Yet another malware question for High Sierra

[StarShot]

First of all, me been BAD. I've probably visited websites that might have been nasty. That said,

About a month or so ago, some malware program got installed on my MBA and reported all kinds of crap that I didn't think was true. I deleted the program from my Applications folder 2 or 3 times and it kept coming back. I don't remember the name of it, but a search on the web to find something that would smoke it led me to "malwarebytes" which did get rid of it.

I think after that happened, I deleted malwarebytes as well, but now it seems to reappear as well. I have the free version of malwarebytes.

A search on the net seems to imply that malwarebytes is a legit program, but I wonder.

Anyone know if I'm OVER the line by having malwarebytes on my MBA? I would really appreciate any inputs you may have on malwarebytes.

 

[chrfr]

First of all, me been BAD. I've probably visited websites that might have been nasty. That said,

About a month or so ago, some malware program got installed on my MBA and reported all kinds of crap that I didn't think was true. I deleted the program from my Applications folder 2 or 3 times and it kept coming back. I don't remember the name of it, but a search on the web to find something that would smoke it led me to "malwarebytes" which did get rid of it.

I think after that happened, I deleted malwarebytes as well, but now it seems to reappear as well. I have the free version of malwarebytes.

A search on the net seems to imply that malwarebytes is a legit program, but I wonder.

Anyone know if I'm OVER the line by having malwarebytes on my MBA? I would really appreciate any inputs you may have on malwarebytes.

Imagine that... Malwarebytes even provides a document on how to properly uninstall their software. Actual malware doesn't provide such instructions.
https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1928

 

[StarShot]

Imagine that... Malwarebytes even provides a document on how to properly uninstall their software. Actual malware doesn't provide such instructions.
https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1928

So, are you using malwarebytes? And if so, the paid edition or the free one?

 

[Banglazed]

You can use CleanMyMac to uninstall any suspicious app, it will also clear any traces of it and check launch agents under Extension. Use the Activity Monitor to spot any suspicious processes. You can give bitdefender a shot.

Link: https://macpaw.com/download/cleanmymac

 

[chrfr]

So, are you using malwarebytes? And if so, the paid edition or the free one?

I use the free version periodically but don't leave it installed. I did prefer the older version that didn't install any persistent features like the one available now does, but it's an effective tool that does its job well for free.

 

[jdw13]

I use the free version of Malwarebytes, allow it check for updates automatically, and occasionally have it scan manually-- and I have not noticed it placing any unwanted applications on my Mac. I did have some issues with unwanted (adware?) applications couple of months ago, but thought it was from obtaining Flash and Malwarebytes found and removed them.

If Malwarebytes install puts some unwanted junk on your computer, I did not notice-- but I keep it installed.

 

[MSastre]

You can use CleanMyMac to uninstall any suspicious app, it will also clear any traces of it and check launch agents under Extension. Use the Activity Monitor to spot any suspicious processes. You can give bitdefender a shot.

Link: https://macpaw.com/download/cleanmymac

CleanMyMac causes way more problems than it fixes. Stay away from it. Malwarebytes is a legit, very helpful program. The free version is really all you need.

 

[chrfr]

If Malwarebytes install puts some unwanted junk on your computer, I did not notice-- but I keep it installed.

It's not really "unwanted junk" but rather the components that work with the paid version for proactive scanning/protection.

 

[Fishrrman]

The free edition of MalwareBytes is all you need.

 

[StarShot]

Thanks to all for your comments. I guess I'll stay with Malwarebytes for now. AND try to stay off BAD sites.

 

[HDFan]

There is another thread that discusses malware/virus software:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/malware-virus-cleaning-app.2133042/

and whether or not on a Mac it is even necessary.

My personal perspective (after our local Public Broadcast Station's computers were completely shutdown with ransomeware) is to be paranoid and get the best and broadest protection available. With multiple layers of protection (hardware, multiple software layers) when someone finally succeeds at making a significant Mac virus/malware/ransomeware ... I've got multiple places for it to be caught. My guess is that a security firm would be a bit faster than Apple in discovering, and generating blocks for, exploits.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Thanks to all for your comments. I guess I'll stay with Malwarebytes for now. AND try to stay off BAD sites."

For those "questionable" sites, I suggest you try the "Epic privacy browser" which hides your IP address via a proxy.
Doing so "hides" your IP address from the sites you're visiting.
You must still be careful about downloading anything from them.

 

[StarShot]

"Thanks to all for your comments. I guess I'll stay with Malwarebytes for now. AND try to stay off BAD sites."

For those "questionable" sites, I suggest you try the "Epic privacy browser" which hides your IP address via a proxy.
Doing so "hides" your IP address from the sites you're visiting.
You must still be careful about downloading anything from them.

Would Opera with VPN activated do the same thing?

 

[Fishrrman]

"Would Opera with VPN activated do the same thing?"

My -guess- is.... yes, it would.