What Is Mac_Agent
Mac_Agent is the name of an application that is often installed to make your Mac a part of an organizational network. If your Mac is a personal computer, however, it could be a sign of a nasty malware that is exploiting this agent to obtain information from your Mac and perform other unwanted or virus activities.
Keep reading this article to find out more about how Mac_Agent could be dangerous to your Mac and how you can get rid of it completely from your macOS, in case it is part of an ongoing malware infection.
Mac_Agent Summary
| Name | Mac_Agent |
| Type | Mac Virus |
| Short Description | The message appearing means that this error message could be the consequence of some type of Malware added on your Mac. |
| Symptoms | A pop-up appears, stating “”. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by Mac_Agent
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Mac_Agent. |
Mac_Agent Mac – What Does It Do?
Mac_Agent is the type of software that could be related to an application that is designed to monitor your Mac and control it from distance. Generally, legitimate organizations use apps, like Mac_Agent to monitor enterprise Macs and manage them, like update them often, install the latest apps and modify them according to the working requirements.
There is however a significant chance the Mac_Agent could also be a component that is controlled by some form of Mac malware. We have seen many other such malware-controlled apps before, that mimick legitimate apps and
Scan Event Handler, DiscoveryUnitd and CiscoAnyConnect and “P” will damage your computer are only some of the more recently detected examples.
What If Mac_Agent is Malware?
In case Mac_Agent is a malware-controlled application, then the malware problem that you may be facing could be one of the following types of cyberthreats:
- Botnets.
- Rootkits.
- Adware viruses.
- Ransomware for Mac.
- Trojans.
Mac_Agent may be performing a number of malicious activities without your authorization if it is operated by a malicious software. These activities may be among the following actions, typical for most malware:
- Stealing passwords and other information saved on your web browser.
- Taking screenshots.
- Logging the keys you type in real-time.
- Stealing files.
- Damage causing your files to no longer be able to be opened.
- Tapping into your microphone or camera.
- Deleting files.
- Controlling your internet connection.
- Downloading an adding other adware.
Mac_Agent is the kind of software that should be checked whether or not if it is malware controlled and if so, immediate removal is strongly advisable, along with changing all of your passwords and credentials that might be compromised.
Remove Mac_Agent from Your Device
If you want to remove Mac_Agent completely from your computer, we would strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions that have been set up beneath this article. These steps are made with the main purpose to get users to delete this malware from each aspect of the Mac it may reside in. For a full and most effective removal, security experts recommend that you do it automatically by downloading and scanning your Mac using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program is specifically made to be able to automatically check your Mac for any malware and make sure it’s gone along with all of the unwanted files and objects.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Mac_Agent files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Mac_Agent, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Mac_Agent and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Mac_Agent:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Mac_Agent. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Mac_Agent. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Mac_Agent via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Mac_Agent. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove Mac_Agent – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Mac_Agent-FAQ
What is Mac_Agent on your Mac?
The Mac_Agent threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Mac_Agent?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Mac_Agent?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Mac_Agent Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mac_Agent how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Mac_Agent?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Mac_Agent threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.