- Best Mac Malware Removal Software
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Sophos Home Free — Best for Overall macOS Protection & Free Parental Controls. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a robust and well-equipped virus removal software. It can operate on Windows, Mac, and Android OS. This antivirus contains a variety of useful features to make sure your system is protected and operates smoothly. The team keeps updating its software to achieve the best results.
According to a study done by Kaspersky, the Shlayer malware is the most popular malware that attacks Macs nowadays. When a Mac is infected with the malware through fake Adobe Flash updates, the Any Search bar is installed and deployed on the computer of the victim. But what is this Shlayer malware on Macs all about?
What Is Shlayer?
You may ask, 'Is Shlayer a virus?' The answer is YES.
Shlayer is a type of Trojan virus designed to distribute different adware, launch fake search engines, and install potentially unwanted applications. Although it is usually disguised as an Adobe Flash Player installer, it may take other forms, such as software cracking tools, as well.
Once Shlayer makes it to a Mac, it causes a plethora of problems, including invasive advertisements that point to malicious sites and run scripts that download malware and fake-search engines that collect sensitive information, such as IP addresses, pages viewed, geo-locations, and other personal details, from users. Microsoft office 2016 16 11 – popular productivity suite free.
Linux podcast recording software. It is believed that this virus can be acquired by visiting Torrent sites that flash various intrusive ads and entice you to download deceptive files. Don't worry, though. No matter how damaging this Trojan virus may be, you can always get rid of it or prevent it from harming your Mac.
How to Remove Shlayer from Macs
If you suspect that this malicious Trojan virus has harmed your Mac, below are some Shlayer removal methods you can try:
Method #1: Remove Shlayer Without the Use of Any Third-Party App
Yes, it is possible to remove Shlayer without the involvement of any third-party app. First, you need to uninstall any suspicious apps using Finder. And then, delete the Trojan from Safari, Firefox, and Chrome.
Delete Any Suspicious Apps Using Finder
Regardless of your macOS version, the process of removing malware and adware is generally the same. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Open Finder and select Applications.
- At this point, a list of all installed apps on your Mac will open. Go through the list and remove any unknown and suspicious-looking apps. Right-click on any dubious app and click Move to Trash. Alternatively, drag the app to the Trash folder.
Delete the Shlayer Trojan from Safari, Firefox, and Chrome
Are random pages opened upon the launch of your web browser? Are intrusive ads popping at random while browsing the web? Then it is likely that the Shlayer Trojan has attacked your Mac.
The Shlayer Trojan may change your web browser's settings without your knowledge. You may even be redirected to a suspicious website and see additional toolbars and extensions. But it's no reason to panic. What you should do is revert your browser's default settings.
To delete the Shlayer Trojan from Safari, here's what you should do:
- Open Safari.
- Click on its menu and choose Preferences. This will launch the Safari Preferences window.
- Navigate to the Extensions tab and look for any suspicious extensions installed. If you find one, click on it and hit Uninstall. Do this with all other dubious extensions on Safari.
- Once done, navigate to the General tab. Change the value under Default Search Engine to Google.
To delete the Shlayer Trojan from Mozilla Firefox, here's what you should do:
- Launch Mozilla Firefox.
- Click on the Menu button.
- At this point, a drop-down menu should display on your screen. Click the question mark (?) icon.
- Select Troubleshooting Information. If you cannot see this option, type about:support into the address bar and hit Enter.
- Choose Refresh Firefox.
- You will be asked to confirm your action. Click Refresh Firefox again.
- Mozilla Firefox will now begin to fix any issues that are triggered by the Shlayer Trojan. Once done, hit the Finish button.
To delete the Shlayer Trojan from Google Chrome, here's what you should do:
- Launch Google Chrome.
- Click the three-dotted menu and choose More Tools.
- Go to Extensions.
- Go through the list of extensions currently installed on Google Chrome. If you see an add-on that is signed with Installed by your administrator or Installed by enterprise policy, then remove it.
- Next, open the three-dotted menu again and select Settings.
- Scroll down and click Advanced.
- Look for the Reset section and hit Reset.
- Chrome will now begin the clean-up process. Once it is finished, its search engine, new tab page, and home page settings will be set back to their respective default values.
Method #2: Remove the Shlayer Trojan Using Antivirus Software
If you wish to remove the Shlayer Trojan the quick and easy way, then install an antivirus tool. You can always get one for free, but make sure that you download antivirus software from the website of its official developer to avoid problems in the long run. With legit and reliable antivirus software, browser hijackers, unwanted programs, adware software, and Trojans won't stand a chance.
