175Western

Q: malware

Any Apple recommended Malware removers

Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Mar 11, 2016 6:05 AM

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Q: malware

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  • by thunderzzz,Apple recommended

    thunderzzz thunderzzz Mar 11, 2016 6:13 AM in response to 175Western
    Level 6 (8,379 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 11, 2016 6:13 AM in response to 175Western

    What kind of malware you have? It is recommended to manually remove it. There is a good appliction created by long time member of this community(formerly known as adware medic)

    https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/mac/

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Mar 11, 2016 6:23 AM in response to 175Western
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Mar 11, 2016 6:23 AM in response to 175Western

    There are no Apple recommended malware removers as far as I know.    The recommendation by thunderzzz is a personal recommendation, though it is shared by many of us that answer questions.   But we do not work for Apple and so it could not be classed as Apple recommended.   Just clarifying.  

    Incidentally, I too would recommend Malwarebytes.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Mar 11, 2016 1:06 PM in response to 175Western
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Mar 11, 2016 1:06 PM in response to 175Western

    Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" (AV) or "anti-malware" software. The short answer is "no," but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat.

    1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions.

    It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to take control of it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. AV software is not intended to, and does not, defend against such attacks.

    The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5 and 11.

    OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as file quarantine, execute disable, sandboxing, system integrity protection, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.

    2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."

    The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.

    The following caveats apply to XProtect:

    ☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.

    ☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.

    As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.

    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't been checked for security by Apple unless it comes from the App Store, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)

    Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:

    ☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.

    ☞ A malware attacker could find a way around it, or could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.

    ☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.

    Apple has taken far too long to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. Those lapses don't involve App Store products, however.

    For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.

    4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background. It checks for, and removes, malware that matches a recognition database maintained by Apple. To ensure that MRT will run when that database is updated, open the App Store pane in System Preferences and check the box marked

              Install system data files and security updates

    if it's not already checked.

    Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise it has no user interface.

    5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, not machine behavior, and no technological fix alone is going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.

    The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and Internet criminals. If you're better informed than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in effect, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.

    Software from an untrustworthy source

    ☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.

    ☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.

    ☞ Rogue websites such as CNET Download, MacUpdate, Soft32, Softonic, and SourceForge distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."

    ☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.

    Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal

    ☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."

    ☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.

    Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers

    ☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)

    ☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.

    ☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.

    ☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.

    ☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.

    ☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."

    Unexpected events

    ☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.

    ☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any download that isn't what you expected it to be.

    ☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.

    ☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.

    I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.

    The emergence of data-destroying "ransomware" for the Mac has made backing up all data a part of the defense against attack. Since an infected machine could destroy its own backups, at least one backup device must always be offline. For example, you could rotate your backup drives, keeping one with you or at another site. That strategy also protects against a physical threat such as fire or theft.

    6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.

    Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.

    Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable itnot JavaScript—in your browsers.

    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a padlock icon in the address bar when visiting a secure site.

    7. Another perennial weak point is Adobe Flash Player. Like Java, Flash is in well-deserved decline, but Flash content is still much more widespread than Java content on the Web. If you choose to install the Flash plugin, you can reduce your exposure to Flash by checking the box marked

              Stop plug-ins to save power

    in Advanced tab of the Safari preferences window, if it's not already checked. Consider also installing a Safari extension such as "ClickToFlash" or "ClickToPlugin." They will prevent Flash content from loading automatically, and will also cause non-Flash video to be substituted for Flash on YouTube and maybe some other sites. I've tested those extensions and found them safe, but you should always do your own research before deciding whether to trust any third-party software.

    8. Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.

    Although it may seem counter-intuitive, you should never install any AV or "Internet security" products for the Mac if you have a choice, as they are all worse than useless. If you're required by a (mistaken) institutional policy to install some kind of AV, pick one of the free apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.

    Why shouldn't you use AV products?

    ☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.

    ☞ The design is usually predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.

    ☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.

    ☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous. That fact pertains to all AV software there will ever be, no matter what else changes.

    Using AV software sets you up for double exploitation: by malware attackers, from whom the software doesn't protect you, and by the AV industry itself. The latter will often try to hook you with a free loss-leader product so it can charge you for "upgrades" later.

    9. A free AV product from the Mac App Store is harmless as long you don't let it delete or move any files. Ignore any warnings it may give you about "heuristics" or "phishing." Those warnings, if they're not merely false positives, refer to the text of email messages or cached web pages, not to malware. Also ignore any attempts to upsell you to a paid version of the product.

    An AV app is not needed, and can't be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.

    Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:

         London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe

    You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise.

    A free AV product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who mandates that you have some kind of AV application. An App Store product won't modify the operating system; in fact, it won't do anything unless you run it.

    If you're just curious as to whether a file is recognized as malware by AV engines, you can upload it to the "VirusTotal" website, where it will be tested against most of them. A negative result is no proof of anything, for the reasons stated above. I don't recommend doing this with a file that might contain private information.

    10. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

    11. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It can be as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by AV software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Mar 11, 2016 1:24 PM in response to 175Western
    Level 6 (8,075 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 11, 2016 1:24 PM in response to 175Western

    the overwhelming majority of users here who are asked this question have used and continue to use malwarebytes for mac for this very problem.

    It does what it suggests: remove, (not prevent) malware from Mac OS.

    What it appears not to do is create any residual problems that are common with most if not all Mac Anti-Virus variants.

    In other words it has overwhelming support as the standard procedure in which to remove mac malware.

