Mac OS: Remove malware "Mac Defender"

Mac OS X malware like Mac Defender should be removed from your Mac. Our guide will tell you how it works.

Delete "Mac Defender" from your Mac

Malware is often referred to as "MacDefender", "MacSecurity" or "MacProtector" on the Mac and is offered on various websites to protect your Mac. In truth, it is dangerous malware that you can remove with this guide:

1. In the Spotlight search, enter "activity indicator" in the top right and then select the first hit.
2. In the activity display, you are now looking for processes with the names "MacDefender", "MacSecurity" and "MacProtector".
3. Select this process and then click on "End process immediately" at the top left. In the next dialog box, press "Exit".
4. Next, enter the search term "Programs" in the Spotlight search and select the first hit under the "Folder" category.
5. Here you can search for "MacDefender", "MacSecurity" or "MacProtector". If you find a program with this name, put it in your "trash".
6. Now open the trash in your dock and click on "File"> "Empty trash safely ..." in the Apple system bar.

Remove login objects

In some cases, login objects are also created by the malware. You should also remove these from your Mac.

1. Start the system settings in your dock.
2. Select "Users & Groups" here.
3. In the next window, all login objects are displayed on the left. Now, if available, click on a login object called "MacDefender", "MacSecurity" or "MacProtector".
4. Then click on the minus symbol to remove the object.

In the "Downloads" folder, you should also move the file labeled "Installer" to the trash and then empty it. The next practical tip will show you how to restore your iTunes Store account name.