There is no doubt that Mac computers are not totally safe from viruses or malware anymore. Gone are the days that computer enthusiasts referred to this brand as the safest device. These days, whatever virus infects the PC also has a version that is compatible with Mac systems. Whether it is a common virus, Trojan, worm, adware, rogue application, or fake optimization tool, Mac is now open to every possible attack.
Perhaps one reason why Macs are being targeted these days is that more computer users are now switching to this machine. Not to mention that some programs that only worked on Windows before are now Mac-compatible apps. This applies even to internet browser programs that are running on the screen for the vast majority of computing times.
Whenever there are unknown apps that meddle with Mac computers, users often refer to them as virus infections. Because most of them are not technically savvy, there is no easy way for them to recognize different attacks, whether they are from viruses, adware, or rogue software. Mac users generally consider the infiltration a virus infection.
In this article, we present different approaches to removing viruses from Macs. Different kinds of infections require distinct kinds of procedures, and we will tackle each in the guide below. Read the rest of this post if you need to remove a virus from your Mac system and an infected browser program.
Breakdown of Common Mac OS Infections
MAC VIRUS
This is technically a computer threat that can be damaging to Mac OS. The primary target of the Mac virus is the operating system itself, including system files and executable data. Generally, when we say virus, these are computer threats that exploit various vulnerabilities on the Mac OS as well as installed applications as a penetration doorway and to run unnecessary commands. Here are the types of viruses on Mac:
Trojan – Known as a deadly virus, a Trojan is malicious code or software that, when executed, will be able to take control of the computer. A Trojan was designed with the special capability to cause damage, interruptions, steal, or operate harmful actions that damage Mac OS, data, or the computer network. There are many types of Trojans for Mac, and each has its own tasks, like Backdoor, DDos, Downloader, Infostealer, Remote Access Trojan (RAT), Rootkit, Banker, IM, and so on.
Worm – This is a Mac computer virus that spreads from one computer to another. It can make a copy of itself by exploiting various software vulnerabilities. Worms can replicate an infection on media drives and network shares and can even send a copy through spam email messages.
Ransomware – A hazardous type of Mac virus that is able to encrypt files and demands a ransom in exchange for decryption software. The objective of a ransom varies by type and variant, but often it locks files or the Mac OS in general to deny users’ access. So far, this type of threat can evade security applications because of its concealing factor, which masks its operation as a system process.
MAC ADWARE
Mac adware is a type of virus especially crafted to attack internet browser applications like Safari, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox. Adware is a short code for Ad-supported Software. That gives us the idea that the general objective of this threat is to display advertisements on the browser, and in return, its authors are expecting to receive revenue. Below are the types of adware that usually infect Mac OS:
Browser Hijacker – Once it enters the computer, sudden and unwanted changes will occur in the internet browser program. Homepage, start-up page, new tab window, and search engine are all affected by the modifications. Instead of the user’s preferred settings, the browser hijacker virus will replace these sections with an unnecessary homepage and search tool. Some of the infamous browser hijackers that invade Macs are Weknow.ac and SafeFinder.
Pop-ups and Redirects – Like a browser hijacker, this virus targets internet browser applications. However, it makes no changes to the homepage or other vital pages. The infection only reveals the sign when a Mac user is in a browsing session. This type of Mac virus triggers pop-up advertisements and processes a series of redirects that point the browser to unwanted websites. Recently, Mac security forums got flooded with queries about Yahoo redirects, which drive the browser to said website instantly during browser start-up, searching, or ordinary web surfing. This is obviously not a Yahoo virus attack, but a malicious script that reroutes the browser to a different website, and the last part shows the legit and trusted Yahoo page to simply mask the malicious activities.
ROGUE SOFTWARE FOR MAC
This may be considered a Trojan, particularly if the installation involves malicious code that drops the executable and runs it on a Mac computer. However, some rogue software infects Mac OS because the user itself is careless in executing the prompts from dubious websites. As a result, they voluntarily download and install a rogue application without realizing that it is a computer threat. Rogue programs for Mac often pretend to be performance enhancement tools or security software that requires a registration fee or paid activation code to unleash full features. Unfortunately, even the full version of the rogue tool is not worthy of a Mac user’s money. Most of these rogue programs are complete trash, and they just swindle money from innocent victims.
POTENTIALLY UNWANTED APPLICATION (PUA)
The title already gave a clue as to what type of Mac virus is a PUA. These are applications that commonly get installed on Macs or internet browser programs without the user’s approval. Enhancement tools, free games, and browser extensions that are installed through discrete methods without the user’s intervention are categorized as PUA. Like adware, PUA is a Mac virus that often attacks internet browser programs. The only difference is that unwanted programs do not aim to generate revenue but rather promote an application through unusual distribution techniques.
