MacDan2

Q: How do I remove megabackup and mackeeper from my iMac?

I have found MacKeeper, MegaBackup, and Justcloud on my new iMac, and I don't need them, how do I remove them?

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Dec 22, 2015 7:27 PM

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Q: How do I remove megabackup and mackeeper from my iMac?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Dec 22, 2015 7:31 PM in response to MacDan2
    Level 10 (271,406 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 22, 2015 7:31 PM in response to MacDan2

    Uninstalling Software: The Basics

     

    Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash.  Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.  Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space.  If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.

     

    Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application.  In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.

     

    Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder.  You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder.  You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder.  Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.

     

    Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item.  Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder.  Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences.  Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab.  Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.

     

    Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS.  Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.

     

    If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term.  Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default.  You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, EasyFind, instead.

     

    Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder.  Usually with the same name as the program or the developer.  The item generally has a ".pkg" extension.  Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.

     

    There are many utilities that can uninstall applications.  Here is a selection:

     

        1. AppZapper

        2. AppDelete

        3. Automaton

        4. Hazel

        5. AppCleaner

        6. CleanApp

        7. iTrash

        8. Amnesia

        9. Uninstaller

      10. Spring Cleaning

     

    For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

  • by gunitafterscience,Apple recommended

    gunitafterscience gunitafterscience Dec 22, 2015 7:45 PM in response to MacDan2
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 7:45 PM in response to MacDan2

    Download MalwareBytes for Mac from https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/mac/

     

    Run a scan and it will list all Malware/Adware including MacKeeper, MegaBackup and JustCloud.

     

    Remove them and your Mac will restart.

     

    Once it has restarted, it should be free of Malware.

     

    I hope it helps!

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 23, 2015 12:13 PM in response to MacDan2
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Dec 23, 2015 12:13 PM in response to MacDan2

    A

    A link has been posted in this thread to the "macupdate" website. Do not follow that link, and never download anything from that site. It intentionally distributes OS X malware by packaging some free applications (such as "Firefox" and "Skype") in an unnecessary and malicious "installer."

    All software should be downloaded directly from the developer's website or from the App Store. Don't trust any site such as "macupdate" that aggregates links.

    B

    Never use any kind of "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" software on a Mac. That's how you create problems, not how you solve them.

    C

    Never use any software that purports to remove other software.

    D

    "MacKeeper" is a scam with only one useful feature: it deletes itself.

    If you have incompletely removed MacKeeper—for example, by dragging the application to the Trash and immediately emptying—then you'll have to reinstall it and start over.

    Note: These instructions apply to the version of the product that I downloaded and tested in early 2012. I can't be sure that they apply to other versions.

    IMPORTANT: "MacKeeper" has what the developer calls an “encryption” feature. In my tests, I didn't try to verify what this feature really does. If you used it to “encrypt” any of your files, “decrypt” them before you uninstall, or (preferably) restore the files from backups made before they were “encrypted.” As the developer is not trustworthy, you should assume that the "decrypted" files are corrupt unless proven otherwise.

    Please back up all data before making any changes.

    In the Finder, select

              Go Applications

    from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-A. The "MacKeeper" application is in the folder that opens. Quit it if it's running, then drag it to the Trash. You'll be prompted for your login password. Click the Uninstall MacKeeper button in the dialog that appears. All the other functional components of the software will be deleted. Restart the computer and empty the Trash.

    Quit MacKeeper before dragging it to the Trash.

    Let MacKeeper delete its other components before you empty the Trash.

    Don't try to drag MacKeeper from the Dock or the Launchpad to the Trash.

    Don't try to remove MacKeeper while running in safe mode.

    E

    "MegaBackup" is either an untrustworthy cloud-storage application or perhaps actual malware. I haven't tried to make that distinction. To remove it, please start by backing up all data (not with MegaBackup itself, of course.) Then take the steps below.

    1. Select the Login Items tab in the Users & Groups pane of System Preferences. Delete any items with a name beginning in "MegaBackup".

