Critical Security Warning! Scam Removal Guide

Do you know what Critical Security Warning! Scam is?

Critical Security Warning! Scam was created by vicious virtual schemers who want to trick Mac users into exposing themselves and their operating systems. At this moment, the scam is targeted only at those users who are operating on Mac, but different versions of this scam could be created to target different operating systems. In this report, we focus on the fictitious security warning that you will see if you are using Mac. It is not exactly clear how this scam is introduced to victims, but it is most likely that the bogus security warning is represented via a page set up by schemers. Users are likely to be redirected to this page as they click a corrupted link found on an unreliable website, or when they interact with a misleading pop-up. In this case, it should be enough to close the browser to get rid of the fake warning. However, if it keeps showing up, the chances are that you need to delete Critical Security Warning! Scam-related malware, and that can be tricky.

According to research, there is a possibility that the misleading Critical Security Warning! Scam alert could be opened by potentially unwanted programs that you have downloaded onto your Mac device without even sensing a threat. Identifying unreliable software can be difficult because it is likely to use disguises. Unfortunately, while cyber criminals and schemers are more likely to create malware and scams targeted at operating systems that have more users (e.g., Windows OS), the count of Mac-compatible infections is growing, and webpage-delivered scams might be the easiest way for schemers to target Mac users. You are most likely to face Critical Security Warning! Scam via Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome browsers. Closing the browser should be the first step, but that is not something that all users will do because of the message represented. According to it, the operating system is under an attack, and “Apple certified technicians” must be called at +1-888-225-6662. Of course, this number does not represent Apple tech support. It links to schemers.

The Critical Security Warning! Scam alert is meant to trick you into thinking that someone or something is trying to steal your logins and banking information, as well as record your IP address and browsing history. Without a doubt, that is something that is likely to grab your attention. The worst thing you can do in this situation is call +1-888-225-6662 because that is what gives schemers the chance to scam you. If you call the number, you could be tricked into disclosing your full name, credit card information, as well as details about your operating system. You could be convinced that that is needed for identification. Unfortunately, if schemers have this data, they could steal your identity. You could also be pushed into paying for useless services. Of course, the worst thing that can happen is that you are tricked into downloading malware that creates even more security issues. If any of this has happened, act accordingly to ensure that your operating system is not at risk. If malware has been downloaded, delete it. If you have disclosed personal information, protect it.

Since it is difficult to know how exactly the Critical Security Warning! Scam is introduced to users, we have created a guide that shows how to delete unwanted components and applications, as well as how to erase browser extensions that could be linked to the scam. Hopefully, if malware exists, the instructions shown below will help you get rid of it. If you find out that you do not need to remove Critical Security Warning! Scam-related infections, closing the browser should be enough. Of course, if you have opened the bogus security alert via a malicious link or a pop-up, you have to make sure you do not click it again.

How to remove unwanted extensions from browsers

  1. Launch Safari and then click the Safari icon at the top.
  2. Choose Preferences.
  3. If any unfamiliar applications exist, Uninstall them.
  4. Launch Google Chrome.
  5. Click the menu icon on the top-right corner.
  6. Select More tools and then Extensions.
  7. Click the trash icon next to an unwanted add-on and select Remove.
  8. Launch Mozilla Firefox.
  9. Click the menu icon on the top-right corner and choose Add-ons.
  10. Open the Extensions menu, find an unwanted add-on, and choose Remove.

How to delete unwanted files and applications from macOS

  1. Open the Applications menu.
  2. If any unfamiliar applications exist, drag them to Trash.
  3. Open the Go menu and click Go to folder…
  4. Check these folders for any unfamiliar items (if they exist, drag them to Trash):
    • /Library/Application Support
    • /Library/LaunchAgents
    • /Library/LaunchDaemons
    • ~/Library/LaunchAgents
  5. Empty Trash and then perform a full system scan to check for leftovers.

In non-techie terms:

If the Critical Security Warning! Scam has come your way, you need to pay no attention to the alert that is represented via it. Of course, your virtual security could be at risk, but you should not panic about the threats listed in the bogus warning. Hopefully, the scam was activated when you clicked a malicious link, but if you need to remove Critical Security Warning! Scam-related malware, you need to do it as soon as possible. The instructions above should help you delete any malicious components if they exist, but if you fail to get rid of malware yourself, do not hesitate to employ the help of automated malware removal tools.