What is IPStorm?
What does it mean to see IPStorm Trojan detection on Mac? Well, to be honest, the news is bad. IPStorm is a malicious piece of code that is developed to abuse the files of legitimate software instances to inject malware on the computers of its victims. Analyses of its behavior confirm that it is a very sophisticated and persistent threat. Once the IPStorm obtains access to a macOS, it might enable hackers to fully access and take control of your machine. The presence of this Trojan on your Mac may allow hackers to perform remote commands like downloading additional malicious files, transferring data, and harvesting sensitive information.
If you happened to notice this malware detection on your Mac, we strongly recommend that you keep up with this removal guide and see how to deal with the nasty IPStorm.
IPStorm Summary
| Title | IPStorm also known as Trojan.MacOS.IPStorm.C (detection by SpyHunter Mac) |
| Type | Trojan for MacOS |
| Quick Description | Aims to slither on your Mac undetected and perform series of malcious activities. |
| Symptoms | This malicious software aims to remain undetected, so no evident symptoms can be registered. |
| Distribution Method | Malware, Malspam, Compromised websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
SpyHunter for Mac
Malware Removal Tool
|
IPStorm Trojan – More Information
IPStorm is the detection name of a Trojan horse that impacts Mac OS. Originally it was released against Windows machines back in 2019. The malware’s full name is InterPlanetary Storm. It is related to the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) where a legitimate peer-to-peer protocol is used by the malware to communicate with infected systems and run various malicious commands. The use of a legitimate p2p network enables the malware to remain hidden on the system for as long as possible.
Security reports by reputable companies released this summer confirmed that there are new IPStorm versions that are capable of infecting devices running operating systems different than Windows, including Android, Linux, and macOS.
How the IPStorm spreads on Mac and Linux machines is via dictionary attacks against SSH services. The goal of these attacks is the right guess of established usernames and passwords. For these attacks to begin, hackers may be using corrupted websites designed to drop another malware on macOS.
After the malware gains access to a target system, it usually checks for the presence of honeypot software to ensure that it can perform further malicious operations without being detected. It may also gain boot persistence on the device and kill a list of processes that may signal for its operations.
The end goal of hackers standing behind this infection may vary. With the help of IPStorm Trojan, crooks can cause a lot of damage to the infected system and its owner. Since the connection continues to be uninterrupted, they are able to perform most of the actions mentioned below:
- Receive files from, or send files to, a server that is remote.
- Install crypto-mining apps.
- Perform DDoS attacks.
- Sell access to the infected system.
- Send an Apple occasion to initiate your pc to sleep, restart, shut down and log out.
- Open a bash shell command prompt.
- Gather details about your computer.
- Send a directory of currently-running processes.
- Kill processes.
- Run or delete files.
- Uninstall the Backdoor Trojan.
A few other detection names of the IPStorm Mac Trojan virus by trusted anti-virus vendors are:
→
Trojan.MacOS.IPStorm.C
Win32.Trojan.Alien.Wrgr
Trojan.MAC.IPStorm
MacOS:IPStorm-A [Trj]
Beware that this Trojan for Mac is a threat that is highly complicated and could barely be detected. We recommend making use of the help of advanced-level security tools for its complete removal. A professional tool will be able to detect and find some hidden elements added to your macOS.
Remove IPStorm Trojan from Mac
In order to remove IPStorm along with all entries created on the Mac system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of files installed by malware and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
Notice: Before manually removing files or folders on your Mac, make sure to identify the accurate components of IPStorm, because deleting other apps’ files or system settings files by mistake may trigger malfunction of installed apps or even your system.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 IPStorm files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as IPStorm, 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 IPStorm 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 IPStorm:
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 IPStorm. 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 IPStorm. 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 IPStorm 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 IPStorm. 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 IPStorm – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
IPStorm-FAQ
What is IPStorm on your Mac?
The IPStorm 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 IPStorm?
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 IPStorm?
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 IPStorm Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this IPStorm 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 IPStorm?
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 IPStorm threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.