What Is SysJoker Malware Mac?
SysJoker is a Trojan horse application, that has been designed to infect a wide range device types, including Mac OS. This malware may perform a lot of malicious activities on your Mac once it ends up in it without you even realising it. This can result in a lot of problems for you, including having your personal information and files stolen from your Mac, along with all of your passwords and accounts. This is the main reason to consider immediately removing this infection from your Mac if you have noticed it in someway.
Read this article to learn more about this virus, how did you get it, how does it work and how to remove it effectively.
SysJoker Summary
| Name | SysJoker, also known as MacOS:Joker-A [Trj], Trojan.GenericKD.47868192, OSX/SysJoker.A, HEUR:Backdoor.OSX.SysJoker.gen – More detections on VirusTotal. |
| Type | Infostealer, Malware, Trojan |
| Short Description | A dangerous malware which can steal sensitive information from infected systems. |
| Symptoms | Infected users may not notice any particular symptoms, as the infostealer is installed silently. |
| Distribution Method | Phishing emails, Exploit kits, Bundled with legitimate software |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by SysJoker
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SysJoker. |
SysJoker Trojan Mac – How Did I Get It
SysJoker is similar to other Mac viruses, such as Jahlav, Careto and Corpef trojans.
SysJoker may infect your Mac in similar ways to what most of the Trojans use for their infection process to work.
One of the ways is that the virus can be sent to you in the form of an email attachment in a message that appears to be very legitimate and reputable. If this is the case, then the Trojan may appear as one of the following important documents:
- Invoice.
- Document from bank.
- Flight ticket.
- Receipt.
Another strategy that this virus uses to get inside your computer is likely a fake update on the webpage that is created to trick you into downloading it and authorising it on your Mac, believing it is some type of a legitimate program, like shown in the fake Adobe Flash Player update page below:
SysJoker Trojan Mac – What Does It Do?
When does Trojan infects your Mac, the first thing it does is run HTTP requests to the following web links:
- hxxp://init-p01st(dot)push(dot)apple.com/bag
- hxxp://ocsp(dot)digicert(dot)com/MFYwVKADAgEAME0wSzBJMAkGBSsOAwIaBQAEFN+qEuMosQlBk+KfQoLOR0BClVijBBSxPsNpA/i/RwHUmCYaCALvY2QrwwIQBxd5EQBdImf2iJL2j4tQWA==
.
This Trojan is also reported to be associated with communicating with the following IP addresses:
255.255.255.255:67 (UDP)
23.1.234.160:80 (TCP)
23.52.176.194:443 (TCP)
23.15.137.57:443 (TCP)
23.15.136.53:443 (TCP)
72.21.91.29:80 (TCP)
When the SysJoker Trojan infects your Mac, it may tamper with the following macOS files without your knowledge or authorization:
- /Users/user1/client/tmp/exec.command
- /Users/user1/.CFUserTextEncoding
- /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Heimdal.framework/Heimdal
- /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Heimdal.framework/Versions/Current
- /System/Library/Frameworks/GSS.framework/GSS
- /System/Library/Frameworks/GSS.framework/Versions/Current
- /var/db/timezone/zoneinfo/posixrules
- /Users/user1/Library/Assistant
- /Users/user1/Library/Caches/GeoServices/networkDefaults.plist
- /Users/user1/Library/Caches/GeoServices/Experiments.pbd
This virus then writes the following files on your Mac:
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server.plist-lock
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod 3)/default-shields-index-108@2x.shieldindex
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/default-shields-large-143.shieldpack
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/default-shields-index-small-62.shieldindex
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/default-shields-xxsmall-7@2x.shieldpack
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/default-shields-large-220@2x.shieldpack
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/default-shields-index-large-86@2x.shieldindex
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/default-shields-index-medium-114@2x.shieldindex
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/networkDefaults.plist
/var/folders/4c/2j7t8wj96cngjk55x3sm1t2c0000gn/T/com.apple.geod/TemporaryItems/(A Document Being Saved By com.apple.geod)/ActiveTileGroup.pbd
Is SysJoker Trojan Mac a Virus?
Yes, SysJoker is a Trojan that may infect your Mac, but is also seen on Windows computers. It may be responsible for a list of malicious activities, the main which could be of the following types:
- Record video from your camera.
- Log the keystrokes you type.
- Steal files.
- Copy files.
- Delete files.
- Take screenshots.
- Record audio.
- Download files on your Mac and run them without your permission.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Disable your internet connection, Bluetooth and other connectivity modules.
Immediate removal, files backup and password changing from a safe device is strongly recommended.
How to Remove SysJoker from Your Mac
SysJoker can be deleted from your macOS if you follow the removal instructions below, in case you have experience in deleting malware by yourself. In case you lack the experience and are looking for a fast and automatic solution that is also highly effective, then the best recommendation an expert would give you is to scan your computer using an advanced Mac anti-malware software. Such a security app is designed to thoroughly scan your device and detect and remove any malicious files and folders from it completely.
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 SysJoker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SysJoker, 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 SysJoker 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 SysJoker:
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 SysJoker. 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 SysJoker. 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 SysJoker 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 SysJoker. 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 SysJoker – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SysJoker-FAQ
What is SysJoker on your Mac?
The SysJoker 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 SysJoker?
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 SysJoker?
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 SysJoker Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SysJoker 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 SysJoker?
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 SysJoker threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.