MacSecurityPlus Virus (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove MacSecurityPlus from Mac?
What is MacSecurityPlus?
MacSecurityPlus is an adware-type application that people usually download and install unintentionally. Once installed, it tracks (records) users' browsing activity and displays various pop-ups ads. It also prevents users from closing the Safari and Google Chrome browsers - it reopens them when they are closed. We strongly recommend that you uninstall this application immediately.
When MacSecurityPlus is installed, it displays a fake system window stating that the Mac computer is low on memory and suggests users free-up memory by closing opened/running applications. The pop-up window hides another window beneath it, a system window in which the MacSecurityPlus app requests permission to control the Google Chrome or Safari browser. This is to gain access to documents and data stored on the browser and perform various actions using it. By closing the previous pop-up window, people are tricked into clicking the "OK" button on the hidden window and involuntarily giving permission for MacSecurityPlus to control the browser. It also displays these windows when users try to delete it. We have provided instructions about how to remove this adware-type app below. Other problems with having apps such as MacSecurityPlus installed are display of pop-ups ads and tracking of users' browsing activity. Typically, ads displayed by adware are annoying and conceal underlying content of visited websites. People who click them are usually redirected to various untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites. Some of these ads might be designed to run scripts that download and install even more unwanted apps. Furthermore, apps such as MacSecurityPlus collect IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocation and other browsing-related data. It is very likely that developers share all gathered information with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Note that some of these people might be cyber criminals.
| Name | Ads by MacSecurityPlus |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names (MacSecurityPlus.app) | Avast (MacOS:MaxOfferDeal-C [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.12302), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.MaxOfferDeal.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Geonei.al), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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. |
Adware-type apps are often presented as 'useful', however, when people download and install them, they start to experience various problems such as information tracking, pop-up ads, and so on. Having these apps installed often leads to unwanted websites and rogue installations. Therefore, remove all adware-type and other PUAs immediately.
How did MacSecurityPlus install on my computer?
People install unwanted apps (including adware) through intrusive advertisements or when software developers use the "bundling" method. Bundling is a deceptive marketing method to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted applications with other, regular software. PUAs are usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections of regular software set-ups. Information about the inclusion of PUAs is not properly disclosed. Furthermore, many people download and install software without changing/checking available setup options, thereby unintentionally allowing PUAs to also be installed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To avoid having PUAs installed, download software from official and trustworthy sources an avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrents, and other similar channels/tools. Check all "Advanced", Custom" and other settings that are available in the software setup. Inspect all checkboxes (especially those ticked by default) and dismiss offers to download or install potentially unwanted applications. Do not trust intrusive ads - once clicked they can redirect to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. If you experience these ads and redirects, check for new and unwanted plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions installed on your browser and remove them immediately. If your computer is already infected with MacSecurityPlus, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Fake system pop-up window displayed by MacSecurityPlus adware:
System window that is hidden beneath the fake system pop-up window:
IMPORTANT NOTE!
To completely remove MacSecurityPlus from your Mac, apply these two steps (if you have the Combo Cleaner app installed, you can skip the first step):
STEP 1: Select the "Go" option on the Menu bar and click "Go to Folder...". Copy and paste this path "/Users/Test/Library/Application Support/.dir/MacSecurityPlus.app/Contents/MacOS/MacSecurityPlus" and click "Go". Find the "MacSecurityPlus" executable file and delete it. Then open Activity Monitor and find and kill the "MacSecurityPlus" process.
STEP 2: Go to the "/Users/test/Library/Application Support/.dir/" folder by using the "Go to Folder" function. Delete "MacSecurityApp.app" and the two "AppleScript_ChromeLog..." files.
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 Mac
By 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:
- What is MacSecurityPlus?
- STEP 1. Remove MacSecurityPlus related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove MacSecurityPlus ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove MacSecurityPlus adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove MacSecurityPlus ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove MacSecurityPlus adware using Combo Cleaner:
MacSecurityPlus adware removal:
Remove MacSecurityPlus-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 ads by macsecurityplus 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 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 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.
Ads by MacSecurityPlus removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by macsecurityplus 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 ads by macsecurityplus related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
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 ads by macsecurityplus 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.
Outstanding!