Critical Security Warning! Scam

Posted by Sarah Stewart on October 25, 2017

What is Critical Security Warning! Scam?

Critical Security Warning! Scam is a fake tech support scam hosted on a website that can be shown to you at random while you browse the web. It was designed for Mac computers specifically, and our researchers say that a potentially unwanted application on your computer can open it. The scam claims that your Mac is under attack by hackers and wants you to call a featured fake tech support phone number. To get rid of this scam, you have to remove the software that loads its page. In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about Critical Security Warning! Scam and how you can get rid of it for good.

Where does Critical Security Warning! Scam comes from?

Cybersecurity experts report that the program configured to promote this scam is most likely distributed using bundled software. Certain software distributing websites can host bundled software installers that can also install the software featuring Critical Security Warning! Scam without your knowledge or consent. We refer to this kind of software as potentially unwanted as its installers purposefully hide additional software in an effort to install it without your knowledge. Therefore, you should always opt for advanced or custom installation settings and uncheck the installation of suspicious applications.

What does Critical Security Warning! Scam do?

If you accidentally get the application that redirects you to the page of Critical Security Warning! Scam, then you will be greeted with a grey window with a dialog in the forefront that says “SYSTEM SECURITY AT RISK.” It will also contain an error code “HT201169” and claim that your computer’s security is at risk since a “serious attack has been detected.” Indeed, the authors of this scam use scare tactics and unsubstantiated claims to convince you that your Mac computer is under attack. The scam site also claims that your IP address is being accessed for different locations and that a suspicious network is trying to access your logins and online banking credentials.

The scammers want you to call +1-888-225-6662 to get alleged technical assistance, but the reality is that you will not get it what you expect because the people on the other end of the line may try to sell you their services for an unreasonable price. They might ask you for hundreds of dollars for removing the elusive threat and ask for even more money for additional protection. You should not take their word, and we recommend that you act now and get rid of the software that is redirecting you to Critical Security Warning! Scam.

How do I remove Critical Security Warning! Scam?

In conclusion, Critical Security Warning! Scam was designed to trick you into paying scammers for fake services that might cost you a pretty penny. We offer you a free solution to this problem which is to remove the software that is loading the URL where Critical Security Warning! Scam is hosted. Since nothing is known about that software, you will have to identify it manually. We have included a guide below that will help you delete suspicious files and browser extensions. See the guide below for more information.

Remove suspicious files in Library/LaunchAgents folder

Click Finder.
Select Go and click Go to Folder…
Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the bar and click Go.
In the LaunchAgents folder, identify suspicious files and move them to Trash.
Then, in the Go to Folder bar, type /Library/Application Support and click Go.
Identify suspicious files and move them to Trash.
In the Go to Folder bar, type /Library/LaunchDaemons and click Go.
Identify suspicious files and move them to Trash.
Lastly, in the Go to Folder bar, type ~/Library/LaunchAgents and click Go.
Identify suspicious files and move them to Trash.