A phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender 'anti-virus' software to solve the issue.
This “anti-virus” software is malware (i.e. malicious software). Its ultimate goal is to get the user's credit card information which may be used for fraudulent purposes.
The most common names for this malware are MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.

RELATED: Mac OS X Isn't Safe Anymore: The Crapware / Malware Epidemic Has Begun Malwarebytes makes well-regarded security utilities for Windows. Malwarebytes originally expanded into the Mac security software arena by purchasing and rebranding a popular application named “Adware Medic” that we and others have used successfully in the past. Aware of the problem, Apple eventually replaced the classic Mac operating system with the new Mac OS X, which came with built-in malware security measures. For instance: Quarantine, introduced in 2007, alerts users if they try to open applications downloaded from the Internet. It acts as a reminder, in effect prompting users to think twice.

Apple released a free software update (Security Update 2011-003) that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants.
The Resolution section below also provides step-by-step instructions on how to avoid or manually remove this malware.

Apple helps you keep your Mac secure with software updates. The best way to keep your Mac secure is to run the latest software. When new updates are available, macOS sends you a notification — or you can opt in to have updates installed automatically when your Mac is not in use. MacOS checks for new updates every day and starts applying them in the background, so it’s easier and faster. Protect your Mac from malware macOS has many features that help protect your Mac and your personal information from malicious software, or malware.

Resolution

How to avoid installing this malware

If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using. If a normal attempt at quitting the browser doesn’t work, then Force Quit the browser.

In some cases, your browser may automatically download and launch the installer for this malicious software. If this happens, cancel the installation process; do not enter your administrator password. Delete the installer immediately using the steps below.

1. Go into the Downloads folder, or your preferred download location.
2. Drag the installer to the Trash.
3. Empty the Trash.

How to remove this malware

If the malware has been installed, we recommend the following actions:

• Do not provide your credit card information under any circumstances.
• Use the Removal Steps below.

Removal steps

1. Move or close the Scan Window.
2. Go to the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and launch Activity Monitor.
3. Choose All Processes from the pop up menu in the upper right corner of the window.
4. Under the Process Name column, look for the name of the app and click to select it; common app names include: MacDefender, MacSecurity or MacProtector.
5. Click the Quit Process button in the upper left corner of the window and select Quit.
6. Quit Activity Monitor application.
7. Open the Applications folder.
8. Locate the app ex. MacDefender, MacSecurity, MacProtector or other name.
9. Drag to Trash, and empty Trash.

Malware also installs a login item in your account in System Preferences. Removal of the login item is not necessary, but you can remove it by following the steps below.

• Open System Preferences, select Accounts, then Login Items
• Select the name of the app you removed in the steps above ex. MacDefender, MacSecurity, MacProtector
• Click the minus button

Use the steps in the “How to avoid installing this malware” section above to remove the installer from the download location.

Note: Apple provides security updates for the Mac exclusively through Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads site. User should exercise caution any time they are asked to enter sensitive personal information online.

What is Silver Sparrow Mac Virus?

Silver Sparrow Mac Virus is an adware and it specializes in displaying ads in various forms, such as banner ads, pop-up ads, in-text ads, video ads, sound ads, interstitial ads, etc.. These ads are made by the topics you are familiar with. And they will also cheat you to the fishing sites. So you face of identity spillage. We don’t think it is safe to keep it here.

Once Silver Sparrow Mac Virus get inside, it will locate on the browsers as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and even Safari. That is to say, the more you use your browsers, the deeper you are infected. Also, it can manipulate your PC. The ads by Silver Sparrow Mac Virus will give you various dangerous items, which will also help it to promote its ads. So it is like a vicious circle and it is endless until your PC is crashed.

Some users will use their security applications to check up their PC and then they found that it is safe here, no virus, no malware. But it is not true, because Silver Sparrow Mac Virus is here. It can incapacitate these kinds of applications. And even some of them can find it out and remove it, they will find that this programs come back again. That is because this application can recover with its remaining.

Then, it is necessary for users to consult the solution from experts. For your convenience, we compile an instruction, and please check them.

How to Remove Silver Sparrow Mac Virus from Mac OS?

First, we recommend a safe and efficient solution for you – Virus Automatic Removal. When a Mac is infected with malware like Silver Sparrow Mac Virus, a comprehensive diagnosis is always necessary. So we recommend using professional Mac security software to fully scan your computer and find out all possible problems and unsafe items.

SpyHunter Antimalware For Mac is one of the most professional Mac Anti-virus. It is specifically designed to fight Mac native malicious applications, however, it also detects and lists PC ­related malware. The virus definition database is updated hourly to ensure that you are protected from the latest outbreaking malware threats. Therefore, we recommend downloading SpyHunter Antimalware For Mac to search and delete all harmful items on your Mac. This may save you hours and ensure you don’t harm your system by deleting the wrong files:

(Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Read its EULA, Privacy PolicySee more Free SpyHunter Remover details.)

– Once download is finished, double-click SpyHunter-1.2-15-7043-Installer.dmg to install it:

– Now use SpyHunter Mac Antimalware to diagnose your Mac. If malicious items are detected, click the Remove Selected Items button to remove Silver Sparrow Mac Virus along with any other viruses, PUAs (potentially unwanted applications), or junk files.

How to Manuallly Remove Silver Sparrow Mac Virus on Mac OS?

Manual removal is a lengthy and complicated process that requires rich experience and advanced computer skill. If you want to try it, follow the manual removal steps below. (Be carefully in the process, do not delete core system files that may harm entire system.)

Step 1. End malicious process related withs Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or malware.

1. Press Command+Option+Escape buttons together to open Force Quit tool:

2. Choose Force Quick tool, and then find out suspicious app and Click the “Force Quit” button

Step 2. Uninstall extensions related with Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or malware from Safari and Chrome

On Safari:

1. Click Safari menu, then select Preferences:

2. Click Extensions tab, select extension related with Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or malware, and Click the Uninstall button to delete the extension.

On Chrome:

1. Click Chrome Menu button >> Select More Tools >> Select Extensions:

2. Determine the extension that may be related with infection, and click Trash icon to delete it:

Step 3. Uninstall Apps related with Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or malware.

In your Mac’s Finder, Click on the Go menu icon and select Applications on the list.

Search for Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or related suspicious apps, click Move to Trash, and Empty the Trash once you’re done.

Step 4. Search and remove malicious files related with Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or malware:

– Click on the Go menu icon in the Finder and select Go to Folder.

– Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the Go to Folder search field.

– Search for malicious items related to Silver Sparrow Mac Virus and drag them to the Trash. Here are several examples of malicious files: com.startup.plist, com.ExpertModuleSearchDaemon.plist and com.pplauncher.plist:

Virusos Mac Os X

– Use the Go to Folder lookup feature again to type: /Library/LaunchAgents

Macs And Malware

– Try to find out files related with Silver Sparrow Mac Virus or malware and trash them. Here are several examples of Silver Sparrow Mac Virus related files: Silver Sparrow Mac Virus.update.plist, Silver Sparrow Mac Virus.AppRemoval.plist, Silver Sparrow Mac Virus.download.plist, Silver Sparrow Mac Virus.ltvbit.plist, com.Silver Sparrow Mac Virus.agent.plist, com.SoftwareUpdater.agent.plist.

– Again, Use the Go to Folder lookup feature to type: ~/Library/Application Support

Search for malicious folders related with Silver Sparrow Mac Virus and drag them to the Trash. Here are several examples of known-malicious folde: Silver Sparrow Mac Virus, SoftwareUpdater, and IdeaShared.

Remove Malware From Mac