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Is MBAM-mac a real apple anti-virus download or is it malware waiting to trick me?

Is MBAM-mac malware or is it a real anti virus program from Apple? Last week, I downloaded the new OS: Yosemite and ever since, I've had a couple of malware threats. I went to Support at my Apple store yesterday and the man there fixed everything and downloaded a real Apple anti virus program. In this new OS, though, Chrome does not seem to be a good browser for me. Instead of going to Google, it brings me to Yahoo and today, when I searched for google, (through Yahoo) I spelled it wrong and a malware threat turned up. I forced closed and it seems to be gone, but I'm afraid to use Chrome again, so I'm using Safari. Problem is, I don't know what anti virus program the Apple guy gave me. On my download history, this MBAM shows up but, I suspect it may be today's malware lying in wait for me. Any suggestions and help will be appreciated!

iPad Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 23, 2015 3:17 PM

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22 replies

Sep 23, 2015 6:39 PM in response to Darasings

Apple does not provide anti virus / malware software. Whatever MBAM is, it's fake but you can check for malware.


Downnload and run Malwarebyyes Anti-Malware for Mac formerly known as AdwareMedic. It's free.


Make sure Mac App Store and identified developers is selected in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General


If you would rather not download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, you can remove malware manually following the instructions here > Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support

Sep 23, 2015 6:57 PM in response to Darasings

Your question brings up the subject of removing adware. This is a general comment on that subject.

Under no circumstances should you ever allow anti-virus software to delete something for you.

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 only the Finder and a web browser, as stated above.

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. Your own intelligence and caution are the only reliable defense.

The Windows/Android anti-malware industry had more than $75 billion in sales in 2014 [source: Gartner, Inc.] Its marketing strategy is to convince people that they're helpless against malware attack unless they use its products. But with all that anti-malware, the Windows and Android platforms are still infested with malware—most of it far more harmful than mere adware. The same can be expected to happen to the Mac platform if its users trust the same industry to protect them, instead of protecting themselves.

You are not helpless, and you don't have to give full control of your computer—and your data—to strangers in order to be rid of adware.

These are generalities. Regarding the "malwarebytes" product in particular, you may be told that there are no reports that is has caused damage. In fact, there are such reports; for example:

I found malware or adware on my system the other day. I removed it with Maleware Bytes and since then Safari has not worked proper at all.

preferences pane will not load

Read that report and draw your own conclusions—not anyone else's conclusions.

The developer itself admitted that the Windows version of the product has been known to delete essential system files.

Whether the software damages the system or not, it prompts for your password in order to take full adminstrative control, and connects via the Internet to a server controlled by the developer. The developer's privacy policy, linked directly to the product page, reads in part as follows:

"Without limiting the Privacy Policy, you agree that Malwarebytes may track certain data it obtains from your Computer including data about any malicious software or other threats flagged by the Software, data about your license, data about what version of the Software you are using and what operating conditions it runs under and data concerning your geographic location."

(Emphasis added.) So the developer admits to tracking your location, as well as other unspecified data, and gives itself the legal right to collect any data it chooses. How it uses that right, you don't know. By running the software, you accept these terms.

It's sometimes said that the Malwarebytes product only removes adware rather than malware as such (if there's a difference), and that it therefore shouldn't be stigmatized as anti-malware. The developer's own description does distinguish between adware and malware, and specifically mentions removing malware as a selling point six times. A self-described employee of the developer wrote in an ASC discussion, "Actually, it's also a malware removal app..." (emphasis added.)

In this thread, a user reported that "Malwarebytes" failed to remove his malware, but manual removal was both effective and easy.

The question then is: as a security-conscious computer user, do you want to take risks where there is no benefit?

Sep 24, 2015 3:45 PM in response to Linc Davis

Okay, thank you to those of you who answered. All of these comments give me something to ponder. The reason I asked the question the way I did, was when I went to the Apple store to meet with a "genius" (that's what they're called, as I understand it) to help fix what I was pretty sure was malware, he told me he had loaded some kind of Apple approved program for protection after he deleted the original problems from my computer. I am not experienced enough to trust myself to do this without getting into serious trouble! When I got home, I opened my browser in Chrome like I'd been doing for the past year and a half with the older OS, but now, instead of Google showing up, Yahoo does. When I typed in Google, I accidentally misspelled it and -whoops!- there appears this warning that my "Microsoft" computer has been compromised. I was able to force close chrome and I am now using Safari/Google, but I'm afraid this "thing" (malware) is lurking, waiting for me to misstep. That "MBAB" shows up in my Downloads file, so I was not sure if it was something my Apple advisor downloaded, or malware/spyware that had just appeared. Believe me when I say I know my limitations and I try to be cautious whenever I use my MacAir. Unfortunately, all this started after I downloaded the newer OS, Yosemite. Never would have done that if I'd realized how much trouble it's causing me. However, I think my best response is to make another appointment at the Apple store now that I am wiser in what NOT to do!

Sep 24, 2015 3:56 PM in response to Darasings

You should download MalwareBytes to scan for adware. Only one forum user adamantly advises against it, and they do so for personal reasons. Removing adware manually is something I would strongly advise against because it requires much more labor on your part, and an incomplete or incorrect removal can be damaging. Also note that comments about anti-virus or anti-malware software are irrelevant when dealing with adware. Though MalwareBytes does detect malware, its most appealing feature is adware removal.

Sep 25, 2015 2:40 AM in response to Darasings

I'm the original author of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac, which is often abbreviated as MBAM-Mac, and continue to direct its development at Malwarebytes. It is a legitimate app, but it is not an Apple app. Apple techs frequently use or recommend the use of this app for the removal of adware.


Don't get drawn in by the negative things being said by Linc. Many of them are outright false, using bad or insufficient information in an attempt to support his point of view. Please pay close attention to what is being said about this app by others, and especially the fact that this app was used by an official Apple technician.

Sep 25, 2015 2:56 AM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis wrote:


it seems susceptible to a greater number of threats

It's less susceptible, not more, but still susceptible enough if you don't follow safe computing practices—foremost among which is not running unknown software that you don't need, merely because you see it recommended on a public message board.

But Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac (formerly Adwaremedic) is well known. If you do a search on these forums you will see that many users have had great success with it and In that light it is an application that is needed in certain conditions. Don't you think that you should investigate a little and reassess your somewhat misinformed position?


Ciao.

Sep 25, 2015 6:54 AM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis wrote:


In case you're confused, no "anti-malware" software is ever needed or should ever be used for any reason, no matter who recommends it.


In case you're confused, whenever there is a conflict between the advice from a single stranger in an online forum and the advice from an official Apple representative, such as an Apple tech, it's probably wisest to listen to the Apple representative.


Unless, of course, Linc, you wish to set the precedent that the advice of a stranger in a forum should be considered preferable to that of an Apple tech? I wouldn't call that wise, if that's what you're suggesting.

Is MBAM-mac a real apple anti-virus download or is it malware waiting to trick me?

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