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accidentally clicked a button and installed (but did not register) something called "Mac Protector". some sort of anti-virus software. was this put out by mac? should i not buy/register for it? is it a good thing? has it ever messed up someone's macbook/laptop?
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.7)
You installed a vicious malware product. Never ever install something you know nothing about. Do a search for "MacProtector" and you'll find plenty of threads about it and how to get rid of it.
to reboot in safe mode, you hold down the shift key as you start the computer.
this thing was circling through my computer for about 20-30 min before i found the answer from wzzz in this forum. i too would like to know what it may have done, or may still be doing to my macbook. as i said, i do think i originally installed it as well, because it looked like a mac software update or something, but i never gave my credit card info or officially "registered" for it. does that mean i'm only half as dumb as they wanted me to be?
what ARE the effects on the computer if you did make the mistake of installing it and had to trash it from the applications folder? wzzz?
People pls check your Safari browser....I had just installed and removed the MacProtector app...I rebooted in safe mode thnx anthonyitaliano....i tried to browse through Safari browser and none of the websites seem to open now...I have done forcequit around 6 times now....the sites which i used to browse doesn seem to open....I just see the browsing circle executing....pls check....I don know whether this is an effect coz of installing the MacProtector icon....I even tried to open this community weblink and Safari wouldnt open...
my safari browser seemed to work after i followed wzzz's instructions. the only problem i have and still had after macprotector is my macbook having trouble finding my wifi. seems to be happening more often now. i have to re-start like 6-7 times before it finds my wifi.
I don't think anyone has yet done a full analysis, but this latest incarnation of MAC Defender, which first appeared last weekend (it has subsequently changed names several times and is now called MacProtector) appears to be no more harmful than its predecessors. The only difference I've been hearing is that it now appears to actually do some kind of fake scan of your drive and then, maybe, "phone home." But with what data, I'm not sure. This I don't like.
I would certainly change my password if I'd been infected. And, another word of advice: don't get into the habit of using the same password for multiple purposes. Never use an ordinary word of any kind, i.e. one that can be found in the dictionary (some exploits will employ a "dictionary attack;" they will try every single word from the dictionary), choose a relatively long password from random letters (upper and lower case) and numbers and characters from all over the keyboard.
As far as I know -- but, as I said, I haven't yet seen a full analysis of this latest variant -- if you've removed the program from your Applications folder and from Login Items, that's it. No lingering after effects. I think they are after money and credit card numbers. If you've given your credit card information, call your credit card company to cancel the charge or place it in dispute. And cancel that card immediately.
You can be much safer, in general, on the Internet with Firefox and the Add-on NoScript. Many exploits employ weaknesses in JavaScript, which is used extensively on web sites. NoScript filters JavaScript.
If you want even more protection against programs that "phone home," get Little Snitch.
It is embedded in an ad on Hotmail.com. You don't even have to click on anything for it to automatically download and forward you to related site. Pretty lame.
I got hit with this menace, too. I sent the app & the downloaded execute files to the trash & emptied the trash while I was in regular mode, i.e. not safe. Then went to safe & changed my account password & deleted the malware from the Accounts Log In items. Should I do anything further? I'm asking because I didn't delete the app while in safe mode...
The only purpose of doing a Safe Boot is to be able to trash the components, including the app. Safe Boot disables Login and Startup Items, so the program can be trashed. You can also kill it/force quit it in Activity Monitor and then trash it.
Until now, it was my understanding no one was able to trash the app, or perhaps it was just the Login Item, without getting an "in use" message. If you trashed both the app and the Login Item, that should be it. But, no one, to my knowledge, has yet done a really thorough analysis of this latest variant, MacProtector.
Hotmail is well known as an infestation of spammers and malware. You couldn't pay me to have a hotmail account, and if I didn't know a few people who use it, I would block it completely.
someone please help, this macprotector program just got onto my mac book pro and i cant drag it into the trash because it says its "open" how do i close the program or get it off my computer its screwing with and up everything.
First, restart in Safe Boot by holding the Shift key down at the chime. This will keep it from running, so you can remove it.
1. Drag the MacSecurity program -- or whatever it's called, MAC Defender, MacProtector (installed in the Applications folder by default) to the Trash. Empty the Trash.
2. Remove item of same name from the Login Items for your Account in the OS X System Preferences (if it exists).
3. Go to your Home folder Library>Preferences and Application Support (may not be one there) and search for any files with one of the above names and trash them. Empty the trash.
You could have found this in this thread, I believe, or in any number of threads here, or by searching with Google.
another stupid question: how do i change my password? not even sure i set one up.
This thing is a nasty bit of business. I was on some website, I don't think I even clicked on anything. On mouseover, it suddenly downloaded the program into my computer and an installer window opened up. I immediately quit the window, found the file in downloads, trashed it and emptied the trash. I also went to accounts in preferences, and didn't notice any new logins. Is there anything else I should do or look for? I'm thinking I got it all.
And thanks for all the helpful information!
Hi Guys,
I became one more victim of MAC Protector, but the mistake i did was even severe than all of you guys, I registered with MAC Protector, with my credit card details and everything and now I dont know how to get my money back or rather I should say where to get my money back. I would really appreciate if someone can guide me with this regard.
Thanks,
Nisarg
Call or contact your credit card and dispute the charges. Tell them this is fraudulent. Also, cancel the card immediately.
mac protector?
