iMac Virus Alert?

[stefanmaine]

Yesterday afternoon and this morning ... and again just a couple of minutes ago, there appeared a "notification" (I think they're called) at the top right of the screen alerting me to a virus. See attached image.

Yesterday, Bitdefender Virus Scanner's "Deep System Scan" found a Trojan, which it removed.

Since then, the notification continues to appear. I have run the free version of Bitdefender Virus Scanner's "Deep System Scan" and Intego VirusBarrier Scanner. Both have come up negative every time. In the words of Bitdefender "Your Mac is clean".

The black arrow in the image is my Mouse — I did NOT click it but I let it sit there long enough to keep the notification from disappearing while I went for a camera. Setting the mouse there "dimmed" the image at its right, and displayed "Show". I did NOT click on that either.

My first question is, do I have a virus that is undetectable to both Bitdefender and VirusBarrier?

Or is this the "same" notification that warned me of the earlier Trojan that Bitdefender removed. And if so, how do I inform my Mac that the virus has been removed?

Thank you.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Yesterday afternoon and this morning ... and again just a couple of minutes ago, there appeared a "notification" (I think they're called) at the top right of the screen alerting me to a virus. See attached image.

Yesterday, Bitdefender Virus Scanner's "Deep System Scan" found a Trojan, which it removed.

Since then, the notification continues to appear. I have run the free version of Bitdefender Virus Scanner's "Deep System Scan" and Intego VirusBarrier Scanner. Both have come up negative every time. In the words of Bitdefender "Your Mac is clean".

The black arrow in the image is my Mouse — I did NOT click it but I let it sit there long enough to keep the notification from disappearing while I went for a camera. Setting the mouse there "dimmed" the image at its right, and displayed "Show". I did NOT click on that either.

My first question is, do I have a virus that is undetectable to both Bitdefender and VirusBarrier?

Or is this the "same" notification that warned me of the earlier Trojan that Bitdefender removed. And if so, how do I inform my Mac that the virus has been removed?

Thank you.

No, you don't have any malware. Except maybe BitDefender. Get rid of it. VirusBarrier is fine, but that notification very possibly is just BitDefender trying to scare you. It's best to use their own Uninstaller tool, but afterwards, use something like Easy Find to search for remnants.

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1784/

 

[Lifeisabeach]

One more thing... scams using the web browser feature to allow websites to push notifcations are becoming a huge problem. That notification could actually be an ad in disguise. The best practice recommendations today are to disable the option in Safari (and all other browsers) to allow websites to send notifications.

Virus notification on MacBook Pro. - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[stefanmaine]

One more thing... scams using the web browser feature to allow websites to push notifcations are becoming a huge problem. That notification could actually be an ad in disguise. The best practice recommendations today are to disable the option in Safari (and all other browsers) to allow websites to send notifications.

Virus notification on MacBook Pro. - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Thank you!
Who knew that was there ... well, I guess you did. Fortunately.

No, you don't have any malware. Except maybe BitDefender. Get rid of it. VirusBarrier is fine, but that notification very possibly is just BitDefender trying to scare you. It's best to use their own Uninstaller tool, but afterwards, use something like Easy Find to search for remnants.

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1784/

OK, I will.
Thank you for being here.

 

[stefanmaine]

"It's best to use their own Uninstaller tool"
FYI Apparently they no longer provide a separate uninstaller tool.
At https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/ is "drag and drop into Trash" or "right click and move to Trash" after which "Find Any File" found & removed a couple of dozen remnants.

 

[Slydude]

"It's best to use their own Uninstaller tool"
FYI Apparently they no longer provide a separate uninstaller tool.
At https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/ is "drag and drop into Trash" or "right click and move to Trash" after which "Find Any File" found & removed a couple of dozen remnants.

I've never used that program and that kind of behavior guarantees I won't use it in the future.

As you've discovered, these programs often include uninstallers because they place files on your hard drive in several locations. A simple drag and drop to the trash will often leave several files behind -- some may produce the message you were seeing. Although manual uninstallation is possible, one must know what files to look for and where they are likely to be found. Finding that information isn't always easy.

 

[IWT]

The best practice recommendations today are to disable the option in Safari (and all other browsers) to allow websites to send notifications

Totally agree. And to do this Open Safari, then open Safari Settings (this can be done quickly by using the Keyboard shortcut Command plus comma OR click on Safari icon next to  and choose Settings).

Now Click on Websites. On the Left, scroll down to Notifications and highlight it. And on the Right, untick the box "Allow websites to ask permission to send notifications".

Ian

 

[pm-r]

The black arrow in the image is my Mouse — I did NOT click it but I let it sit there long enough to keep the notification from disappearing while I went for a camera. Setting the mouse there "dimmed" the image at its right, and displayed "Show". I did NOT click on that either.

@stefanmaine

Just a bit OFF TOPIC, but I thought you might be interested in a site with some suggestions for taking screenshots with your Mac and how, which is usually easier and better than using a camera:

How to screenshot on Mac - The ultimate guide 2024 by Setapp

Learn the best methods to take screenshots, record your screen, and share screen captures. Everything you should know about how to screenshot on Mac.

setapp.com

- Patrick
=======

 

[stefanmaine]

Just a bit OFF TOPIC ...

untick the box "Allow websites ..."

Wow!
It is very difficult to visit this website and avoid learning something new.
Thank you both.

 

[Rod]

I think, "Empowering users" is part of our mission statement