According to Malwarebytes, 2017 saw a 230% spike in malware activity within Mac ecosystem. The notable examples include Proton Remote Access Trojan and KeRanger virus. But whatever is that ends with “-ware” on your Mac — ransomware, adware, malware, or scareware — we’ll share a couple of methods to delete it. So, welcome to our Mac Malware Removal Guide.
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- Adware Cleaner is an application that helps you find and remove adware from your Mac. You may want to check out more software for Mac, such as Thor Adware Cleaner - Malware and Adware Remover, Adware Medic or Swiftly-Clean, which might be similar to Adware Cleaner.
- Adware Cleaner scans for and removes code that degrades system performance or attacks your system. Making your Mac, once again, your Mac. Adware Cleaner will help find and remove adware from your Mac.
Mac malware: The symptoms
Oftentimes a malware app would trick you into believing it’s perfectly harmless. Such apps are known to disguise themselves as antiviruses, extractors or video players. But how to check your Mac for viruses? Here are some of the tell-tale signs:
- A sudden drop in Mac’s performance or frequent freeze-ups.
- Pages that you visit get obscured with ads.
- Unexpected Mac reboots or apps starting for no reason.
- Your browser installs suspicious updates automatically.
How to remove a virus from Mac
Just as with any disease, to doctor a virus you need to remove the infected part of your software — as simple as that.
Remove malware from Mac manually
If you know which app on your Mac is malicious, you’re half-way through the problem. First of all, you need to close the app and then root it out from the system processes.
- Open Activity Monitor (type its name in the Launchpad).
- Locate the problematic app in the Processes.
- Use [x] button to quit the process
Now go back to your Applications and move the app to the Trash bin. Immediately empty the Trash.
This method is simple, but for the best malware removal results, you’d have to invest a bit more time. There are still parts and pieces of the virus app scattered around your system folders. It’s a bit like killing a dragon that re-grows its head after you’ve chopped it off. To remove malware from your Mac completely, it’s better to use a powerful uninstaller.
QUICK TIP:
Do a quick search for virus-infected .DMG files within your Downloads. The potential culprits could be recently downloaded files, especially media-related ones. Delete them and empty the Trash bin.
Do a quick search for virus-infected .DMG files within your Downloads. The potential culprits could be recently downloaded files, especially media-related ones. Delete them and empty the Trash bin.
Get rid of malware using CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X has a 10-year reputation of guarding Macs around the world. The app will scan your Mac for any vulnerabilities and offer immediate removal if it finds something suspicious. CleanMyMac detects thousands of malware threats, including viruses, adware, spyware, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, and more. The app’s database is regularly updated to keep all those “-wares” away from your Mac.
Here’s how to remove malware from your Mac:
- Download CleanMyMac X — it’s free to download.
- Click Malware Removal tab.
- Click Scan.
- Click Remove.
- Done!
How to remove Mac Adware cleaner
Ironically, the app called “Mac Adware cleaner” maybe itself be the very source of annoying adware on your Mac — the classic case of a wolf in a sheep’s skin. To remove it, you can use CleanMyMac (which is a legit app that has a 4.5-star rating from MacWorld magazine). Additionally, you can browse through your Login Items list to stop any dubious apps from auto-launching. Below is how to do it.
Remove Mac malware from your Login Items
Most adware or spyware will try to sneak inside the bootup process. Good news, you don’t have to be Kaspersky to prevent this.
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- Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences
- Choose Users & Groups section
- Make sure if your username is highlighted
- Open Login Items tab
Now use the “—” sign to disable all the suspicious apps (like Mac Defenders) that you’ll find. Restart your Mac for the changes to take place.
How to get rid of pop-up ads on Mac
Advertising pop-ups are browser-related, so whatever browser you are using, be prepared for a thorough cleanup. First off, don’t buy into whatever the ad is telling you. Some scary alerts would mention 343 viruses found on your Mac forcing you to immediately install a “Mac Defender” or “Mac Security” tool. Just ignore it and don’t click anywhere on the pop-up. Use [x] button and if it doesn’t close the ad, Ctrl + click the browser icon to quit the browser completely.
QUICK TIP: Hold the Shift key when starting a new Safari session. This way all your previous tabs (including the ad pop-up) will not be reopened.