    And while Apple sells several Malware removal products on the App Store you can get Malwarebytes for mac for free.

    in addition Malwarebytes is a commonly suggested application on hundreds of Windows support forums for years, and has gained the trust and respect of many in the Windows community for providing an free application (for non commercial users) that does what it claims and appears to have no residual side-effects to any part of the Windows OS

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 13, 2016 10:08 AM in response to 175Western
    Level 5 (7,912 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 13, 2016 10:08 AM in response to 175Western

    contrary to what our good friend seventy one says, there are many posts here (going back years) that have stated that Apple (real people on the phone) Support have recommended Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware Detection & Removal Software for Apple Macintosh Computers (formerly known as AdwareMedic) - it is written by our good friend / fellow member her thomas_r > http://www.thesafemac.com/about/ <

     

    I agree with JimmyCMPIT - overwhelming majority - hundreds (1000s?) of victims have reported great results

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Mar 13, 2016 10:17 AM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 5 (6,430 points)
    Mac App Store
    Mar 13, 2016 10:17 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

    ChitlinsCC wrote:

     

    contrary to what our good friend seventy one says, there are many posts here (going back years) that have stated that Apple (real people on the phone) Support have recommended Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware Detection & Removal Software for Apple Macintosh Computers

    I have no issue with a recommendation of Malwarebytes but in defense of seventy one, Apple does not as a policy recommend any third-party applications. Not even the ones in the App Store. Any recommendation an Apple Advisor would make is a personal one. And can be misguided just as any user might be.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Mar 13, 2016 10:17 AM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Mar 13, 2016 10:17 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Not exactly contrary, CCC.   I think it is generally unwise to take 'reported' word of mouth comments as formal Apple recommendations.   That, I think, is what the questioner really meant albeit not asked precisely.  

     

    I am happy, as said, to recommend Malwarebytes.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Mar 13, 2016 10:33 AM in response to 175Western
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Mar 13, 2016 10:33 AM in response to 175Western

    The only tools that anyone needs to detect and remove adware are the Finder and a web browser, both of which you already have. Anyone who has enough computer skill to install adware can just as well remove it without using anything else.

    Apple's general statements about malware protection are here and here, and here are its instructions for removing the most common types of ad-injection malware. Those statements don't mention any third-party "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" product. Apple's method for removing adware involves, as I say, only the Finder and a web browser.

    You become infected with malware by downloading unknown software without doing research to determine whether it's safe. If you keep making that mistake, the same, and worse, will keep happening, and no anti-malware will rescue you. The only safety lies in safe computing practices.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 13, 2016 2:36 PM in response to dialabrain
    Level 5 (7,912 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 13, 2016 2:36 PM in response to dialabrain

    dialabrain wrote:

     

    ChitlinsCC wrote:

     

    contrary to what our good friend seventy one says, there are many posts here (going back years) that have stated that Apple (real people on the phone) Support have recommended Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware Detection & Removal Software for Apple Macintosh Computers

    I have no issue with a recommendation of Malwarebytes but in defense of seventy one, Apple does not as a policy recommend any third-party applications. Not even the ones in the App Store. Any recommendation an Apple Advisor would make is a personal one. And can be misguided just as any user might be.

    OK, fair enough!

     

    Let's say that if:

    1. any number of posts remain unscathed stating that Apple Specialist(s) has recommended MWB/AWM
      AND/OR
    2. a huge amount of posts remain unscathed recommending MWB/AWM
      and/or
    3. Apps EXIST in the Mac App Store, whatever they be

    that is a de facto endorsement of the App - especially #1, as I am sure that the recommendation is in the Knowledge Base to which the specialists have access (rather than from 'personal experience') - but until we ask one that question of a specialist, we'll never know

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 13, 2016 2:39 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 5 (7,912 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 13, 2016 2:39 PM in response to seventy one

    Howdy 7 1,

     

    We here ARE the de facto front line of Apple Support - Apple would MUCH rather a user come here for easy (or hard) answers than take a salaried employees time = 'tis by their own design!

     

    best regards, amigo

    ÇÇÇ

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Mar 13, 2016 3:25 PM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Mar 13, 2016 3:25 PM in response to ChitlinsCC

    And Howdy back to you. CCC.  

     

    We clearly sit together in the greater scheme of things. 

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Mar 13, 2016 4:12 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 5 (7,912 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 13, 2016 4:12 PM in response to seventy one

    Yep. Apple has always prided themselves on "ease of use" - invoking an App that does all the things that a "process" does is certainly preferable in my book!

  • by Csound1,Solvedanswer

    Csound1 Csound1 Mar 15, 2016 6:50 AM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 9 (50,871 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 15, 2016 6:50 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

    ChitlinsCC wrote:

     

    contrary to what our good friend seventy one says, there are many posts here (going back years) that have stated that Apple (real people on the phone) Support have recommended Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware Detection & Removal Software for Apple Macintosh Computers (formerly known as AdwareMedic) - it is written by our good friend / fellow member her thomas_r > http://www.thesafemac.com/about/ <

     

    Which is not the same as an Apple recommendation, it is anecdotal at best

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Mar 15, 2016 4:58 PM in response to 175Western
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 15, 2016 4:58 PM in response to 175Western

    Ironically, while everyone was debating what Apple does or does not recommend, an Apple representative quietly came in and slapped the following "Recommended" badge on a post:

     

    Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 7.55.44 PM.png

     

    I leave it as an exercise to the reader to draw conclusions.

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