The company who developed this PUP is tied to a range of unwanted apps, and is also known to include various ads in their products to promote other software they have developed. Potentially Unwanted Programs Such As Advanced Mac CleanerĪdvanced Mac Cleaner is a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The scam is trying to obtain the victim’s Mac credentials, which also puts at risk all the information stored on the device. In the case of the recently detected “ Apple wants to make changes” scam, users are asked to enter their username and password. Such scams tend to display a pop-up window prompting users to give away personal or financial information. It’s not only Windows that is susceptible to mischievous and smartly crafted scams.

So, what are the most widespread mac viruses in 2018? Scams Such As “Apple wants to make changes” This makes it imperative for Mac users to be armed and prepared to detect and remove macOS malware in all its forms. Multiple security reports reveal that Mac users, in particular, are increasingly targeted by Trojans, adware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and even cryptomining malware and ransomware. The story goes tha t GuardianApp experts unearthed that these apps “ present a plausible justification relevant to the app in the Location Services permission dialog, often with little or no mention of the fact that location data will be shared with third-party entities for purposes unrelated to app operation”. Apparently, iOS apps have been used to covertly collect location histories from tens of millions of Apple devices, via packaged code that belongs to data monetization companies. The crumbling privacy of iOS apps also adds up to the controversy of Apple’s state of security. Previous numbers revealed similar growth: AV-TEST security report for 2016/2017 indicated that Apple systems saw three times more attacks compared to past years. To top that off, four brand new Mac threats were detected only in the first two months of 2018. Is Apple Losing Its Grip?Īccording to statistics, Mac malware increased by 270% in 2017 compared to 2016. Cybersecurity researchers have been closely observing the threat landscape only to conclude that malware infections targeting Mac devices have increased in 2018. Mac malware, or macOS malware, exists contrary to the popular belief that Apple’s operating system is immune to online threats.

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