What Is MacUtility?
Mac users have been expressing their frustration with the intrusive pop-up message “MacUtility will damage your computer. You should move it to the trash“. It is unlikely that this pop-up is related to any form of malware. However, if you think that your macOS has been infected, consider running a scan with an anti-malware program. Additionally, note that other similar pop-up messages are seen on Macs.
MacUtility – Details
| Name | MacUtility |
| Type | Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and the displaying of different unwanted contents and ads. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down in terms of performance. Auto download of other PUPs may start. |
| Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by MacUtility
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss MacUtility. |
MacUtility Virus – How Did I Get Infected
Most of “MacUtility will damage your computer”‘s distribution mechanisms are designed to deceive you into installing an unwanted program without taking into account the potential consequences. To accomplish this, they use bundled software installers as well as fake software updates distributed via compromised webpages.
MacUtility Mac – What Does It Do?
Most of MacUtility is an adware developed with the goal of displaying a large number of online ads. When it is initiated on your Mac, it can modify the settings of some of the most commonly used browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari, so as to promote more advertisements. Unfortunately, this could have a detrimental effect on the functioning of your Mac and slow it down. Additionally, the ads may take you to malicious web pages managed by cybercriminals:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive and push notifications.
If you want to protect your computer from “MacUtility” potentially collecting sensitive data from your affected browsers and sending it to its servers, you should remove all associated data collection files as soon as possible.
This threat may also contain trackers, which may get different types personally identifiable and other data, like:
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your mouse movements.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is MacUtility a Mac Virus?
Despite not being a conventional computer virus, “MacUtility” can still be damaging as it has traits of adware and potentially undesirable program activities, as well as backdoor capabilities.
Can It Be Dangerous?
The LaunchAgents folder in the Library is a common target for “MacUtility will damage your computer”, which, despite not being a conventional computer virus, can cause various issues due to its persistent nature. Completely removing this threat requires a technical approach, as its persistence agent can be difficult to eliminate.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
How to Protect Your Mac from MacUtility?
To keep your computer safe from potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) such as the one that triggers the “MacUtility will damage your computer” pop-up, practice good online habits. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Make sure MacUtility is fully removed using professional software.
- Change all your passwords from a safe device.
- Enable two-factor logins.
- Call your bank to change all credit card information if you use your Mac for online payments.
- Change your Wi-Fi password.
- Install a reputable anti-malware protection app on all your devices.
- Do not download apps from unknown sources.
How to Remove MacUtility from Mac?
To make sure your Mac is clear of the “MacUtility will damage your computer” threat and its connected files, please read the removal guide thoroughly. Both manual and automated removal options are available and using both of these together can help protect your device from future attacks. If you need more help or have any other questions, please leave a comment below the article.
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 MacUtility files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as MacUtility, 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 MacUtility 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 MacUtility:
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 MacUtility. 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 MacUtility. 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 MacUtility 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 MacUtility. 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 MacUtility – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
MacUtility-FAQ
What is MacUtility on your Mac?
The MacUtility 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 MacUtility?
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 MacUtility?
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 MacUtility Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this MacUtility 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 MacUtility?
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 MacUtility threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.