Have you ever been enjoying a peaceful evening at home curled up with your favorite book or binge-watching your favorite show when suddenly the phone rings? You glance at the caller ID and see an unfamiliar number, but you answer anyway, only to be bombarded by a pushy telemarketer trying to sell you something you don’t want or need.

That familiar feeling is what it’s like when you’re trying to use your Mac and then are bombarded with messages like “Apple wants to make changes.” The sneaky thing about this particular virus is that it’s designed to look like a legitimate message from macOS. It’s intrusive and frustrating. But the good news is you’re not helpless. There are steps you can take to get rid of this pop-up virus.

In this article, I will guide you through the process of removing the pop-up virus and getting back to using your computer without any interruptions.

I will also provide you with tips on how to avoid getting infected with malware and viruses in the future, so you can keep your Mac safe and secure at all times. With this guidance, you’ll be able to take control of your Mac’s security and ensure that it operates smoothly and efficiently, free from any harmful viruses or malware.

What is the “Apple wants to make changes” pop-up?

Before you can fix the problem, you have to know what it is. This particular issue is commonly referred to as a pop-up virus due to the fact that its main symptom is to overwhelm a computer with pop-ups. It’s a type of malware that is designed to look like a notification from macOS. So, when you’re prompted to type in your computer’s admin password, you have no hesitation in doing so.

Once you enter your admin password, the virus can gain complete control of your Mac, allowing the attacker to install additional malware, steal personal information, or even lock you out of your own computer. This type of malware uses a tactic known as social engineering. Because it’s not using brute force to “hack” into your computer, but rather it’s tricking the user — yourself, in this case — to willingly provide the credentials needed to infect the computer.

“Apple wants to make changes” virus manual removal steps for Mac

Now that you know what you’re dealing with, let’s go through the steps to remove the “Apple wants to make changes” pop-up virus from your Mac manually:

  1. Press Command+Option+Esc on your keyboard.
  2. Select the browser that’s showing the pop-up and click Force Quit.

The next part will vary based on which browsers you have installed. Follow the steps below for each browser.

Safari

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Click Safari > Settings…
  3. Select the Privacy tab.
  4. Now, click Manage Website Data > Remove all.
  5. Then, open the Extensions tab and remove anything suspicious installed.

Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click Chrome > Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data.
  3. Adjust the Time range in the drop-down menu to All time.
  4. Make sure everything is selected off and click Clear data
  5. Now, click Extensions and remove any strange add-ons that might be installed.

Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Select Firefox > Settings.
  3. Open Privacy & Security.
  4. Select Clear Data.
  5. Make sure all the boxes are selected and click Clear.
  6. Now, click Manage Data > Remove All > Save Changes.
  7. Finally, select Extensions & Themes and remove anything weird that you don’t remember installing.

After you finish these steps, you should go ahead and reboot your Mac. This gives all of the software on there a chance to get a fresh start after clearing out all of that browser data.

    How to avoid your Mac getting infected with malware and viruses

    One effective way to avoid getting infected with malware and viruses on your Mac is to use a reliable cleaner software like CleanMyMac. This app includes a powerful Protection tool and Malware Removal feature that can scan your system for any malicious programs and remove them safely.

    Malware removal module of CleanMyMac


    To use the Malware Removal feature, all you have to do is:

    1. Open CleanMyMac (free download here).
    2. Click Protection in the sidebar.
    3. Then, click Scan to start the scanning process. The app will search your entire system for any malware or viruses and provide a report on its findings.

    If any malware or viruses are detected, you can easily remove them with just one click. Simply click Remove to eliminate the threat and keep your Mac safe from harm.

    Other tips for avoiding malware and viruses on your Mac

    In addition to using CleanMyMac, there are other steps you can take to protect your Mac from malware and viruses:

    • Be cautious when downloading and installing software from the internet. It’s best to only download apps from the developers you know. If you’re getting the app from a trusted place — like the Mac App Store — then you know it’s been tested and verified, lowering the chance of it being corrupted by malware.
    • Keep your Mac’s operating system and applications up to date. The latest security patches and bug fixes protect your computer from any exploits.
    • Use an antivirus or antimalware software. Set it to run regular scans and check for any suspicious activity.
    • Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails. These are common tactics used by attackers to spread malware.
    • Use strong and unique passwords for your online accounts. It’s impossible to overstress how important a strong password is for your accounts. But also, enabling extra security measures like two-factor authentication can help keep them safe.

    Dealing with the “Apple wants to make changes” pop-up virus can be a frustrating and scary experience, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can remove it from your Mac and prevent future infections. Remember to always be cautious when downloading and installing software, keep your system updated, and use strong passwords to keep your personal information safe.

    And, remember, there’s no shame in asking for help. Sometimes, manual removal isn’t enough to fix the issue. Or maybe you just don’t trust your own technical abilities to fix it yourself. Going to a professional for technical support is a smart choice because, let’s face it, they probably have a bit more experience safely and effectively removing viruses from Macs anyways.