UpdateAgent Mac Malware: How to Detect & Remove It?

UpdateAgent: A Continuous Digital Arms Race

UpdateAgent is a typical case of a digital arms race between tech companies and cybercriminals, both sides constantly try to surpass each other. It is a malware targeting Mac systems that has evolved over the years, adding new ways of attacking to bypass macOS's security mechanisms.

This article will conduct in-depth analysis of the UpdateAgent virus working mechanism and guide you on how to clear it from your Mac system.

How to detect UpdateAgent in Mac system

As with many viruses, UpdateAgent malware does not want to be easily discovered. However, if your Mac is infected, you may notice some obvious signs:

• A lot of pop-up ads suddenly appear when browsing the web;
• The browser accidentally jumps to a page outside of the website or search engine you expected;
• The browser homepage is changed for no reason;
• The website displays abnormally or looks different from usual.

How to clear UpdateAgent virus

Manually clearing the UpdateAgent virus is not easy. It is able to hide itself and create startup proxy items, making it difficult to locate and clear.

Here are some basic steps you can try:

• Delete unwanted applications: Check your Applications folder for applications you did not install, pirated applications, or applications from untrusted developers;
• Delete LaunchAgents: In Finder, click "Go to" > "Go to Folder" in the menu bar, and then type "~/Library/LaunchAgents". View this folder and delete any suspicious files. Perform the same operation on the "~/Library/LaunchDaemons" folder;
• Remove malicious browser plug-in: Check your web browser for any suspicious extensions. You can usually find installed plugins in your browser settings, which you can access through the menu bar.

Unfortunately, these operations alone may not completely clear the UpdateAgent. The best way to clean up Mac malware is to use antivirus software like MacKeeper. This will allow you to scan your computer for a full scan and automatically detect viruses.

How to protect your Mac from UpdateAgent infection

Instead of trying to remove UpdateAgent from your Mac, prevent it from infecting your system. Here are the best precautions:

Download software from a safe source

UpdateAgent is usually hidden in seemingly legitimate software. However, you can reduce the risk of infection by sticking to a safe and reliable source of software.

The safest way to do this is to download the software from the Mac App Store. If you want to download software from external sources, try to stick to the official website of a trusted company.

Use genuine software

Avoid using cracked versions of pirated software or genuine applications. These software usually come with malware.

Also, please pay attention to the warning message on your Mac. If you see a message that macOS cannot verify that this application is free of malware, you should stop the operation immediately.

Update your Mac system

Keep Mac system updated is an important part of ensuring its security. In addition to updating macOS, you also need to update third-party applications.

The following is how to check macOS updates:

1. In "System Settings", select "General" > "Software Update";
2. If automatic update is enabled, macOS will search and install updates;
3. After installing the update, you may need to restart your Mac.

Installing antivirus software

Antivirus software can easily remove malware, especially when it provides real-time protection. This will continuously check for changes and new applications for your Mac, remind you of suspicious activity and block malware.

Here is how to use real-time antivirus features in MacKeeper:

1. In MacKeeper, select Antivirus from the sidebar. You should see "Real Time Protection Enabled" in the center of MacKeeper. If not, please click the "Enable" button;
2. You can also adjust this function. Select "MacKeeper">"Settings" from the menu bar;
3. In the "Antivirus" section, choose whether MacKeeper isolates suspicious files automatically or notify you first.

For additional protection, our experts strongly recommend that you run on-demand scans in your MacKeeper application.

What is UpdateAgent?

UpdateAgent is a malware targeting computers running macOS. More specifically, it is a Trojan virus that is usually masqueraded as or hidden in legitimate software.

The most common ways to infect UpdateAgent:

• Driver download;
• Malicious ads and pop-ups;
• Email attachment;
• Piracy software or cracked version.

Function of UpdateAgent

Microsoft has been tracking this malware for many years. One of the most interesting (and worrying) features of UpdateAgent is that it keeps updating over time, adding new features.

So far, UpdateAgent can perform the following operations on infected systems:

• Collect Mac information and send it back to the hacker;
• Download and install other software and malware, which are usually hosted on public cloud servers;
• Bypass the built-in Gatekeeper security feature of macOS;
• Hide yourself and prevent yourself from being deleted;
• Create LaunchAgent and LaunchDaemon folders to increase the difficulty of deleting;
• Run system commands with administrator privileges.

So far, UpdateAgent has been mainly used to install Adload, which attacks Mac users through ads and generates revenue for hackers. However, more dangerous payloads may be delivered at any time.

Is UpdateAgent dangerous?

In short, yes. This is particularly worrying that UpdateAgent can increase its own permissions and install more malware. Normally, Gatekeeper prevents unauthorized applications from running on your system, but UpdateAgent prevents Gatekeeper's warnings from appearing.

UpdateAgent is still being developed and upgraded, which makes it even more dangerous. We can only guess what its creators may prepare for Mac users in the future.

Make your Mac an indestructible fortress

Be sure to take Mac malware seriously, because the biggest gift you can give to cybercriminals is indifference. Therefore, our key advice is to be proactive. Follow best practice tips for cybersecurity, such as using strong passwords and avoiding opening email attachments from unknown senders.

Of course, antivirus software must also be used. With MacKeeper's antivirus features, you can not only detect and remove threats like UpdateAgent, but also prevent them from occupying your system from the start.

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