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Many users have reported seeing a ‘NBP will damage your computer’ notification on their Apple devices. This message is a part of Apple’s defence mechanism warning users about a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Still, it can be unsettling for some users who have no idea how to deal with it.
Despite being flagged by system alerts, the NBP virus requires manual removal due to an inactive removal button. Thus, users must research and eliminate the malware.
In this article, we’ll explain what ‘NBP will damage your computer’ means and how to fix it.
Understanding NBP
NBP refers to a specific application or process identified by macOS’s security protocols as potentially risky. It’s not a specific entity but a label for any application triggering Apple’s protective measures.
NBP, a spinoff of the Pirrit malware family, targets web browsers to hijack settings like default search engines and homepages. It redirects traffic to rogue services, generating profit for its creators.
The virus enters systems through clickbait tricks on dubious websites or bundled with seemingly harmless applications, exploiting users’ trust to execute malicious activities.
While commendable, the detection logic of macOS alerts is generic and reminiscent of past malware scenarios.
Although the ‘NBP will damage your computer’ alerts serve as a visible symptom, the infection itself operates covertly, potentially compromising privacy by collecting personal data.
So, promptly removing NBP is crucial to mitigate these risks and restore normal browsing settings. Users must identify and delete all virus components, including background files, to ensure a clean system.
While macOS provides robust security features, users must remain vigilant and proactive in combating threats like NBP to safeguard their systems and data. The next section will explain how to remove NBP from your Apple computer.
Also read: What is RecordMapper? How to remove it from Mac?
How to remove the NBP virus from your computer?
Now that we have understood what the message ‘NBP will damage your computer’ message on your macOS, let us understand how to remove it easily.
Quit the process
Each virus that enters the computer runs a process on the system, consuming RAM and preventing the other programs from running properly.
Here’s how to close the suspicious program:
Step 1: Open Finder and then head to Applications > Utilities.
Step 2: Now, click on Activity Monitor.
Step 3: Then, click on the Memory tab at the top.
Now, find the suspicious process, click the Cross button at the top of the screen, and select Force Quit.
Delete the suspicious software
You should also delete the suspicious software to remove the NBP virus from the system.
Open Finder, head to Applications from the left sidebar, right-click on the app you think is suspicious enough (nbp.app), and then select Move to Bin.
Remove the suspicious extension from the browser
You should also remove the suspicious extension from the browser:
Safari
First, let us start with the Safari browser:
Step 1: Click on the Safari app at the top left of the screen and then select Settings.
Step 2: Next, click on the Extension tab at the top and then click on Uninstall.
Chrome
Here’s how to remove suspicious extensions on Chrome:
Step 1: Click on the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen and then head to Extensions > Manage Extensions.
Step 2: Now, click on the Remove button below the extension that you want to remove.
Firefox
Finally, let us understand how to remove extensions on Firefox:
Step 1: Click on the three-dot button at the top right of the screen and then click on the Addons and themes option.
Step 2: Now, click on the three-dot icon in front of the extension, and then select Remove.
Scan your computer
Finally, scan your computer with any third-party and reputed antivirus available online. This may include McAfee, Kaspersky, or Norton, among others. After a full scan, most antivirus will detect suspicious applications and remove or quarantine them.
In conclusion, the ‘NBP will damage your computer’ notification is an in-built mechanism of Apple that notifies users that a malicious app has been installed on their computer. Follow the steps given above to remove the app, and you’re good to go.
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