What Is OSX.BirdMiner?
Bird Miner also known as OSX.BirdMiner is a cryptocurrency miner malware, whose primary goal is to slither on your Mac undetected and perform cryptocurrency mining operations. The main idea of Bird Miner for Mac is to overuse the CPU and GPU on your Mac, while remaining undetected for as long as possible and generate cryptocurrencies at the expense of your computer. On top of that the Bird Miner may also contain other types of modules that may even make it with Trojan capabilities. Read this article to understand how Bird Miner works and how you can remove it from your Mac.
OSX.BirdMiner Details
| Name | Bird Miner |
| Type | Cryptocurrency Miner for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Infects your computer silently after which performs mining operations that generate Monero tokens at the expense of the CPU and GPU of your Mac. |
| Symptoms | Your CPU may become with significantly increased usage (below 85%) and you may experience slow-downs and stuttering. |
| Distribution Method | Via a compromised installer of the Abeton Live 10 music app. |
| Detection Tool |
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Bird Miner – How Did I Get It?
The primary method of being spread, used by Bird Miner is via a compromised version of a music application for Mac, called Ableton Live 10. Apparently, downloading and installing this app, may bring Bird Miner additionally and it may infect your Mac via this method.
Bird Miner is a miner virus and just like other miners, such as MacOS BitCoinMiner-AS, JS:Cryptonight Miner and Android Miner, it aims to generate cryptocurrencies at the expense of your Mac’s resources. The main idea behind it is to mine for the Monero cryptocurrency tokens, and the outcome of this is often success for the hackers. The main reason why Bird Miner generates so much revenue to it’s creators is that it enrolls your computer to a mining pool, once it infects it. A mining pool(see figure below) is a virtual space, where the infected computers are combined to create a decentralized mining network where they work as one to generate Monero tokens. The more Macs are infected by the Bird Miner virus, the faster cyber-criminals generate tokens.
What Does the Miner Do?
On top of its activities, the miner may also have spyware components, that may allow it to perform malicious activities on your computer, like the following:
- Log the keystrokes you type on your Mac.
- Take screenshots.
- Steal your apple ID and password.
- Obtain information from your microphone.
- Tap into your camera.
- Track your online behavior.
- Obtain financial data.
- Obtain your saved passwords and logins on the sites/apps you use.
Remove Bird Miner from Your Mac
The Bird Miner and the compromised Abeton Live 10 music app can be removed if you follow the removal instructions below. They have been made to help you uninstall this software step by step. For faster results and maximum effectiveness, we strongly recommend that you download a professional malware cleanup software. Such tool will not only save you a lot of manual removal time, but will also fully remove Bird Miner and secure your device.
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 Bird Miner files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Bird Miner, 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 Bird Miner 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 Bird Miner:
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 Bird Miner. 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 Bird Miner. 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 Bird Miner 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 Bird Miner. 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 Bird Miner – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Bird Miner-FAQ
What is Bird Miner on your Mac?
The Bird Miner 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 Bird Miner 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 Bird Miner?
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 Bird Miner?
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 Bird Miner Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Bird Miner 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 Bird Miner?
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 Bird Miner threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.