What Is Careto Trojan?
The Careto Trojan, also detected as Trojan.MacOS.Careto.A is a well-known version of the Careto malware that may perform very destructive activities on both Windows and Mac computers. The Trojan is called Careto, because its creator is likely from a Latin-American or Spanish origin. Careto means mask in Spanish.
The Careto Trojan may act like a typical malware once it’s in your Mac. Other similar Trojans, like it are the Jahlav Trojan and IPStorm Trojan. It may remain undetected while snooping different types of details directly from your Macintosh. It may modify different system permissions and files of macOS that strengthen its control over your Mac. The main purpose of the Careto trojan is information. It may steal passwords, get files and actively monitor what you do all the time while on your computer.
Careto Trojan Summary
| Name | Careto Trojan also known as Trojan.MacOS.Careto, Trojan.MacOS.Careto.A, Backdoor.MacOSX.Careto,Backdoor:MacOS/Careto, Backdoor, OSX.Careto, MacOS/Careto |
| Type | Mac Trojan / Backdoor |
| Short Description | Careto has the capability of performing a wide variety of spyware and malware activities on your Mac. |
| Symptoms | Careto may not appear directly, but it could show up on your Mac via suspicious processes running on your Activity Monitor. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Malicious attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your macOS System Has Been Affected by Careto Trojan
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Combo Cleaner
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Careto Trojan. |
Careto Trojan – What Does It Do?
This malware may enter your Mac in a variety of ways. First of all, it could be sent to you via e-mail as an attached file. The infection file may seem like a legitimate e-mail attachment, like a ticket for a plane, a bank letter or something very important.
The infection may also happen via a file that you may have downloaded while on the web. These files are often pretending to be legitimate programs, like app installers or other types of software.
As soon as this virus is added in your computer, it may begin to get different information from it without you known it. Such details can be directly sent to the hackers in real-time:
- >RAM size.
- The macOS Operating system version.
- Your login names and passwords.
Once the Careto Trojan has been activated, it may begin its malicious activities. The trojan may modify the system libraries of macOS and may elevate its privileges to the administrator on your Mac. Then, the virus may perform the following activities:
- Send a directory locations of currently-running processes.
- Run or remove apps.
- Steal and send documents to the hackers.
- Turn your Mac on or off.
- Open files.
- Gather details concerning your computer system.
- Stop processes.
- Use your microphone and camera.
Careto Trojan may also be detected with the following detection names:
- Trojan.MacOS.Careto.I
- Trojan.MacOS.Careto.
- Backdoor.MacOSX.Careto.
- Backdoor: MacOS/Careto.
- OSX_Careto.
- Backdoor.OSX.Careto.
- MacOS/Careto.
This Trojan is an extremely dangerous threat and should not be underestimated under any circumstances. The bad news is it has little or no symptoms of being detected. This is why we advise using the removal manual underneath if you believe your Mac and information in it are at risk.
Get Rid Of Careto Trojan from Your Mac
In order to get rid of this nasty malware from your Mac, our best advice would be to follow the removal instructions we have posted below. They are made with the main purpose to help you isolate and get rid of the virus effectively. For best removal, experts do advise using an anti-malware app. It will effectively scan your Mac from the ground up and make sure all virus files are gone and it is secure in the future.
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 Careto Trojan files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Careto Trojan, 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 Careto Trojan 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 Careto Trojan:
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 Careto Trojan. 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 Careto Trojan. 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 Careto Trojan 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 Careto Trojan. 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 Careto Trojan – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Careto Trojan-FAQ
What is Careto Trojan on your Mac?
The Careto Trojan 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 Careto Trojan?
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 Careto Trojan?
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 Careto Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Careto Trojan 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 Careto Trojan?
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 Careto Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.