Apple Platform Security Alert

Apple Platform Security

Apple Platform Security is an aggressive advertising Mac app that is aimed at popularizing certain sites by forcing your browser to page-redirect you to them. Apple Platform Security is usually included in installation packages and distributed alongside other apps which allows them to get installed on more computers.

Apple Platform Security

The Apple Platform Security Alert Pop up will display pop up ads and messages

If you are already familiar with this app because it has gotten installed on your Mac, you are likely forced to put up with dozens of ads swarming your screen every time you start a new browsing session. In addition to that, it is likely that elements of your browser such as the main search engine and the homepage and new-tab page have been modified without your permission. Those are the most noticeable effects that a browser-hijacking app such as Search Marquis, QSearch could have on users’ browsers and one could experience them on Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or any other Mac-compatible browsing program.

Even though this hijacker isn’t an inherently harmful app, it should still be uninstalled from any Mac where it’s present because of the potential security issues it may eventually lead to.

Apple Platform Security Alert for Mac

Apple Platform Security Alert for Mac is a browser add-on app that is labeled as potentially unwanted due to its endless attempts to aggressively promote different sites inside the browser. Apple Platform Security Alert for Mac can be described as a Mac browser hijacker that can modify browsers without user permission.

Every time a given app makes any changes in your system or browser without your informed permission, this should raise a red flag in your mind that the app in question should probably not be allowed to remain in the computer. In the case of Apple Platform Security, this browser hijacker is likely not going to directly damage your Mac PC. However, its generation of sudden page redirects and aggressive ads may potentially result in more serious security programs. The main reason for this is the unverified nature of the sites and products promoted by the hijacker. Unfortunately, it is possible that some of them are unsafe and may even be used for the distribution of malicious software threats, including spyware, Ransomware, or Trojan horse viruses.

What is Apple Platform Security?

Apple Platform Security is a type of software that attaches to the browser and begins to spam it with obstructive popups and banner ads and aggressive page redirects. Apple Platform Security is considered to be unwanted and should be removed immediately or else its advertising actions may expose your Mac to more hazardous software.

In the worst-case scenario, you may get attacked by some harmful Trojan horse virus or a Ransomware infection, but even if this doesn’t happen, the unpleasant ads, the obstructive page redirects, and the unwelcome browser changes are still enough of a reason to uninstall this undesirable hijacker.

The Apple Platform Security app

The Apple Platform Security app is a rogue Mac browser attachment capable of taking over the main browser in the system and changing its settings. The Apple Platform Security app does this without the user’s informed permission which is why it’s advisable to remove it ASAP.

To help you with the uninstallation process, we have prepared a set of removal steps that you will find on this page. You are advised to follow them so as to quickly and effectively eliminate the unpleasant browser hijacker app. 

SUMMARY:

Name Apple Platform Security
Type Browser Hijacker
Detection Tool

Remove Apple Platform Security Alert Pop up

If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide

For a quick way to remove Apple Platform Security try to do this inside your Mac browser:

  1. Open your Mac browser.
  2. Go to Preferences.
  3. Now navigate to the extensions sub-menu.
  4. Look for any unfamiliar entries, including Apple Platform Security.
  5. Remove Apple Platform Security from your Mac as well as any other suspicious-looking items by clicking on the trash bin icon.

If this does not help then continue reading this article for more detailed instructions on how to get rid of Apple Platform Security!

Step1

The first thing you need to do is to Quit Safari (if it is opened). If you have trouble closing it normally, you may need to Force Quit Safari:

You can choose the Apple menu and click on Force Quit.

Alternatively, you can simultaneously press (the Command key situated next to the space bar), Option (the key right next to it) and Escape (the key located at the upper left corner of your keyboard).

If you have done it right a dialog box titled Force Quit Applications will open up.

In this new dialog window select Safari, then press the Force Quit button, then confirm with Force Quit again.

Close the dialog box/window.

Step2

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Start Activity Monitor by opening up Finder, then proceed to activity-monitor

Once there, look at all the processes: if you believe any of them are hijacking your results, or are part of the problem, highlight the process with your mouse, then click the “i” button at the top. This will open up the following box:

chromeinfo

Now click on Sample at the bottom:

chromesample

Do this for all processes you believe are part of the threat, and run any suspicious files in our online virus scanner, then delete the malicious files:

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    Step3

    The next step is to safely launch Safari again. Press and hold the Shift key while relaunching Safari. This will prevent Safari’s previously opened pages from loading again. Once Safari is opened up, you can release the Shift key.

    On the off chance that you are still having trouble with scripts interrupting the closing of unwanted pages in Safari, you may need to take some additional measures.

    First, Force Quit Safari again.

    Now if you are using a Wi-Fi connection turn it off by selecting Wi-Fi off in you Mac’s Menu. If you are using a cable internet (Ethernet connection), disconnect the Ethernet cable.

    Step4

    Re-Launch Safari but don’t forget to press and hold the Shift button while doing it, so no previous pages can be opened up. Now, Click on Preferences in the Safari menu,

    Preferences in Safari

    and then again on the Extensions tab,

    extensions in safari

    Select and Uninstall any extensions that you don’t recognize by clicking on the Uninstall button. If you are not sure and don’t want to take any risks you can safely uninstall all extensions, none are required for normal system operation.
    Step5

    The threat has likely infected all of your browsers. The instructions below need to be applied for all browsers you are using.

    Again select Preferences in the Safari Menu, but this time click on the Privacy tab,
    Privacy in Safari

    Now click on Remove All Website Data, confirm with Remove Now. Keep in mind that after you do this all stored website data will be deleted. You will need to sign-in again for all websites that require any form of authentication.

    Still in the Preferences menu, hit the General tab

    General Tab in Safari

    Check if your Homepage is the one you have selected, if not change it to whatever you prefer.
    Default Home Page

    Select the History menu this time, and click on Clear History. This way you will prevent accidentally opening a problematic web page again.

    firefox-512 How to Remove Apple Platform Security From Firefox in OSX:

    Open Firefoxclick on mozilla menu (top right) ——-> Add-onsHit Extensions next.

    pic 6

    The problem should be lurking somewhere around here –  Remove it. Then Refresh Your Firefox Settings.


    chrome-logo-transparent-backgroundHow to Remove Apple Platform Security From Chrome in OSX:

     Start Chrome, click chrome menu icon —–>More Tools —–> Extensions. There,  find the malware and  select  chrome-trash-icon.

    pic 8

     Click chrome menu icon again, and proceed to Settings —> Search, the fourth tab, select Manage Search Engines.  Delete everything but the search engines you normally use. After that Reset Your Chrome Settings.

    If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!


    About the author

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    Brandon Skies

    Brandon is a researcher and content creator in the fields of cyber-security and virtual privacy. Years of experience enable him to provide readers with important information and adequate solutions for the latest software and malware problems.

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