Malware on the Mac?

Guys, I have a question: it seems that I got caught on a scam website (I think it was a DNS site spoofing, the link was to vk.com), Safari has frozen the entire Mac system (on a M-series chip, never happened to me before), I had to turn off the Mac (the device has not responded to any hotkey), then I closed all the tabs, rebooted the computer, ran the Avast Security scan (which is supposed to protect against this stuff, but I have a free version), which did not detect any malware, but my bad feeling is still there. I am running MacOS Monterey, because the computer came with this version by default, and I don't really want to update to Ventura, but maybe the update will strengthen protection and erase a possible hidden virus? Or is it just a paranoia? What do you think?

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Jul 6, 2023 1:47 PM

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Mac Jim ID

Community+ 2026

Level 9

64,718 points

Posted on Jul 6, 2023 2:07 PM

A couple of things:

Remove Avast Security using their uninstaller. This will only cause you problems and obviously does not help at all. No Anti-Virus or Cleaners should be installed on a Mac.
Update to Ventura. This is where you are going to get the maximum security.
After that has been done, Review these Safari settings:

Safari > Settings > Extensions. Remove or disable all.
Safari > Settings > Websites > Notifications. Deny notifications for all sites. If you have a specific need for a known site, then you can allow it after you are sure the problem is solved.
Safari > Settings > Windows > Pop Up Windows. Only allow Pop Ups from known sites.

That should do it. If you are still having trouble or want to be certain there is nothing running in the background, download EtreCheck and post the report here using the "Additional Text" option when posting. You should just do the free scan to create a diagnostic report and there is no need to have it installed to run on every launch.

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34 replies

Jul 7, 2023 1:35 AM in response to dialabrain

I read your article. Now the question is: if I have doubts about my cyber security, should I:

1) Avoid being paranoid, because it's MacOS and I haven't installed anything or agreed to anything. It's enough to uninstall "useless Avast".

2) Erase the hard drive, reinstall the OS, upgrade to the latest version and never install third party software to analyze system security?

Jul 7, 2023 1:50 AM in response to etresoft

I used the classic combination: Option (or Alt), Command, Esc. It didn't work, and it scared me because my Mac has always been responding to my commands correctly. The computer just froze and kept booting up.

Jul 7, 2023 7:47 AM in response to etresoft

You don't know that they are. Just because your 3rd party antivirus freaked out over a few Apple system files doesn't mean that you don't have malware installed. Those are two distinct, and completely separate events.

Sounds encouraging!

But if you choose to go looking for problems with EtreCheck, then you'll become a problem for me. And I don't need any more problems, so don't do that.

What do you mean I will become a problem for you?

Jul 7, 2023 8:20 AM in response to etresoft

So, to summarize, are you saying that the security of the Apple system is practically faultless and only I personally can breach its security, not some hackers through phishing sites? By the way, I still can't understand how I can create a problem for you with a download of your software?

Jul 7, 2023 8:26 AM in response to SuicideBonaparte

SuicideBonaparte wrote:

So, to summarize, are you saying that the security of the Apple system is practically faultless and only I personally can breach its security, not some hackers through phishing sites? By the way, I still can't understand how I can create a problem for you with a download of your software?

You appear to be having a problem understanding the differences between "virus", "malware", and now you mention "phishing". In order to become a victim of "phishing" you have to participate by providing information or access to the phisher. This is a different attack than malware or virus. Read the thread. You have been advised many times regarding what to do.

Jul 7, 2023 8:39 AM in response to SuicideBonaparte

The sole motivation is money. The only reason someone would want your photos is for extortion. Personal information like bank info, SS#, or Credit card number is all about money. The notifications are a means to get you to give them that information. In addition by giving out your Apple ID and Password gives a person the ability to lock you out of your devices where they can again extort you for money to unlock it. It has everything to do with the money.

Stalking by a persons ex-partner may be another motivation, but that is not what we are talking about here.

etresoft

Level 9

56,870 points

Jul 7, 2023 8:42 AM in response to SuicideBonaparte

SuicideBonaparte wrote:

So, to summarize, are you saying that the security of the Apple system is practically faultless and only I personally can breach its security, not some hackers through phishing sites?

Yes. That is an accurate assessment.

By the way, I still can't understand how I can create a problem for you with a download of your software?

It's the same as any other business. If you run a hardware store and someone comes in acting strangely and it seems like they've been scammed or otherwise misinformed, what do you do? Do you take the opportunity to ring up a big sale? Do you try to talk them into more dangerous procedures than they can handle? Or do you just try to talk them out of doing anything dangerous and try to get them to quietly leave the store?

Jul 7, 2023 9:10 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Theft of my personal information, my photos, etc. and then blackmailing me was exactly what I had feared. Preventive formatting of the HDD and reinstallation of the system in my opinion is the best thing I could do in this situation. I just don't want to do it every time due to the slightest fear. And I'm not going to trust my personal laptop to lesser-known software. For me, it's the same as trusting to some Combocleaner.

Although the call center told me that they didn't hear anything about MacOS viruses, but the taped-up Mac camera of many celebrities says otherwise:)

Jul 7, 2023 10:00 AM in response to SuicideBonaparte

SuicideBonaparte wrote:

Although the call center told me that they didn't hear anything about MacOS viruses, but the taped-up Mac camera of many celebrities says otherwise:)

The fact that some "celebrities" tape up the computer camera could just mean they have fallen prey to the ubiquitous scaremongering. Very few celebrities have become celebrities because of their computer skills.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,295 points

Jul 6, 2023 2:19 PM in response to SuicideBonaparte

One of the problems AV apps cause is false positives.

Jul 6, 2023 2:22 PM in response to dialabrain

Avast often warns me about virus blocking (even when I visit Google, for example). Are you saying that antivirus is just useless on Mac, or can it really create a serious threat to the system?

dialabrain

Level 10

136,295 points

Jul 6, 2023 2:24 PM in response to SuicideBonaparte

Did you read the article I posted?

Jul 6, 2023 2:26 PM in response to dialabrain

Not yet. Can you tell me concisely what the problem is?

dialabrain

Level 10

136,295 points

Jul 6, 2023 2:28 PM in response to SuicideBonaparte

SuicideBonaparte wrote:

Not yet. Can you tell me concisely what the problem is?

Yes. The problem is, you haven't read the article yet.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,295 points

Jul 6, 2023 2:36 PM in response to Kurt Lang

That looks a lot like the thread Mac Jim posted. 😎

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Malware on the Mac?