Here are the methods to remove virus from infected Mac
Method 1 – How to remove common virus from Mac?
Method 2 – Removing Adware from Mac
Method 3 – Remove rogue software virus that infects Mac
Quick Fix : Instant Removal
Combo Cleaner is a trusted Mac utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of malicious browser hijacker, adware, or malware. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.
1. Download the tool from the following page:
2. Double-click the downloaded file and proceed with the installation.
3. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon onto your Applications folder icon.
4. Open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.
5. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing threats from the Mac computer.
6. Free features of Combo Cleaner include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus and privacy scanner, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
Proceed with the rest of the removal steps if you are comfortable manually removing malicious objects associated with the threat.
Method 1 – How to remove common virus from Mac?
Speaking of computer viruses, these are commonly hazardous and often invisible malware that infects Mac systems. These threats are categorically identified as Trojans, worms, viruses, and so on. Since this infection on the computer often involves hidden files and system objects, the best way to get rid of Mac viruses is to run a thorough scan of anti-virus or anti-malware applications. In this example, we will scan the Mac with our installed anti-malware tool. You can use your own security program; just make sure that the database is updated and run a thorough scan.
1. Download Malwarebytes for Mac from the link below.
2. Locate the downloaded Malwarebytes-Mac.pkg and install it with the default settings.
3. Run Malwarebytes for Mac. It will check for updates and download the most recent version if one is available. This is necessary for finding recent malware threats, including malware.
4. Once you are on the Malwarebytes dashboard, please click on the Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.
5. After the scan, Malwarebytes for Mac will display a list of identified threats, and malware is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click the Remove button to clean the computer.
Method 2 – Removing adware from internet browsers
Adware are programs that often attack internet browser programs like Safari, Firefox, and Google Chrome. The term adware is derived from Ad-supported Software that intends to exploit infected browser applications to generate online profit. The adware virus for Mac has no difference from its PC counterpart. They just work in different environments, so diverse coding is done on the virus.
Most adware and unwanted programs use an application called a "browser extension" to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend checking and removing the extension that is closely related to malware. If it is not present, look for and delete any suspicious browser extension.
Google Chrome
Remove the malware Extension from Google Chrome
1. Open the Google Chrome browser on you Mac device.
2. Input the strings below in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
chrome://extensions/
3. Find malware or a relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
Safari
Remove Malicious Extension from Safari
1. Open the Safari browser.
2. On the top menu, click Safari > Settings or Preferences.
3. The Safari settings window will open. Please select the Extensions tab.
4. Locate the suspicious extension and click the Uninstall button to remove it from Safari.
5. You may now close the window and restart Safari.
Microsoft Edge
Remove malware from Mac's Microsoft Edge Browser
1. Open the Microsoft Edge program on your Mac.
2. Input or copy and paste the following string in the address bar. Press press Enter on the keyboard:
edge://extensions/
3. Look for and Remove or Disable entries for malware from the Installed Extensions area.
4. You may now close the window and restart the Microsoft Edge browser.
Mozilla Firefox
Uninstall the malware Extension from Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type or copy and paste the strings below in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
about:addons
3. Click on Extensions from the sidebar menu.
4. Look for an entry that pertains to malware and Disable or Remove it from the browser using the options button.
Method 3 – Remove unwanted apps that infects Mac
1. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar, please select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Input the following string and press Enter on the keyboard.
~/Library/LaunchAgents
3. You will now see a hidden folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:
- com.malware.plist
- unknown.service.plist
- unknown.system.plist
- unknown.download.plist
- unknown.update.plist
4. The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. Attackers may use the following file names:
- Genieo. InstallMac, (random characters).plist
If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing malware to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files.
5. Please click on "Show items as..."
6. To arrange the items in chronological order, click Date Modified.
7. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.
Take note of all the suspicious files, as you may also delete the same item in another folder as we go on.8. Please restart the Mac computer.
9. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and paste the following string to easily locate the folder:
~/Library/Application Support
10. Select any suspicious items that you have noted previously. Drag them to the Trash.
11. Repeat the process in the following non-hidden folders (without ~):
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
12. Lastly, go to your Finder > Go and open the Applications folder. Look for subfolders with the following names and drag them to Trash.
- Genieo. InstallMac, (random characters)
Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:
1. Go to Launchpad > Other folder, open the Activity Monitor.
2. Select the process you want to quit.
3. In the upper part of the window, click the Stop button.
4. Click on Force Quit button.
5. You may now delete or remove the locked file that belongs to malware homepage hijacker.
When executing Mac virus removal methods from 2 and 3, it is important to run the anti-virus scan (Method 1) after each procedure. This is to ensure that no remnant of the virus is left on a Mac computer.
Originally published on April 30, 2020, 13:29
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