Removing “Your Computer is Low on Memory” Popup Virus On Your Mac
3 min read
With cyberattacks of one form or another on the increase, it is not that uncommon to receive the “Your Computer is Low on Memory” Mac popup. The role of this particular virus is far-reaching. It can:
- Harvest your details.
- Fool you into buying the software you don’t need.
- Gain permission to take over your browser and other parts of your device.
You may have got this virus as it could have been bundled in with downloadable software from a dubious source. Phony Adobe Flash Player upgrades are one area where the malware is unknowingly downloaded.
This kind of virus is commonly known as scareware. It is a combination of malware and psychological attack. So, how do we get rid of it?
Getting Rid of Your Computer is low on memory Mac popup
To get rid of the Your Computer is low on memory Mac popup go:
Finder then Utilities
Select Activity Monitor
In the list of apps lookout for the following;
- MacSecurityPlus
- Spaces
- ScreenCapture
- ScreenSaver
- BeAware
The difficulty here is that it might be called something else. Pay close attention to anything that is resource-heavy and unfamiliar. Trust your own judgment and when you see something that you don’t recognize, select it and click Stop.
A dialogue box will appear asking if you want to close the application. Select Force Quit.
- Select Go and Go to Folder
- Type /Library/LaunchAgents then GoIn the list of files, look for unfamiliar ones as you did when scanning activity monitor. If you see new, unfamiliar-looking files, drag them to the trash.
Repeat the search but type ~/Library/Application Support
In the list of folders, you’re once again looking for anything suspiciously named. Normally, the folders will have names that don’t relate to your apps. Three to look out for are:
- ProgressMatch
- SystemSpecial
- IdeaShared
Remember that they may be called by another name. Try and cross-reference the filing date with the time you first saw the popup.
Drag them to Trash
Type ~/Library/LaunchAgents in the Go Folder.
- Once again look for unfamiliar items and drag them to Trash.
Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the Go Folder.
Anything that looks dubious probably is so drag it to Trash. Three to look out for are:
- pplauncher.plist.
- startup.plist.
- ExpertModuleSearchDaemon.plist.
Select Applications from the Go menu.
- Look for MacSecurityPlus, Spaces, ScreenCapture, ScreenSaver, BeAware or anything else that looks suspicious. Drag it to Trash. Give your admin password if you need to.
- Click the Apple icon and System Preferences
- Click Users & Groups and then Login Items.
- From the list of items, delete anything that is clearly dubious.
Head back to System Preferences and select Profiles.
Delete anything dubious. Common dodgy files include:
- TechSignalSearch
- MainSearchPlatform
- AdminPerfs
- Chrome Settings.
Just when you think it’s all over…
Delete “Your Computer is Low on Memory” Mac Popup from Your Browser
The last step to get rid of the “Your computer is low on memory” Mac Popup is to purge it from your browsers. For Safari, clear the cache and clear history. Under Privacy select Manage Website Data and hit the Remove All button. Restart Safari.
For Chrome and Firefox:
Chrome
- Go to Settings, select Advanced.
- Click Reset Settings.
- Close and restart the browser.
FireFox
- Type about:support in the search bar.
- Click Troubleshooting Information and then Refresh Firefox…
- Confirm and restart the browser.
This my friends is how you purge the “Your computer is low on memory” Mac popup. For additional information contact Apple Support.
Binary Blogger has spent 20 years in the Information Security space currently providing security solutions and evangelism to clients. From early web application programming, system administration, senior management to enterprise consulting I provide practical security analysis and solutions to help companies and individuals figure out HOW to be secure every day.
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