Is there a list of Spy Ware or other malicious stuff I can look for in my computer

I want to eliminate the Spy Ware or other malicious stuff that ends up on my computer. I know I can look in "Library" etc but I do not know what to look for. I would really appreciate if someone could tell me WHERE to look for a list of malicious downloads, etc that I can look for and eliminate on my computer. THEN, I would appreciate it if someone could tell me OTHER ways to look for them, locate them and eliminate them

AirPort Extreme-OTHER, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 12:34 PM

Reply
11 replies

Sep 10, 2016 6:47 PM in response to konagal

Once upon a time, I used to maintain a set of removal instructions for all manner of common adware. But the problem has grown too large and too complex, and it is no longer easy to reliably tell people how to remove these kinds of things. I saw enough people completely screw up their systems by failing to follow easy directions properly... I won't be responsible for more complex instructions at this point.


That's why I ended up writing tools to do the job instead.


If Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac isn't finding anything, most likely that means you don't have anything to find. What is it that you're concerned is on your computer, and why?

Sep 11, 2016 3:12 PM in response to konagal

I fear my ex put a spy ware on my computer. While talking to someone on messenger on Facebook they said my ex knew everything I had written and not by anyone telling them. I downloaded AVG Antivirus and it found 3 trojan viruses.


It is literally impossible for any program or utility to guarantee the absence of such malicious interference. The only possible result of an in-depth examination of your Mac would be to identify the presence of a keylogger or similar eavesdropping software. However, consider the following hypothetical result if you were to find such a product installed. Upon careful research you subsequently uninstall it, and conclude your Mac has thereby been rendered secure. Meanwhile, your ex planted additional software that isn't as easily discovered, and it remains active.


Nothing short of erasing that Mac completely and reconfiguring it as a new machine should be acceptable to you. However, even that cannot guarantee the absence of hardware devices that can effectively accomplish data theft. There are also countless, but less technologically involved ways of eavesdropping, and they don't even involve a Mac.


"AVG" will do absolutely nothing beneficial and will only cause other, unrelated problems. It may also prove difficult to uninstall. Besides being grammatically incorrect, its uninstallation instructions do not work, a typical characteristic of garbage software. Don't Google anything and don't install anything. Your problems are not going to be solved by doing that. They will only make things worse.


In light of that information, perhaps you should reconsider your question and ask for appropriate guidance. Bear in mind that unauthorized use of someone else's computer is a criminal offense, and has been for many years.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Is there a list of Spy Ware or other malicious stuff I can look for in my computer

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.