    2. Log out or restart the computer.

    3. Drag the MegaBackup application from the Applications folder to the Trash and empty.

    Note that you can't delete any application by trying to drag its icon from the LaunchPad or the Dock. You must open the Applications folder in the Finder.

    F

    "ZipCloud," sometimes named "JustCloud," is a cloud-storage service with a doubtful reputation. The OS X client is sometimes distributed along with malware. Although ZipCloud may not be malicious itself, it should be suspected by virtue of the company it keeps.

    To remove ZipCloud, please start by backing up all data (not with ZipCloud itself, of course.)

    Quit the "ZipCloud" or "JustCloud" application, if it's running, and drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash. Don't try to empty yet.

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    ~/Library/LaunchAgents

    Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

              Services Open

    from the contextual menu.* A folder named "LaunchAgents" should open.

    In the folder, there may be one or more files with a name beginning as follows:

               com.jdibackup.

    Move all such files to the Trash.

    Log out or restart the computer and empty the Trash.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C. In the Finder, select

              Go Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You may not see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Dec 23, 2015 12:23 PM in response to MacDan2
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 23, 2015 12:23 PM in response to MacDan2

    FYI - Malware bites was developed by one of our own colleagues here in ASC. It gets rave reviews and is about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 23, 2015 12:25 PM in response to MacDan2
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Dec 23, 2015 12:25 PM in response to MacDan2

    If you're confused by some of the misinformation in this thread, please see below.

    ...MacUpdate, long considered to be one of the only remaining trustworthy download aggregation sites for the Mac, has succumbed to the same plague that has ruined most of the others: adware. ...

     

    Download.com (formerly VersionTracker) and Softonic have both been engaging in this kind of behavior for some time, and for this reason, Mac experts have been recommending against the use of such sites. Although it’s generally recommended to only download software from the developer’s site (such as skype.com in the case of Skype), some have continued to recommend MacUpdate, which hasn’t engaged in such behavior… until now. It appears MacUpdate may need to be added to the boycott list.


    The oft-repeated advice for those looking for software to download bears repeating once again: only download apps from the Mac App Store or from the official developer’s website.

    https://blog.malwarebytes.org/news/2015/11/has-macupdate-fallen-to-the-adware-pl ague/

  • by rachel.polanco,

    rachel.polanco rachel.polanco Jan 19, 2016 5:13 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2016 5:13 PM in response to Linc Davis

    thank YOU!!

  • by nascar4mom,

    nascar4mom nascar4mom Mar 2, 2016 11:44 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 2, 2016 11:44 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you!

  • by Crosboro7,

    Crosboro7 Crosboro7 Jun 8, 2016 6:33 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 8, 2016 6:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Last night, MacKeeper popped up along with something else, and now I keep getting a sidebar saying what else in on the net.  I also get a new tab opening that says:

    Your system is infected with (3) Viruses!

    8 June 2016

    Your (Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan) is infected with (3) Viruses. The pre-scan found traces of (2) malware and (1) phishing/spyware. System damage: 28.1% - Immediate removal required!

     

    The removal of (3) Viruses is required immediately to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.

     

    Traces of  (1) Phishing/Spyware were found on your (Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan). Personal and banking information are at risk.



    I can't get rid of this, and I can't find the "system" icon on my Mac.  There is supposed to be a way to delete all history by going into "system" and then Safari, then delete everything.  Where is the system icon?  I also don't believe the message above is from Apple. 

    Help!

    Thanks!!

  • by JMB404,

    JMB404 JMB404 Aug 18, 2016 8:33 AM in response to gunitafterscience
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2016 8:33 AM in response to gunitafterscience

    Thank You!  I am not the most tech savvy person and I have been trying to eradicate this intrusive program for months!  Your "tip" took care of the problem in minutes!  I can't express enough my gratitude!  Thank you!!

  • by wjdcr,

    wjdcr wjdcr Oct 2, 2016 6:37 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Oct 2, 2016 6:37 PM in response to Linc Davis

    thank you!