Removing Similar Photo Cleaner and Mac Auto Fixer

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Level 1

9 points

Removing Similar Photo Cleaner and Mac Auto Fixer

Mac Auto Fixer and Similar Photo Cleaner are two malicious programs that seem accompany certain program downloads. I downloaded Adobe Digital Editions and our Mac became infested with these.

After unsuccessfully attempting to kill their processes through both activity monitor and terminal (kill…) (the processes simply started up again….like "wack-a-mole"), I found (after Google searches) mention of several folders they install in the hidden user directory “Library”.

I searched these subfolders: App Support, Startup Items, Launch Agents and Receipts, found several references to these programs and deleted them. I was then able to stop their processes through activity monitor. References to these programs are cryptic. I compared their file creation dates and was able to sniff them out.

I restarted my Mac and was able to kill the processes under two user names (I share this Mac with my spouse). To be absolutely certain, I powered down, restarted the Mac. I no longer see any references to the programs in activity monitor. I'm declaring myself "clean".

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.12

Posted on Mar 27, 2019 8:16 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

155,786 points

Mar 27, 2019 2:15 PM in response to RTDL

That's all you needed to do. You do not need to download or install anything else. I recommend you don't, for this reason, among others.

Here is another Discussion describing the technique you probably used: remove similar photo cleaner

The following may also be relevant: Beware bogus Adobe Flash "installers" - Apple Community

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Mar 27, 2019 11:35 AM in response to RTDL

If you want to scan for adware/malware as a followup, try downloading this program which was written by Thomas R, a long time poster. The program will search for malware/adware The program will do the work for you which makes it easy. It may be necessary to run more than one scan.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac 10.10 and later

Malwarebytes uninstall

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Answer 3

RTDL Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 27, 2019 3:25 PM in response to John Galt

This post was particularly helpful as I recall specifically (and blindly) following prompts to "update" Adobe Flash Player. I associate it most frequently with updates requested after starting Pandora (I use it, like it and pay for it...iTunes as well!)

In any event, it appears that our Mac's defenses are still strong (thank you Unix) and that phishing (in this case, leading me to believe I needed to update Adobe Flash) was the culprit.

thanks and best, Richard

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Removing Similar Photo Cleaner and Mac Auto Fixer

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