How to Remove Trojan Virus on Mac (2024 Updated)

Mac users are not secured to the threat of Trojan viruses. While Macs are generally considered more secure than other operating systems, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting your device.

Trojan viruses are usually hidden in software or movie files that you download, making it frustrating to deal with. However, most Trojan virus on mac can be easily handled and do not have a long-term impact on your Mac or data. In this article of pczippo, we will answer any questions you may have about Trojans and explain how to remove Trojan viruses from your Mac.

What is a Trojan virus?

A Trojan Virus, also known as a Trojan Horse, is named after the famous wooden horse used to deceive defenders of Troy. The cyber version of this trickery is used to deceive users into downloading the virus by hiding it within something that appears legitimate. If your Mac is affected by a Trojan virus, it will trick you into downloading it by disguising itself as a harmless file.

Trojans can often be disguised as software updates, such as those for Adobe Flash or antivirus tools. One of the most harmful types of Trojan is associated with adware. It shows a pop-up message on your Mac, claiming that it has been infected. Then, it takes you to a download link for what appears to be an antivirus tool. However, the downloaded file is actually a virus itself.

What does a Trojan virus do?

Have you ever come across a Trojan virus? It might appear in the form of an email attachment, which may seem reliable, but its sole purpose is to trick you into clicking on a malicious link or downloading the attachment. Once downloaded, the Trojan virus can infect your Mac and cause serious damage.

The biggest problem with Trojan viruses is that they are designed to mimic legitimate files, making it difficult for users to identify them. Once installed, they can also download other harmful malware and monitor your online activity without your knowledge.

Steps to take to ensure your Mac Has Trojan

Trojan horse viruses exhibit many of the same symptoms as other infections. Here the symptoms:

• Your Mac is displaying unusual and unexpected behavior.
• Mac is running slowly and there’s a possibility of something hogging the processor.
• Additionally, you may notice some advertisements appearing on your desktop.
• Your internet connection is experiencing issues and becoming slow and unreliable.
• You might also observe some modifications to your browser settings or system options.
• Some files or applications that you previously had access to might no longer be available.

If you notice software on your Mac that you did not intend to download, it could be an indication of a Trojan virus. This could be an application in the Applications folder or a web browser extension.

Once you suspect that your Mac is infected with a Trojan virus, it is crucial to know how to remove it and other malware from your computer.

How To Remove A Trojan Virus From Mac

If you see your Mac behaving suspiciously, you should run a thorough malware scan. The best method to accomplish this is to use a dedicated program such as CleanMyMac X. It outperforms standard Trojan virus removers by detecting and neutralizing thousands of threats like as adware, spyware, ransomware, worms, and more.

• Once you’ve downloaded the program, install it and launch it from the Applications folder.
• Select the Malware Removal tab.
• Click Scan, and CleanMyMac X will begin scanning your Mac for malware such as worms, spyware, and viruses.
• Once the scan is completed, click Remove.

Removing Manually Trojan Virus From Mac

If you prefer not to use a third-party tool for removing malware, you can still remove Trojans manually. However, it will require some detective work. We have provided a detailed list of steps for Trojan removal below. Depending on the level of infection, you may not need to perform all the steps, but we do not advise skipping any.

1. Remove Malicious Profiles

Some Trojan viruses create multiple profiles to modify browser and system settings. Therefore, the first step is to check for new profiles and remove any dangerous ones.

• Enter into System Settings.
• Navigate to Users and Groups.
• If you haven’t created a profile, click the i next to it and then Delete Account. In the pop-up menu, select Delete the Home Folder.

2. Delete Malicious Apps

As previously noted, Trojans can install programs on your Mac without your permission. Therefore, the next step is to discover and delete those apps.

• Here are the steps for complete app removal: 
• Open the Applications folder and look for the virus-ridden program.
• Move it to the trash and empty it.
• To identify and delete remaining files, open the Finder and select Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar. Paste the following paths into the window that appears one at a time, then delete any files related with the software you just removed:

3. Reset Browser Settings 

Trojan viruses frequently change browser settings, thus resetting them to their defaults is required to remove spyware. The steps change depending on the browser.

Safari

• Head to Safari Settings > Extensions.
• Select an extension and then click Uninstall.

• Go to the Search tab and choose your preferred search engine. 
• Now, navigate to the Privacy tab and click Manage Website data.
• Click Remove all and confirm by hitting Remove Now. 

• Finally, move to the Advanced tab and select Show features for developers.
• Now, from the menu bar, click Develop > Empty caches.

Chrome

• Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon in the upper right corner.
• Select Settings and then Extensions from the menu that displays.
• Select any extensions you do not recognize and click Remove.

Firefox

• Open Firefox.
• Click the three-line (hamburger) icon in the upper right corner.
• Select Add-ons and Themes.
• Select the Extensions tab and remove any extensions you do not recognize.
• Click the ellipsis and click Remove.

How to protect your Mac from Trojan virus

To prevent getting a Trojan virus on your Mac, it is important to be cautious when downloading anything. Only download files from trusted sources and avoid clicking on links in emails if you are not sure where they lead to. Additionally, pay attention to warnings in web browsers that indicate a site may be unsafe. Keep your Mac’s Firewall turned on and make sure you have the latest version of macOS installed.

When downloading an application, ensure that you verify the name and source of the application before proceeding. Don’t just agree to the installation without confirming that it’s what you intended to download.

If you want to have real-time protection against Trojan viruses and malware, you can use CleanMyMac X. This tool has a malware monitor feature that can keep you updated on any potential threats trying to access your Mac. To enable real-time protection in CleanMyMac X, follow these steps:

• Go to the menu bar and select the CleanMyMac X icon.
• In the Protection section, click the Turn On option.

CleanMyMac X will now perform regular checks on your Mac to detect any potential malware threats. If it finds any malware, you will receive a notification. You can easily scan your Mac for Trojan viruses and other types of malware using the CleanMyMac X menu and remove them. The software also allows you to monitor your Mac’s performance and manage the memory and CPU load.

Trojan viruses: where do they start out?

It’s important to know where malware threats come from to prevent infection. Here are some sources where Trojans can attack:

1. File-sharing platforms:

Torrent websites are a popular way for cybercriminals to distribute malicious software. They can hide Trojan viruses inside free or cracked programs, which can infect your Mac when you install such software.

2. Email attachments:

Malicious email attachments are common. Cybercriminals can make these emails look like they’re from someone you know to trick you into opening the attachment, which infects your computer.

3. Spoofed messages:

Spoofed messages are similar to emails and can trick you into clicking certain links. Verify the sender before following any links in a message you’ve received.

The most-reported Mac Trojans in 2024

The GravityRAT Trojan

This malware attacks Office documents and covertly records keystrokes.

UpdateAgent

A Trojan that mimics legitimate software. It bypasses Gatekeeper and installs malicious software on your Mac, such as Adload adware.

ElectroRAT

A Mac Trojan software that, once installed, starts a background process named “mdworker.” It can then record your keystrokes, capture screenshots, execute shell commands, and even upload and download data.

Final Words

Removing Trojan infections from a Mac isn’t difficult, but like with other malware, it’s preferable if you can keep it from downloading in the first place. A little vigilance and common sense will go a long way. If you need to entirely delete an application, try a cleanup like CleanMyMac.

Thank you for reading and choosing us, Stay Tuned!

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