What is Mirai Virus?
Mirai virus is a malicious software, which has been tied to one of the biggest botnet attacks ongoing in the world. This is the type of malware, that may infect a range of different kinds of devices including Internet of things (IoT), PC, Mac and a wide range of mobile devices. The main objective of this virus is the cause all kinds of changes on the device, run spyware script and even steal data.
This article to learn how to remove this nasty virus from your Mac completely.
Mirai Summary
| Name | Mirai |
| Type | Trojan for Mac / Downloader Malware |
| Brief Description | Aims to perform malicious and spyware activities on macOS. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac could become very slow and even freeze from time to time. |
| Distribution Technique | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may promote it. |
| Detection Tool |
See if the System is impacted by Mirai
Down Load
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to go over Mirai. |
Mirai Trojan Mac – How Did I Get It?
Mirai is a typical Mac Trojan and a dangerous botnet. It is widely known to be tied to one of the biggest botnets in the world right now. It also includes evolved variants to it, known as Yowai and Masuta.
This is the type of virus, that infects victims through dangerous vulnerabilities (exploits).
Mirai Virus – What Does It Do?
Mirai virus may run different malicious activities, just like any malware is coded to. Mirai may install a Bitcoin Miner virus, that may use your Mac to mine for cryptocurrencies.
Being a Trojanised malware, the Mirai virus may also perform the following malicious activities on your computer:
- Download other viruses.
- Update its miners, control them.
- Take screenshots.
- Steal files.
- Log the keystrokes you type.
- Obtain data from your PC.
- Control your microphone and audio.
This is why removing the sophisticated Mirai botnet malware is something that we would strongly suggest in case you have noticed any hints or detections of it.
Remove Mirai Virus from Your Computer
Mirai Trojan can be removed if you remove its core files that are rooming actively on your device and denying their permissions. Usually, these files are well masked, making their removal very difficult.
This is why, the most recommended way to get rid of this virus if you do not succeed using the removal steps below is running a scan with an anti-malware software for Mac. Experts often recommend using such a professional too, because it has a wide range of technologies, that are designed to thoroughly check your Mac and make it malware free 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.
Follow Me:
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 Mirai files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Mirai, 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 Mirai 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 Mirai:
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 Mirai. 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 Mirai. 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 Mirai 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 Mirai. 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 Mirai – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Mirai-FAQ
What is Mirai on your Mac?
The Mirai 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 Mirai?
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 Mirai?
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 Mirai Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mirai 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 Mirai?
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 Mirai threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.