Method #3: Remove All Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs)
The Shlayer Trojan can disguise itself as a potentially unwanted application, so be sure your Mac is free of any PUAs.
To remove PUAs from your Mac, follow these steps:
- Click Finder to open a Finder window.
- Choose Applications.
- In the window that opens, look for NicePlayer, Mplayer, or other suspicious apps. If you see one, drag it to Trash.
- Now, scan your Mac to check if there are still unwanted components associated with the suspicious apps.
Best Mac Malware Removal Software
Method #4: Remove All Shlayer Trojan-Related Files and Folders
Do you think there are still Shlayer Trojan-related files and folders hiding on your Mac? Then here's what you should do:
- Click Finder and navigate to Go > Go to Folder.
- In the text field, input /Library/LaunchAgents.
- Look for any suspicious files and move them to Some files you need to find are the following:
- Installmac.AppRemoval.plist
- Myppes.download.plist
- Mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist
- Kuklorest.update.plist
- Next, go to the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder.
- Look for any suspicious files and move them to Trash. Examples of these files are:
- com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist
- com.myppes.net-preferences.plist
- com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist
- Com.avickUpd.plist
How to Prevent the Installation of Shlayer
To prevent the installation of Shlayer and other potentially harmful applications, pay caution when browsing the web, especially when downloading, updating, or installing software. Always remember that intrusive advertisements are often disguised as legitimate ones. Once clicked, they will only redirect you to suspicious websites.
In the event that you download dubious apps or extensions, remove them right away. Should there be a need to update an application, make sure you download the required updates from the official website of the app's developer.
Also, be sure to have a trusted anti-malware tool installed and running on your Mac. It will help detect and eliminate viruses and malware entities before they cause harm to your Mac.
Wrapping Up
Now, your Mac should be free of the annoying Shlayer Trojan and other possible threats. Again, the key to Mac safety is caution. As long as you think before you click, then your files and data will remain safe.
Do you know other ways to remove the Shlayer Trojan? Let us know in the comments!
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There is a popular opinion that Mac systems are inherently more secure than Windows. In fact, most Mac users don't even bother to use an antivirus or anti-malware software. Objectively speaking, that opinion may or may not be true. Mainly because that depends on a variety of factors like the number of Mac users, how they use their system, how computer literate they are, etc. However, over the past few years, the threats to Mac users have been increasing, thanks to quickly spearing malware, ransomware, and adware.
Read: Best Malware Removal Tools For Windows
Avoid MacKeeper
I bet you might have seen ads on websites (mostly porn sites), telling you to clean your Mac with MacKeeper. And while it's legitimate software (as in not a virus), but it's nonetheless useless and a waste of resources. Also, uninstalling MacKeeper isn't easy as well. So, no matter what you do, avoid MacKeeper at any cost.
Instead, it is essential that you use a good anti-malware software so that not only you can be safe but also avoid spreading malware, ransomware, and viruses to other users. Here are some of the best anti-malware software for mac.
Read: How I Removed Malware From my WordPress Site
Best Anti Malware for Mac
1. Malwarebytes
When it comes to dealing with malware and other nasty stuff like rootkits, there is no other software that more popular than Malwarebytes. Other than it being able to remove malware from Mac effectively, the best thing about Malwarebytes is that it plays nice with your other antivirus software if you've already installed any. In fact, most users including me use Malwarebytes as a backup and perform weekly scans just to make sure that the system hasn't been infected or has infected files.
To scan your system all you have to do is install the application, launch it and hit the scan button. As soon as you hit the button, it can do a quick scan for malware, PUPs (potentially unwanted programs), rootkits, adware, spyware, virus, etc., both in your system memory and hard disk. If it finds any threats, it will automatically quarantine those threats.
For in-depth scanning, select the custom scan option. Do keep in mind that the custom scan can take a couple of hours depending on the amount of data you have on your hard disk.
Download Malwarebytes (free, $40 for pro version)
2. Systweak Anti-Malware
Systweak Anti-Malware is a dedicated malware scanning and removal software for MacOS. Just like Malwarebytes, Systweak Anti-Malware scans for malware, rootkits, viruses, and adware in your hard disk and system memory. Once it finds a threat, it automatically quarantines it. If you know that Systweak Anti-Malware quarantined a false positive, you can restore the file or app with just a single click. For regular, deep, or custom scans, you can create custom schedules.
