What Is Mac Backdoor?
What does it mean if you see such a detection on your Mac? Backdoor Mac, Mac backdoor, Backdoor.Mac or a similar generic detection is most likely an indication of a Trojan infection on your Mac. A recent example of a backdoor detection is Longage.A Backdoor.
Backdoors targeting macOS may not be as frequently detected as potentially unwanted programs but they do appear in the wild. This article will give you details about Mac backdoor.
Threat Details
| Name | Mac backdoor |
| Type | Backdoor Trojan for MacOS |
| Short Description | Aims to slither on your Mac undetected and perform series of malicious activities. |
| Symptoms | The backdoor aims to remain undetected, so no evident symptoms may be registered. |
| Distribution Method | Malicious spam, Compromised websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Combo Cleaner
Malware Removal Tool
|
Mac Backdoor – What Does It Mean?
Backdoors are Trojans. The bad news is that some Trojans are quite advanced and simple detection and quarantine may not be enough to stop them entirely. A Mac backdoor main goal is to enter your Mac stealthily to steal information, install more malware or spy on you.
What you should know is that after successful infiltration, backdoor Trojans aim to obtain remote control of targeted Mac machines. Then, backdoors may perform various malicious activities such as record users’ Internet browsing, steal banking details and passwords from keychains, install other malware, etc.
Related: Top 5 Most Destructive macOS Malware Pieces
What Does a Mac Backdoor Do?
Once on your Mac, a backdoor could:
- Activate your camera or microphone;
- Log your keystrokes;
- Track you location via FindMyMac;
- Read your IP and MAC addresses;
- Copy files from your Mac;
- Delete files from your Mac;
- Steal AppleID passwords and IDs;
- Steal saved passwords on your browser;
- Download other viruses on your Mac without your knowledge;
- Update itself.
Let’s have a look at a recently detected Mac backdoor, SysJoker.
Based on data collected by malware researchers, it is known that the backdoor could help hackers to deliver additional malware. Furthermore, as long as the connection remains uninterrupted, hackers could perform some or all of the following actions:
- 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.
The worst part is that a backdoor may stay silent and undetected on your system for a long period of time, making it an infection difficult to spot and remove.
A Mac backdoor Trojan may also open the door to other infections on your Mac, or may be dropped together with other malware, such as the following:
- Banking Trojans, which are designed to steal banking and financial information. These Trojans could inject a virtual layer over legitimate banking websites with the purpose to collect information entered by the user.
- Downloader Trojans, which are designed to install more malware on affected systems.
- DDoS Trojans, which apply a botnet on infected systems to be used to execute DDoS attacks.
- Spyware, which is designed to stealthily infiltrate Macs to track and record keystrokes, websites visited, and can even take screenshots of the users’ activities. Collected data is typically sent to a command and control server.
- PUPs and adware, which interfere with the victim’s online activities by displaying pop-up ads and fake error messages, and redirecting to suspicious sites.
Shortly said, a Mac backdoor Trojan detection may be an indication of other infections.
Mac Backdoor – How to Remove
In order to remove a backdoor Trojan from your Mac, 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 the malware and improve the security of your device, we recommend you an approach that combines both.
In case you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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 Mac backdoor files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Mac backdoor, 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 Mac backdoor 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 Mac backdoor:
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 Mac backdoor. 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 Mac backdoor. 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 Mac backdoor 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 Mac backdoor. 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 Mac backdoor – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Mac backdoor-FAQ
What is Mac backdoor on your Mac?
The Mac backdoor 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 Mac backdoor?
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 Mac backdoor?
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 Mac backdoor Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mac backdoor 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 Mac backdoor?
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 Mac backdoor threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.