How to block pop-up ads in Safari
- Open Safari preferences (in the top menu)
- Go to the Security tab
- Tick “Block pop-up windows”
How to get rid of pop-ups in Chrome
- Open Chrome Settings (a three-dot icon)
- Click Advanced
- Go to Privacy and security > Content setting
- Locate the Popups tab and block them from appearing
Additionally, make sure your browser’s homepage is set to standard Google page or other trusted source.
Clean up extensions to remove adware from Mac
Apple lists several browser extensions as potentially malicious. The list includes:
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This is just to give you an idea how different these adware extensions could be. But if you’re looking how to remove malware from Mac Safari browser, follow this path.
Remove extensions in Safari
- Go to Safari Preferences
- Choose the Extensions tab
- Select an extension and click Uninstall
Disable browser extensions in Chrome
And here’s how to remove malware from Mac Chrome. Open Chrome and click Window in the top menu. In the bottom of the list choose Extensions. This opens up the list of all your installed extensions. Now use a trash bin icon to remove the ones you suspect are adware viruses. Right after that, your Chrome experience should get much less distracting.
Just to be doubly sure, we recommend you to remove all the extensions you'll find. Later you can re-install each one separately.
Launch Agents and Daemons: Where else to look
So far we’ve covered browser Extensions, Applications, and Login Items trying to remove malware from your Mac. But these are not the only locations where malicious agents may be hiding. Another type of system services that could be affected by malware are the so-called Launch Agents and Daemons — yes, the name does derive from the word demon. These are small helper programs that stealthily run in the background, like software updaters or automatic backups.
While Launch Agents and Daemons are two different entities, both can be infiltrated by malware. As it often happens, trojan apps would place their executable files within the Launch Agents folder. The result — the virus app launches automatically and potentially harms or steals your data.
How to remove daemons and agents from the Mac’s startup
- Click Finder
- Choose Go > Go to Folder
- Type in: /Library/LaunchDaemons
For Launch Agents, repeat the steps above, but this time search in 2 more locations:
/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/LaunchAgents
Inside you’ll find a bunch of PLIST files and if some of them look suspicious to you, delete them. Sure, the names of these files may not be very telling, but if you already know the problematic app that you are after, knowing this folder may help you fully extinguish it.
Don’t forget to reboot your Mac — until you do, all these files are still in memory.
One more way to remove daemons, agents, and plug-ins
If the manual path described here sounds too complicated, you can again be rescued by CleanMyMac X. This app has a special tool to remove malware Launch Agents.
- Download CleanMyMac X (it’s free to download).
- Install the app.
- Click Optimization tab > Launch Agents
- Click Perform.
By the way this app has a real-time anti-malware monitor. It monitors for any problematic apps that try to get into your Launch Agents. If it finds such, it will notify you and offer to remove the intruder.
If all else fails
Below a few more ideas to help you remove malware from Mac.
- Switch to a different user account and do a full system cleanup.
- Restore your Mac using Time Machine (to the point before it got infected).
- Update all your software , including the macOS.
OK, looks we’ve covered how to remove malware from Mac including both manual and software solutions. Hope your Mac stays virus-free and may you never click on those scary Mac alerts again.
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What is Adware.MAC.OSX.Agent?
Adware.MAC.OSX.Agent is an adware infection. Adware refers to unwanted applications that generate revenue for their creators by displaying advertisements on users’ computers. Adware is most commonly installed using a deceptive software marketing method called ‘bundling’. Users are tricked into believing that they are downloading a Flash Player update, or other popular free software, but often do not notice other unwanted applications attached to the installation steps of the software they initially downloaded. By not paying enough attention to installation steps, many users inadvertently install adware onto their systems.
Adware comes in many forms such as fake Chromium-based browsers, weather forecast widgets, toolbars, etc. The behaviour of adware applications often varies. Some bombard Internet browsers with pop-up ads, whilst others stealthily track users’ browsing behaviour and send the recorded information to advertisers. Some might add a ‘virtual layer’ to websites that users visit and display additional banner ads.
How to know if your Mac is infected with adware?
- Pop-up ads appear while browsing the Internet. Although this could be normal, look for pop-up ads that seem out of place or inappropriate – for example, a pop-up ad opens when visiting Google.com.
