Back in the XP days the biggest problem with the Windows variant of this bug was that when the tools did finally come out, if you already had the infection, the infection blocked your access to Windows Update and antivirus tools. Since Windows 7, removal has become quite trivial, since you are now able to boot into Safe Mode without the virus following you into there. So long as you log on as a different user (admin works here), can install the antimalware app, and update it, the junk can be removed quite easily these days.”]
Source: https://gizmodo.com/take-note-macdefender-malware-now-calls-itself-mac-shi-5808570