Best Malware Software For Mac
If you know a file or folder to be safe, you can exclude them from scanning avoiding any possible false positives by adding them to the exclude list. Of course, Systweak Anti-Malware always runs in the background and protects your Mac system from malware and PUPs in real-time. Other features of the software include start-up scan, memory scan, and beginner friendly user interface.
So, if you unsatisfied or looking for a good alternative for Malwarebytes you should try Systweak Anti-Malware.
Download Systweak Anti-Malware ($40)
3. Bitdefender
Bitdefender is another popular software to protect your mac from various threats like malware, virus, trojans, adware, spyware, unwanted software, and much more. The best thing about Bitdefender is that apart from protecting you from regular threats, it can actively scan in multiple layers and protect your system from ransomware. Other than that, Bitdefender can also keep an eye on cross-platform threats so that you don't unintentionally spread malware, virus, or other infected files to your friends, colleagues or family.
Since Bitdefender always runs in the background, it can block any and all threats in real-time. Of course, Bitdefender also scans your system occasionally. If needed, you can create custom schedules with various configurations and scan settings. Bitdefender also has other features like backup protection, safe files, parental controls, secure shopping protection, etc.
Simply put, if you need a full-fledged software that can do much more than blocking and removing malware then give Bitdefender a try.
Download Bitdefender ($50 – $70 according to the version you choose)
4. Avast
Malware Software For Mac
Just like Bitdefender, Avast is not just an anti-malware software, it is a anti-virus software that can scan and protect your system from a wide range of threats. In fact, if you've ever searched for a anti-virus software, you should have definitely heard about Avast.
Using Avast you can regularly scan your system and create your own schedules to better protect your system. Along with anti-malware security, Avast can also protect your system from infected emails, unprotect WiFi network, and ransomware. Other features of the software include real-time protection, detailed security reports, browser protection, ability to shield you from dangerous downloads and PUPs, etc.
As good as the software is, while using Avast, you should be ready for a little bit of performance dip, at least, that is my experience while using Avast. Other than that, Avast is a pretty good and reputed software to protect Mac system from online and offline threats.
Download Avast (free, $70 for pro version)
5. AVG
https://guguhead256.weebly.com/sims-4-cc-bun.html. AVG is yet another popular software that can protect you from malware, viruses, trojans, adware, and other threats. The good thing about AVG is that you can scan your system for threats related to Mac, Windows, and Android so that you don't spread viruses or malware to other systems. Also, thanks to the simple and minimal design, using AVG to scan or create scanning schedules is pretty easy and straightforward. Moreover, unlike Avast, AVG always runs in the background and provides real-time protection for free.
As good as it is, when you try to download AVG from the official site, you will be redirected to the CNET website. So, be careful while installing it on your system as CNET has a habit of bundling adware and other toolbars along with the software you are trying to install.
If you are looking for all-around protection with real-time threat analysis and blocking then you should go with AVG.
Download AVG (free)
6. Sophos Home
Another popular opinion amongst Mac users which is more than just an Anti-Malware. Sophos Home comes with a bunch of extra features including a live chat support.
Sophos offers features like Anti-virus and ransomware security along with anti-malware protection. The programme also lets you remotely manage your devices. Yes ‘Device(s)', Sophos home can be used in up to 10 devices for the paid version and 3 devices for the free version. Doesn't end here, Sophos Home also lets you put on parental controls so that none of your devices reach the unprotected side of Web.
Download Sophos Home (30 day trial, $27 yearly for premium)
Wrapping Up: Best Anti Malware for Mac
Mac Malware Removal Software Reviews
If you are looking for a dedicated anti-malware software that plays well with other antivirus and firewall software then go with Malwarebytes. As a premium option, you can also try Systweak Anti-Malware. If you are looking for a full-fledged anti-virus software that can extend the protection to viruses, adware, ransomware, and other threats then go with AVG as it provides real-time protection for free. You can also try Bitdefender.
In general, if you know what you are doing on the Internet and don't download the cracked software or porn, you'll probably don't need an anti-virus and/or anti-malware software. That said, if you don't consider yourself tech savvy or if you are buying a computer for your parents, it's a good idea to have an anti-malware installed.
That's for now. If you think I missed any of your favorite anti-malware software then command below and share it with me. It will also help other Mac users.
Free Anti Malware Mac
Read: Top 10 Free Portable Anti-Malware Software to Have on Your Pen Drive
