ANY MALICIOUS PROGRAMS? PLEASE HELP.

AMCarter3 wrote:

You might try using a hard drive search tool like "EasyFind". It is free and very easy to use. I've used it for years to find, for example, the support files related to any application that I want to delete from my "Mac". See: https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11076/easyfind

Do NOT download from these "free" download sites like MacUpdate (see below)

EasyFind on the Mac App Store

Beware of "choosing" to remove these TINY supporting files unless you are VERY expert in what they do (and don't do) - if a Mac's storage is "full", it is from large files like images & videos

MacUpdate Distributes Mac Crypto-Mining Malware | SecurityWeek.Com

https://www.securityweek.com/macupdate-distributes-mac-crypto-mining-malware

Uninstall DetectX and use Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is the only product I recommend for malware. It was developed by one of our own colleagues here in ASC and is about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes and run a scan: Malwarebytes | Free Cyber Security & Anti-Malware Software

Clear ALL of your cookies in Safari>Preferences>Privacy>Manage Website Data.

Delete ALL extensions (don't try to determine which one is the problem and just delete them all—important ones can be re-added from legitimate download links later).

Check all of the boxes under 'Website Tracking' in Safari>Preferences>Privacy.

Check the box marked 'Warn when visiting a fraudulent website' in Safari>Preferences>Security.

Remove ALL plugins that you do not recognize from Safari>Preferences>Websites under the 'Plug-ins' menu on the lower left-hand side.

Malwarebytes does a fine job on a PC too - found a PUP just this morning & occasionally blocks websites that seem innocent in Google results (a benefit of real-time protection = new-ish for the Mac version)

It used to be the only one I recommended until I saw several infected with malware that took over/infected & disabled Malwarebytes, on top of all else.

After extensive research, I found Komros Anti Malware from the App store & surprisingly, it's a lot less than Malwarebytes. Komros knocked all malware out including that which had taken over Malwarebytes, and consistently provides protection from us humans who want to use our internet carefully yet with freedom, while feeling secure. Regardless, we may pick up that one type of malware that just won't let go & gets embedded due to ad sites, etc. I've noticed many pick it up when streaming tv shows or movies via Safari. Another primary cause is the false Adobe pop up that people click on unknowingly or naively, as they think it's truly Adobe.com

I still highly recommend Malwarebytes for low-med prevention and always, as a viable option, but after seeing the severity of some malware on several Macs, I've decided to stay with a program that not only can be downloaded directly through the app store but time & again, has proven its effectiveness.

I've never seen anything attack a Mac that couldn't be solved by disabling extensions. It's possible, but not likely. And I've not really heard of Malwarebytes being overridden unless you don't update it.

Ain't so bad anymore...

I have been on a Dell laptop/Win10 for a couple of years - day-in & day-out - only one catastrophe requiring recovery from last Windoze update (knocking on fine furniture now)

They make disposable gloves these days

liv0123 wrote:

I've decided to stay with a program that not only can be downloaded directly through the app store but time & again, has proven its effectiveness.

My understanding is that the reason Malwarebytes is not in the AppStore is because if it conformed to AppStore standards it wouldn't be able to do it's job effectively. It needs to scan files that are excluded by AppStore requirements.

You might try using a hard drive search tool like "EasyFind". It is free and very easy to use. I've used it for years to find, for example, the support files related to any application that I want to delete from my "Mac". See: https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11076/easyfind

I seriously question the recommendations for Malwarebytes. I get that it is respected by a lot of people. I even used it once years ago to remove some adware. However, to say that it is "about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac" is not true. In fact, I challenge anyone to produce concrete evaluation evidence that Malwarebytes is more effective than any of the popular security apps available (i.e., Sophos Home, AVG, Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, etc.).

If you track the comparision studies, such as at AV-Comparatives <https://www.av-comparatives.org/>, Malwarebytes cannot be found. I asked Malwarebytes developer why. He told me it is because the comparison studies cannot evaluate what it is designed to accomplish. Say what? Are you kidding? I'm not knocking Malwarebytes. I'm just challenging anyone to produce concrete evidence that it is better than its competition.

macjack wrote:

liv0123 wrote:

I've decided to stay with a program that not only can be downloaded directly through the app store but time & again, has proven its effectiveness.

My understanding is that the reason Malwarebytes is not in the AppStore is because if it conformed to AppStore standards it wouldn't be able to do it's job effectively. It needs to scan files that are excluded by AppStore requirements.

makes one wonder how "other" competing apps do their job effectively - O! Wait! - they don't! 😉

AMCarter3 wrote:

I seriously question the recommendations for Malwarebytes. I get that it is respected by a lot of people. I even used it once years ago to remove some adware. However, to say that it is "about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac" is not true. In fact, I challenge anyone to produce concrete evaluation evidence that Malwarebytes is more effective than any of the popular security apps available (i.e., Sophos Home, AVG, Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, etc.).

If you track the comparision studies, such as at AV-Comparatives <https://www.av-comparatives.org/>, Malwarebytes cannot be found. I asked Malwarebytes developer why. He told me it is because the comparison studies cannot evaluate what it is designed to accomplish. Say what? Are you kidding? I'm not knocking Malwarebytes. I'm just challenging anyone to produce concrete evidence that it is better than its competition.

Kapersky is Russian.

Kaspersky Lab Has Been Working With Russian Intelligence - Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-11/kaspersky-lab-has-been-workin g-with-russian-intelligence

I have seen MANY threads where the apps that you mention have caused problems that are very hard to fix. There are no viruses that affect MacOS in the wild

MB4M only recently added "real-time protection" - a user had to "run it" to detect and remove adware & malware

It is NOT anti-VIRUS

What Malwarebytes developer? Here? Name? (we know it, do you?)

Apple Support specialists have been recommending MB4M for years on the phone - since it was called AdwareMedic

I don't just have it bc it came from the App store, but I did note it as I know some refuse to download anything unless it's from there. Thus, that addition-to reassure the overly cautious, etc. But, I definitely download outside of the App store personally, just with great care & the proper credentials naturally. Otherwise, I'd be much too limited on my usage.

Thanks for bringing that up for clarification ~

And, your point is? Lol. It obviously works or I'd not be specifying it.

This is why we all have opinions I suppose and some, are biased- I try to remain open-minded & find out for myself; however, "each their own".

But the fact is, I simply wanted to help by sharing my own experience, along with innumerable clients' experencies, regarding another proven software that runs cleanly and securely while being extremely effective - rare find nowadays. It's always good to have options. I was just sharing the love & passing our good find & fortune forward to the OP & others who like a selection to choose from 🤗

Good to know. I wear gloves if I have to use a PC and burn the gloves after use. 😁