How to remove “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up scam

What is “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up scam

Apple Security Found Some Infected Files pop-up scam is a deceptive tactic employed by cybercriminals to trick unsuspecting Mac users into believing their systems have been compromised. This fraudulent message typically claims that infected files have been detected, urging users to take immediate action by calling a provided support number. Such scams thrive on fear and urgency, aiming to manipulate individuals into divulging personal information or downloading malicious software. The appearance of this pop-up often results from visiting unreliable websites, clicking on misleading advertisements, or falling victim to phishing emails. If users engage with the scam, they risk not only losing sensitive data but also potentially allowing hackers to gain remote access to their devices. The consequences can be severe, including financial loss, identity theft, and further system vulnerabilities. Recognizing these scams and understanding their implications is crucial for maintaining cybersecurity and protecting personal information.

Why do I see “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up continuously?

The “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up is a deceptive scam that often targets Mac users through web browsers. This fraudulent message typically appears when users inadvertently visit malicious or compromised websites that employ aggressive advertising tactics, such as misleading pop-ups or rogue ads. Scammers utilize these fake alerts to instill fear and urgency, prompting users to either call a bogus tech support number or click on malicious links that could lead to further exploitations. The goal is to trick individuals into divulging personal information, downloading malware, or purchasing unnecessary services. Additionally, adware may play a role by injecting such pop-ups into browsers, often resulting in a frustrating browsing experience. To avoid encountering these scams, users should maintain a cautious approach to online browsing, employ reputable security software, and steer clear of dubious websites.

Remove “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up manually for free

Remove suspicious applications from MacOS

To start removing “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up you should uninstall unwanted programs from Applications in MacOS. Malware can be present by different names. It should uninstall correctly, however, we recommend you to use CleanMyMac to clean leftover items after uninstalling. Here are instructions for Mac.

Remove suspicious applications from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. Find unknown or suspicious applications.
3. Drag icons of suspicious applications from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall apps related to “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” in MacOS

If you can’t uninstall suspicious apps from MacOS using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag suspicious applications from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with suspicious applications.
4. Click Delete button.

Disable push notifications from suspicious websites in browsers in MacOS

Remove suspicious websites, allowed to show push-notifications in Safari

1. Open Safari, and in the top menu click Safari, choose Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, click on Websites tab.
3. On the left side, choose Notifications. You will see the list of websites and their settings for showing notifications.
4. Find suspicious ones in the list and click Remove button.

Remove suspicious websites, allowed to show push-notifications in Google Chrome

1. Go to Google Chrome settings, by clicking 3-dots icon in the top-right corner and choosing Settings.
2. On the left side choose Privacy and security menu.
3. Under opened Privacy and security tab, choose Site Settings.
4. Scroll down to Permissions section and click on Notifications (with the bell icon).
5. Go to the bottom list of sites named Allowed to send notifications.
6. Find suspicious ones in the list and click 3-dots icon near it. Click Remove button to delete the website permission.

Remove suspicious websites, allowed to show push-notifications in Mozilla Firefox

1. Go to Mozilla Firefox options, by clicking 3-bars icon in the top-right corner and choosing Settings.
2. On the left panel choose Privacy & Security menu.
3. Scroll down to Permissions section.
4. Near Notifications click Settings… button.
5. Find suspicious ones in the list and click Remove Website to remove it.
6. Click Save Changes button to confirm the action.

Remove malicious add-ons from your browsers

Uninstalling apps related to “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It sometimes has a browser extension and it may still be active in Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove “”Apple Security Found Some Infected Files related extensions from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find suspicious extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find suspicious or unwanted extension.
4. Click the Remove button to remove them.
5. Also remove other suspicious extensions from the list.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Find suspicious or unwanted extension.
4. Click three-dots icon near it and choose Remove in the menu.
5. In opened dialog window click Remove button to confirm the action.
6. Remove all suspicious extensions from the list.

How to block ads and pop-ups, like “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files”

Malicious push-notifications, in most cases, are caused by a program installed on your PC or an add-on installed in browsers. However, sometimes it can appear on a clean computer when visiting a malicious website, using an advertising script. Also, apps that generate “Apple Security Found Some Infected Files” pop-up are themselves installed from other pop-ups. To protect your Mac and browsers from phishing websites, pop-up ads, banners, malicious scripts it is recommended to use AdGuard. Download free trial here:

Download AdGuard for Mac