What Is Mrt.app Virus?
This article explains what the Mrt.app is, and how you can remove it completely from your Mac.
A new infection, attacking Mac users has been detected to hijack the MRT.app in the Library of your Mac. The program is believed to be a hijacking Trojan horse which affects legitimate processes of the victims’ Macs, so that the malware remains persistent on them. In addition to this, the MRT.app may have something to do with a false positive in relation to some antivirus programs that display detection messages. If you see the MRT.app infection to be detected on your mac, we recommend that you read this article so that you can understand when MRT is malware and when it’s a false positive, and how you can remove the MRT.app if it is, in fact, malicious.
Mrt.app Mac Details
| Name | MRT.app "Virus" |
| Type | Malware or a false-postive for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Believed to come from the Malware Removal Tool (MRT), but could also be detected in relation with a virus on your Mac. |
| Symptoms | Detections continue to reappear in relation to MRT.app and the virus can replicate onto different legitimate Mac apps. |
| Distribution Method | Either a false positive or if malware, may be distributed via e-mail or files, pretending to be legitimate. |
| Detection Tool |
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MRT.app Detection – How Did I Get It?
Users on Reddit have complained of getting the MRT.app detected as infection on their antivirus software. The reports were associated with the app, located in the following path:
/System/Library/CoreServices/MRT.app
The reports were quickly answered as this is the Malware Removal Tool which is enabled by default on the users’ Macs. The tool is part of the embedded malware protection and likely detected by third-party antivirus programs as a virus itself, because of the escalated permissions it has over the apps. Avast support had the following to reply on their security forums:
“Re: False positive in Swift standard library? « Reply #7 on: Today at 10:26:55 PM » Hello,
sorry for your inconvenience, we are working on fix and it will be release asap.”
Other users report that the core of the conflict is within how Apple Swift library interacts with any third party antivirus programs, although no specific details were yet revealed.
What Does MRT.app Do If Malicious?
Even though most reports have outlined the MRT.app detection as being a false positive, reappearing of the detection after users have reported it to most antivirus vendors may mean that it could be malicious. One of the strongest symptoms of the MRT.app being malicious is for the file to have another location as the one we have shown above. If so, then you would need to consider understanding the risks of any virus-related attack that uses the name MRT.app as a pretext to conduct it’s malicious activities.
In the events that the MRT.app is malicious, be advised that you should be aware of the fact that it can perfrom the following malicious activities on your Mac:
- Migrate to other processes and apps.
- Obtain information from your Mac’s drive.
- Cause your Mac to crash.
- Erase important information from your Mac.
- Gain live access to what you do on your Mac’s Desktop.
- Take screenshots.
- Track the keystrokes you type.
- Steal your Apple ID and other account names and passwords.
- Install other viruses on your Mac.
- Run a cryptocurrency miner malware.
If you have seen one of those symptoms, then you should do a second check up on your Mac for any viruses that may be MRT.app related or interfering with MRT so that they remain undetected.
Is MRT.app a Virus?
Depending on the program’s origin, it could be malware or a normal, legitimate program. If it turns out to be malware, then your Mac is at risk. To determine the risk level for your operating system, it is advisable to scan it with an anti-malware program.
Remove MRT.app – Related Viruses from Your Mac
If you want to stop the false positive detection of the MRT.app on your Mac it is rather easy – simply white list the folder of MRT.app in your antivirus program. If you, however believe that your Mac has been infected by malware, we would recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article to remove any apps that might cause you trouble. If you cannot identify the source of the problem, then experts always recommend to download and run a scan, using an advanced anti-malware program. Such tool will automatically detect and remove any malware that may be causing issues on your Mac.
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 MRT.app "Virus" files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as MRT.app "Virus", 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 MRT.app "Virus" 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 MRT.app "Virus":
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 MRT.app "Virus". 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 MRT.app "Virus". 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 MRT.app "Virus" 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 MRT.app "Virus". 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 MRT.app "Virus" – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
MRT.app "Virus"-FAQ
What is MRT.app "Virus" on your Mac?
The MRT.app "Virus" 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 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 the following Apple devices can become infected with a threat:
- iMac
- Mac Mini
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- iPhone
- iPad
What Are The Symptoms of MRT.app "Virus" On 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 MRT.app "Virus"?
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 MRT.app "Virus"?
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 MRT.app "Virus" Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this MRT.app "Virus" 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 MRT.app "Virus"?
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 MRT.app "Virus" threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.