Beat Virus Mac OS
A virus intended to exploit something on Windows won't work on Apple's Mac operating system - the code that makes up the two systems is completely different. Similarly, the code that makes up mobile operating systems like Android and iOS is different from the code on PCs.
A phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender 'anti-virus' software to solve the issue.
This “anti-virus” software is malware (i.e. malicious software). Its ultimate goal is to get the user's credit card information which may be used for fraudulent purposes.
The most common names for this malware are MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.
Apple released a free software update (Security Update 2011-003) that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants.
The Resolution section below also provides step-by-step instructions on how to avoid or manually remove this malware.
- Stopping a virus altogether involves searching your Mac pretty thoroughly to ensure all traces of the virus are gone. You should use malware-scanning software to help identify and eliminate.
- Download Malwarebytes for Mac (the free version) and you get a limited trial of the premium version with automatic (real-time) virus and malware protection. After a limited time, your trial reverts to a limited disinfection scanner. Buy the premium version now to prevent infection in the first place.
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Resolution
How to avoid installing this malware
If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using. If a normal attempt at quitting the browser doesn’t work, then Force Quit the browser.
In some cases, your browser may automatically download and launch the installer for this malicious software. If this happens, cancel the installation process; do not enter your administrator password. Delete the installer immediately using the steps below.
- Go into the Downloads folder, or your preferred download location.
- Drag the installer to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash.
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How to remove this malware
If the malware has been installed, we recommend the following actions:
- Do not provide your credit card information under any circumstances.
- Use the Removal Steps below.
Removal steps
- Move or close the Scan Window.
- Go to the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and launch Activity Monitor.
- Choose All Processes from the pop up menu in the upper right corner of the window.
- Under the Process Name column, look for the name of the app and click to select it; common app names include: MacDefender, MacSecurity or MacProtector.
- Click the Quit Process button in the upper left corner of the window and select Quit.
- Quit Activity Monitor application.
- Open the Applications folder.
- Locate the app ex. MacDefender, MacSecurity, MacProtector or other name.
- Drag to Trash, and empty Trash.
Malware also installs a login item in your account in System Preferences. Removal of the login item is not necessary, but you can remove it by following the steps below.
- Open System Preferences, select Accounts, then Login Items
- Select the name of the app you removed in the steps above ex. MacDefender, MacSecurity, MacProtector
- Click the minus button
Use the steps in the “How to avoid installing this malware” section above to remove the installer from the download location.
Note: Apple provides security updates for the Mac exclusively through Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads site. User should exercise caution any time they are asked to enter sensitive personal information online.
What makes you think there is a 'virus'? Any symptoms...?
There are other types of malware (such as trojans) that can affect Mac OS X, but no viruses. A trojan would have to trick you into installing something (the malware) by making you think it is something else. You would be notified (by the system) that you are running a downloaded application for the first time, AND if something will be done to update your current system, you will be asked to authenticate (with your admin user name and password). If something like that comes up when you don't expect it, you should be suspicious (and NOT authenticate). Just opening an email won't do anything, even if it's an email that may affects Windows PCs.
Beat Virus Mac Os X
Best Virus Mac Software
This free utility can scan your Mac for malware.
Apparently, there is a version on the Mac App Store.
In the past, when I bothered to run it a few times a year, the only things it found were junk emails that I had not bothered to delete with embedded malware, all of it aimed at Windows PCs.
Jul 15, 2012 11:04 PM