What is Longage.A? What does it mean to see the detection Longage.A Backdoor? How to remove Longage.A completely from your Mac?
Longage.A is the detection name of a Trojan horse that affects Mac devices. Analyses of its features reveal that it is a highly sophisticated and persistent threat. Since it has the ability to execute remote commands, download files and transfer data, it could allow threat actors to access and fully control your computer. Furthermore, Longage.A could help them steal your sensitive information. In the event that you see Longage.A detection on your Mac, we recommend you to keep up with our removal guide.
Threat Summary
| Name | Longage.A |
| Type | Backdoor Trojan for MacOS |
| Short Description | Aims to slither on your Mac undetected and perform series of malcious activities. |
| Symptoms | The malware aims to remain undetected, so no evident symptoms may be registered. |
| Distribution Method | Malware, Malspam, Compromised websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Combo Cleaner
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Longage.A. |
Longage.A Backdoor Trojan – What is It All About?
Longage.A is the detection name given to a Trojan horse that affects Mac OS. Analyses of its samples reveal that it is designed to act like backdoor Trojan. It could also be used for the collection of private information. Infection with this Trojan could allow unauthorized access and control to your Mac device. Furthermore, attackers could misuse it for data theft and additional system compromises.
As reported, the spread of this backdoor could be realized with the help of other malware. So in the event that you have detected the presence of Longage.A Trojan on your Mac, you should definitely ensure that no additional malware is running on it. Compromised websites were also detected to drop the Trojan on target devices. Whenever, one of these pages loads in a target browser, it drops the nasty malware on the device and triggers its execution.
As soon as Longage.A is launched on your Mac, it accesses the following directory to drop copies of itself:
- /Library/launched
Then it enters the LaunchAgents folder to install a property list file called Launchd. By doing this, the Trojan becomes able to run automatically whenever you log in the system.
After these two initial attack stages, Longage connects to an IP address that is indicated in its code to remotely receive certain commands from malicious actors. The moment this event occurs, the security of your security and information stored on it are put at greater risk. On one hand, the attackers could obtain details like:
- Operating system version
- Physical RAM size
- Logon name of the current user
Based on these details, they could attempt to deliver additional malware.
Furthermore, as long as the connection remains uninterrupted, they could perform all of the actions mentioned below:
- Gather information about your computer
- Send a list of currently-running processes
- Kill processes
- Run or delete files
- Receive files from, or send files to, a remote server
- Uninstall Longage.A Backdoor
- Send an Apple event to initiate your computer to sleep, restart, shut down and log out
- Open a bash shell command prompt
Some of the most popular detections names related to Longage.A Trojan infection that are used by trusted antivirus vendors are:
→Backdoor.MacOSX.Longage.A
Backdoor:MacOS/Longage.A
Backdoor.OSX.Longage.A
OSX_LONGAGE.A
MacOS/Longage.A
Recently our team has found and reported other two detection names related to Longage.A backdoor Trojan – [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/remove-mac-kontrol-trojan/”] Mac Kontrol and [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/mac-control-virus-remove/”] Mac Control.
Beware that Longage.A is a highly complicated threat that could hardly be detected. Since it could have some hidden components on your Mac, we recommend you to use the help of advanced security tools for its complete removal.
Remove Longage.A Backdoor Trojan from Your Mac
In order to remove Longage.A Trojan along with all associated files that enable it to perform various malicious activities, you should complete several removal steps. In the guide below you will find all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of this nasty malware and strengthen the security of your device we recommend you to combine the steps.
In case you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
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.
Step 1: Uninstall Longage.A 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 Longage.A:
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 Longage.A. 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 Longage.A. 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 Longage.A 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 Longage.A. 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 2: Remove Longage.A – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Step 3: Scan for and remove Longage.A files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Longage.A, 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.
Longage.A FAQ
What is Longage.A on your Mac?
The Longage.A 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 siginficantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your Mac to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your MacOS.
Can my Mac get a virus?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get viruses. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that the following Apple devices can become infected with a virus:
- iMac
- Mac Mini
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- iPhone
- iPad
What are the symptoms of Longage.A on your Mac?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also most Mac threats in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your Mac may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Mac's Activity Monitor.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your Mac for viruses.
What types of Mac threats are there?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently infect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware and hijackers.
- Trojan horses and other spyware.
- Ransomware and screen-lockers.
- Cryptocurrency miner malware.
What to do if I have a Mac virus, like Longage.A?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One reccomended 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, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps plus take care of them quickly. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to secure my passwords and other data from Longage.A?
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 Longage.A Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Longage.A 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 Longage.A?
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 Longage.A threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. macOS More Susceptible to Adware and PUPs than Windows
2. XLoader Malware-as-a-Service Now Available for macOS for Only $49
3. XCSSET Mac Malware Targets Apple’s M1-Based Macs and macOS 11
4. macOS Backdoor Malware Linked to OceanLotus Hackers
5. The State of Apple’s Privacy So Far in 2021