Stop getting scammed by apple.com-scan-mac.xyz

How to remove "apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz" from Mac?

What is "apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz"?

Apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz is a scam website, created for the promotion of the Cleanup My Mac application. This site functions by alerting users of fake threats it has detected. However, it should be emphasized that any viruses it finds are imaginary. It is strongly advised to never trust such sites, and refrain from download/installing suggested software. It is also noteworthy, that any apps such webpages offer are likely to be fraudulent and therefore nonoperational. Most visitors to apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz, happen upon it accidentally. It is mostly accessed through rogue redirects caused by PUAs (potentially unwanted applications) already present on users' Mac operating systems.

Once accessed, the first thing apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz displays is a pop-up window, alerting users of a detected trojan virus (e.tre456_worm_osx) on their system. The background page displays a list of other issues found: two malwares and one phishing/spyware. Additionally, it shows a countdown 'til the system damage becomes permanent and tells that personal and banking data is endangered. It urges users to take immediate action against said threats. The "Scan Now" button initiates a fake scan that detects three viruses (named: Tapsnake, CronDNS and Dubfishicv) and lists infected files. If the "REMOVE VIRUSES NOW" button is clicked, it downloads the maccleaner.pkg file. Said file and others similar to it - are known proliferators (spreaders) of unwanted applications. Downloading and installing this file is expressly advised against, as any apps it installs are likely to be fake and nonfunctional. The same extends to Cleanup My Mac - the advertised cleaner and Mac Cleanup Pro, Mac Speedup Pro, MacOptimizer, as well as many others. These applications are considered to be PUAs, require to be purchased (ask for payment to be activated) and are liable to be nonoperational.

All PUAs are designed for maximum legitimacy and sport relatively innocuous looks. They offer wide varieties of "practical" and "advantageous" features, further luring users into installing them. However, it must be said, that these features rarely work as advertised and most cannot operate at all. The only goal that PUAs have is to generate revenue for their developers; to users they have no genuine value. Instead of working as promised, they cause redirects to sale-based, unreliable and malicious websites; hijack browsers; deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns (pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, etc.) and some can even gather sensitive information. By monitoring browsing activity data-tracking applications can gather personal information (IP address, geolocation and real-life user identity details). This data is then sold to third parties and may end up being used for criminal purposes. To summarize, PUAs can cause various system and browser invasions/infection, and lead to severe privacy issues (even culminate in identity theft). To ensure device and user safety, all dubious applications must be removed instantly upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	apple.com-scan-mac.xyz pop-up
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.
Fake Claim	The website performs a fake system scan and displays results of supposedly existing viruses/errors that must be eliminated.
Promoted Unwanted Application	Cleanup My Mac
Serving IP Address	94.237.52.84
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.

Apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz is practically identical to apple.com-mac-optimizer.icu, apple.com-shield-guard.live, apple.com-shield.live and shares similarities with many others. Most scam websites are used to promote one fake application or another. They trick users into downloading/installing their offered content by frightening them with various warnings of detected threats and existing vulnerabilities. The products they promote are intended to fix the imaginary issues, however it is highly unlikely that any of them have any abilities that they advertise.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed by users themselves or without their consent/knowledge. Some undesirable applications have "official" websites, which usually promote them as free software. Said apps can also invade devices through install packs/bundles. "Bundling" is a deceptive marketing technique, by which ordinary programs are packed together with unwanted content. By rushing through the download/installation setups, users can miss the presence of malignant additions and unknowingly allow them onto their devices. Intrusive adverts, once clicked, can execute scripts to make rogue downloads/installs of PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Only verified sources should be used for downloading, preferably direct download links. It is ill-advised to use third party downloaders, as they are more likely to present bundled content. Installation recommendations include: exploring terms and possible options, using "Custom/Advanced" settings and declining to download/install additional applications and/or features. It should be known, that intrusive advertisements typically look completely appropriate and arouse no immediate suspicion. However, their illegitimacy can be verified by the unreliable websites they redirect to (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and similar pages). Should such ads/redirects be encountered, checking the system and removing all dubious apps and/or browser extensions/plug-ins is highly recommended. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text in the pop-up window:

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

We have detected a trojan virus (e.tre456_worm_osx) on your Mac.

Press OK to begin the repair process.

Screenshot of the background page:

Text in this page:

Your system is infected with 3 viruses! Tuesday, August 13, 2019 5:20 PM

Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses. Our security check found traces of 2 malware and 1 phishing/spyware. System damage: 28.1% - Immediate removal required!

The immediate removal of the viruses is required to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mac with MacOS 10.14 Mojave.

Personal and banking information is at risk.

To avoid more damage click on 'Scan Now' immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!
4 minute and 28 seconds remaining before damage is permanent.

Scan Now

Screenshot of fake scan results:

Text in this page:

DOWNLOAD REQUIRED
Your Mac is heavily damaged! (33.2%)
Please download the Advanced Mac Cleaner application to remove 3 Viruses from your Mac.
VIRUS INFORMATION

Virus Name: Tapsnake; CronDNS; Dubfishicv
Risk: HIGH
Infected Files: /os/apps/hidden/os-component/X/snake.icv; /os/local/conf/keyboard/retype.icv...
REMOVE VIRUSES NOW
VIRUS REMOVAL

Application: Advanced Mac Cleaner
Rating: 9.9/10
Price: Free

Appearance of "apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz" scam (GIF):

Screenshot of the installation setup for Cleanup My Mac:

Screenshot of the Cleanup My Mac potentially unwanted app:

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 "apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz"?
• 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 remove potentially unwanted applications promoted via apple.com-scan-mac[.]xyz scam website 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.

Remove apple.com-scan-mac.xyz pop-up 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.

apple.com-scan-mac.xyz pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove apple.com-scan-mac.xyz pop-up 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 apple.com-scan-mac.xyz pop-up 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 apple.com-scan-mac.xyz pop-up 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.

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