888-225-6662") provided.

They then supposedly receive help in solving the problem, however, as mentioned above, "Critical Security Warning!" is a fake error message and a scam. Cyber criminals attempt to generate revenue by tricking victims into calling and paying for technical support that is not required. You can remove this error simply by closing the web browser.

Be aware that web browsing activity is tracked, since potentially unwanted programs continually gather various data (for example, IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, etc.) that might contain personal details. Criminals share these details with cooperating third parties who misuse private information to generate revenue.

Thus, data tracking might result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Another downside is display of intrusive online advertisements. PUPs employ a "virtual layer" to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements. This enables placement of third party graphical content on any site.

The ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the web browsing experience. In addition, they often redirect to malicious websites and, thus, even accidental clicks can result in a high risk computer infections. Potentially unwanted programs should be uninstalled immediately.

"Critical Security Warning!" is similar to YOUR APPLE COMPUTER HAS BEEN LOCKED, Immediately Call Apple Support, Mac Malware Warning Alert !, and many other fake error messages. All claim that the computer is damaged in some way, however, as with "Critical Security Warning!", these errors are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

They should never be trusted. Potentially unwanted programs often have an identical purpose. By offering various 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than providing any significant value for regular users, PUPs cause unwanted redirects, collect personal data, and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

How did Critical Security Warning! install on my computer?

As mentioned above, PUPs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular applications. Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes. Rushing these procedures and skipping steps often leads to installation of rogue apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely observe each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications. The key to computer safety is caution.

Text presented within Critical Security Warning! pop-up:

****SYSTEM SECURITY AT RISK****

Error Code HT201169

Critical Security Warning!
A serious attack has been detected.
It seems your IP address is being accessed from different locations. A suspicious network is trying to access your logins, Banking details & tracking your internet activity.

Contact Apple certified technicians immediately
at +1-888-225-6662 (TollFree)

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Quick menu:

• What is Critical Security Warning!?
• STEP 1. Remove adware related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove intrusive ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Adware removal:

Remove Critical Security Warning!-related 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.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

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 exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

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 exact 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 correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "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.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the 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 regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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