MRT eating up memory/No match with Malware Removal Tool

Question

Level 1

19 points

MRT eating up memory/No match with Malware Removal Tool

Hi, guys! MRT is eating up all my memory. I tried everything suggested concerning 'Malware Removal Tool' but it seems there is no match with my process: terminal commands don't shut it down,
and when I try to remove it in the finder directories, there is no such element there to remove in the specified directory. I am working on a Macbook Pro end 2011 series, El Capitan.

Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!

Matthias.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 25, 2017 9:50 AM

Reply

Answer 1

matomic Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 25, 2017 11:52 AM in response to seventy one

Ok, maybe my initial question was a bit unclear, sorry for that.

I never used MRT, I am not planning on using it and as far as I know, it's not even installed on my mac.
There is no name/directory/... whatsoever that does look anything like that app.
I always used Malwarebytes app as long as I already have my mac. The problem is simply put the image below: there's a process in my activity monitor called 'MRT' that as from today is automatically turned on, which drives my memory crazy. I'd just like to know what it is and how I can permanently disable/remove it. I don't think it is the Malware Removal Tool because I tried to remove that as mentioned in the Apple community, but I couldn't even find a name/directory/whatever that matches with the Malware Removal Tool, so I assume it's something different.

Reply

Answer 2

seventy one

Level 7

27,460 points

Aug 25, 2017 10:00 AM in response to matomic

The Malware removal tool you are referring to is one of many intended for Windows from what I see. If you are using a Mac with El capitan, you need to use the Malwarebytes tool as here ...

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

If you are messing about with the products you name I am not surprised you are having difficulty. You don't need to be in Terminal either. It can be a death trap for the inexperienced, though I appreciate that may not describe yourself.

Reply

Answer 3

matomic Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 25, 2017 10:16 AM in response to seventy one

I did not use the Malware Removal Tool myself, I actually just googled the 'MRT' process to see what came up. MRT never showed up before today in my activity monitor and I didn't know what it was or how to find out. All I could find was info regarding the Malware Removal Tool. If you could enlighten me on what it could be and how to stop it, that would be really helpful. Just stopping it in activity monitor doesn't do the job. Thanks in advance.

Reply

Answer 4

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Aug 25, 2017 10:36 PM in response to matomic

MRT v1.20 has just been posted, replacing v1.21 which obviously has a problem. These updates only occur every 24 hours while your computer is awake, so it may take some time for this fix to make it to your computer.

Reply

Answer 5

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Aug 26, 2017 2:51 AM in response to matomic

Hard to say. I believe Apple is well aware of it, but it looks like the older version they posted today will not overwrite the one you have, so it's probably there only to prevent users who did not get v1.21 yet from downloading. They may have to fix the problem and post a v2.22 before your issue is permanently fixed when they get back to work on it.

I've read that some users have had success by running the aforementioned Malwarebytes for Mac which removes whatever adware/malware the MRT is struggling with. Have you tried that yet? The only other fix that I'm aware of is time consuming and complicated.

Reply

Answer 6

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,233 points

Aug 26, 2017 4:44 PM in response to matomic

Better yet, Apple has now released MRT v1.22 which hopefully will solve everybody's problems.

It normally takes up to 24-hours for the update to be applied, but you can speed things up by copying and pasting the following command into a Terminal window. The Terminal app is in /Applications/Utilities/

sudo softwareupdate --background

You will be asked for your admin password. When you enter it nothing will be seen. Just hit enter after typing it.

The only feedback you get will be "Triggering background check with normal scan ..." and it may take up to five minutes before the background process completes. You can follow it's progress, if you want, by viewing your install.log in the Console application.

Reply

Answer 7

seventy one

Level 7

27,460 points

Aug 25, 2017 10:24 AM in response to matomic

The blue link I gave you in my first post will download the true Malwarebytes app that you can apply safely.

Reply

Answer 8

matomic Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 26, 2017 2:43 AM in response to MadMacs0

So is this a problem that should solve itself within the next couple of days?

Reply

Answer 9

matomic Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 26, 2017 7:08 AM in response to MadMacs0

Yes I have tried Malwarebytes scan but nothing was detected... so if you have any alternative options even if they're time consuming I'd like to hear them. Thanks in advance.

Reply