- Your Internet browsers have slowed down (most adware programs are poorly programmed and their presence significantly reduces browser performance).
- Legitimate websites show dubious ads. Adware applications use a ‘virtual layer’ over everyday legitimate sites to display various ads. For example, you should be suspicious if you visit google.com and see banner ads promoting gambling or adult content.
- You see new extensions or toolbars that you did not install. Adware applications commonly install various toolbars and browser add-ons that redirect users to specific Internet searches or display advertisements. For example, rather than going through google.com, Internet searches are redirected to yahoo.com or bing.com.
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Appearance of a fake Flash Player update pop-up distributing adware infections:
How did Adware.MAC.OSX.Agent install on my Mac?
The most common source of adware infections are free. software download websites, fake Flash Player updates, and torrent download sites. For example, after downloading a popular player from a software download website, users might rush through the installation steps not noticing that they are, by default, agreeing to install various toolbars and other adware together with the downloaded app.
Owners of download websites add a ‘download agent’ or ‘custom installer’ that “offers” (sometimes in a very deceptive way) installation of additional applications (most commonly, adware) together with the downloaded free software. Deceptive pop-up ads are another common source of adware used to trick users into downloading supposedly useful apps (for example, weather forecast widgets). In fact, the main purpose of these apps is to display ads and generate revenue for their developers.
Appearance of a deceptive free software installer that is bundling adware infections:
How to avoid installation of adware?
To minimise the chances of Mac infection by adware, download free, software from developers’ websites only. Do not search for software cracks or use Torrent websites. Never trust Internet pop-up ads asking you to update software (for example, Flash or Java) – these ads are often part of a scam and you will download trojans and adware, rather than any software update. When installing free software, be attentive and check all advanced/expert installation options, since these might reveal potential installation of adware.
Automatic Adware.MAC.OSX.Agent removal:
Manual adware removal can be a lengthy and risky process that involves removing files from various locations on the system. Combo Cleaner is award-winning Mac antivirus software that can detect and remove Adware.MAC.OSX.Agent automatically. Click the button below to download Combo Cleaner:
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Free Scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove threats, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner
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Manual Adware.MAC.OSX.Agent removal:
1. Click on any blank space on your desktop, then select “Go” from the top menu.
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2. Select “Go to folder“…
2. Select “Go to folder“…
In the opened window, individually paste the lines shown below. In the opened folders, look for adware generated files and remove them. Look for recently-added files that seem out of place. Here are some examples of malware generated files: “com.MyMacUpdater.agent.plist“, “com.MyShopcoupon.agent.plist“, etc.
Here’s a list of folders commonly used by adware infections:
- /Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/Application
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/LaunchDaemons
Here’s a sample of how a folder with adware files looks like:
Adware removal using Activity Monitor:
1. Open you Launchpad, select “Other“, in the opened list select “Activity Monitor“.
2. In Activity Monitor look for any suspicious process name, when located double click on it.
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3. In the opened window click the “Sample” button. This will open an additional window where you will see a line starting with “Path:” Select the path of the suspicious process (select the path, then right click your mouse over the selection and click “copy“).
4. Click on any blank space on your desktop, then select “Go” from the top menu.
5. From the “Go” menu select “Go to Folder…“, in the opened window paste the path of the suspicious process you copied previously.
6. From the opened folder: drag and drop the file of the suspicious process to your trash can.
Some adware applications install unwanted browser extensions that allow them to display unwanted advertisements or redirect users’ Internet searches. The next step when dealing with adware infections is removal of rogue browser extensions:
Remove rogue browser extensions from Safari:
Step 1 Open your Safari browser. Click on Safari (top menu) and select “Preferences” from the list.
Step 2 In the preferences window select “Extensions” and remove all suspicious extensions by clicking “Uninstall“.
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Remove rogue browser extensions from Google Chrome:
Step 1 Open your Google Chrome browser and click on the three dots symbol. From the opened list select “More Tools” and then “Extensions“.
Step 2 In the opened window look for suspicious extensions and click on “Remove” button next to them.
Remove rogue browser extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
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Step 1 Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. Click on the three lines symbol. From the opened list select “Add-ons“.
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Step 2 In the opened window look for suspicious add-ons and remove them by clicking “Remove” button next to them.