Invaded by Mac Protector

FlaBill · May 20, 2011

A so called Mac protector has installed itself on my system and I am concerned.. How can I get rid of this attack?

schweb · May 20, 2011

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/ap...tion-removal-guide.html?highlight=MacDefender

FlaBill · May 20, 2011

Thank you, I followed the instructions in the referred site and believed it has been removed. What an ordeal. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope this is the end of attacks.
Bill

dtravis7 · May 20, 2011

Are you using Safari to surf the Web? If so, open preferences in Safari and the General Tab. Be sure "Open Safe Files after Download" is NOT checked.

harryb2448 · May 20, 2011

That was a great link, Dennis. +1 rep!

6string · May 20, 2011

I think it may be time for a Mac Protector/Mac Defender sticky thread.

class77 · May 20, 2011

If you would like to have an easy video guide on how to remove it, here one is from MacMost.com. I felt MUCH better after I watched this and much more able to react properly to finding it while surfing.

Everything You Need to Know about MacDefender Trojan

Randy B. Singer · May 21, 2011

Identifying and removing MacDefender trojans
Reed Corner Design : Tech News » Blog Archive » Identifying and removing MacDefender trojans

MacProtector is yet another MacDefender variant
Reed Corner Design : Tech News » Blog Archive » MacProtector is yet another MacDefender variant

New MacDefender variant: MacSecurity
Reed Corner Design : Tech News » Blog Archive » New MacDefender variant: MacSecurity

Macworld: New Mac Trojan horse masquerades as virus scanner
New Mac Trojan horse masquerades as virus scanner | Antivirus & Security | MacUser | Macworld

Mick · May 21, 2011

I too got caught out with this last night, it got as far as the splash screen but I didn't click the install button I closed it down and deleted the files from the download folder - I hope I have got rid of it!! I've done everything in the video so all should be well!!

Mick

McBie · May 21, 2011

dtravis7 said:
Are you using Safari to surf the Web? If so, open preferences in Safari and the General Tab. Be sure "Open Safe Files after Download" is NOT checked.

As a follow up action, you can also exclude your download folder from your backups .... that way the malware file sitting there idle in your downloads folder is not backed up.
Just a thought.

Cheers ... McBie

class77 · May 21, 2011

McBie said:
As a follow up action, you can also exclude your download folder from your backups .... that way the malware file sitting there idle in your downloads folder is not backed up.
Just a thought.

Cheers ... McBie

Wow, that's a really good idea. Never thought of that. How would I do that? I opened Time Machine preferences, but I couldn't see how to do it.

6string · May 21, 2011

class77 said:
Wow, that's a really good idea. Never thought of that. How would I do that? I opened Time Machine preferences, but I couldn't see how to do it.

Open up time machine preferences, click the lock and enter your password, select options.
A dialogue box opens up, click the + and select your downloads folder from the window that pops up.

class77 · May 24, 2011

6string said:
Open up time machine preferences, click the lock and enter your password, select options.
A dialogue box opens up, click the + and select your downloads folder from the window that pops up.

Thanks 6 string. Appreciate it