Mac Viruses

AltostratusOpacus is a malicious browser extension that has been reported to infect computers and manipulate browser settings without the user's consent. It is named after a type of cloud, but in the context of cybersecurity, it refers to a harmful software that can compromise the security and functionality of your computer. The AltostratusOpacus extension is considered malware because it performs actions on a user's computer without their consent and can potentially compromise their security and privacy. Once installed, it can change browser settings, redirect searches, and potentially collect sensitive data. Users have reported that their searches are redirected to unwanted sites, and that their browser settings are changed to indicate that their browser is being managed by an organization. This can be a sign that the extension has taken control of certain browser settings. Removing the AltostratusOpacus extension can be challenging, as it has been reported to reappear even after users attempt to delete it. This suggests that the extension may have the ability to reinstall itself or resist removal attempts.

AccessibleTool is an adware-type application that belongs to the AdLoad malware family. Adware is designed to generate revenue for its developers by feeding users with undesirable and potentially malicious advertisements. This software enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, banners, overlays, coupons, etc.) on visited websites and/or other interfaces. It's important to note that even if AccessibleTool does not display ads, it remains a threat to device and user safety. Once installed on a Mac, AccessibleTool can cause various issues. It can display intrusive advertisements, such as pop-ups, banners, and coupons, on the user's browser. These advertisements can be annoying and can disrupt the user's browsing experience. In some cases, the advertisements can even execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations. AccessibleTool can also track the user's online activities. It can collect information such as visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, and even usernames and passwords. This information can be used for various purposes, such as targeted advertising or identity theft.

Video Downloader is a browser extension that, while promising to allow users to easily download videos from the internet, also displays advertisements in the browser and can lead to various security issues. This extension is classified as adware, a type of malicious software that delivers unwanted advertisements to users. Once installed, the Video Downloader extension begins to display advertisements in the browser, often in places where they shouldn't be. It can also redirect website links to different sites than expected and manipulate browser search queries to go through unwanted search engines. More alarmingly, the Video Downloader extension can spy on users' browsing activity, collecting data such as browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. This collected data can then be sold to third parties, potentially leading to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. The Video Downloader extension primarily targets web browsers, with Google Chrome being a common target. However, it's not limited to Chrome; it can also affect other browsers that support similar extension frameworks, such as Microsoft Edge.

PureLand Stealer is a type of malware that specifically targets Mac devices. It falls under the category of "stealer" malware, which are programs designed to extract sensitive information from infected systems. PureLand primarily targets cryptocurrency wallets and other sensitive data, posing a significant threat to the integrity of the infected device and the user's privacy. Once PureLand successfully infiltrates a system, it may display a prompt requesting the victim to provide the password for "Chrome Safe Storage". If access is gained, the stealer then attempts to extract information from the Google Chrome browser, including internet cookies and saved login credentials (usernames/passwords). While PureLand Stealer is primarily a malware designed to steal sensitive information, it also exhibits adware-like behavior. Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements, often in the form of pop-ups, on a user's device. It's not clear from the search results how PureLand Stealer functions as adware on Mac devices, but it's possible that it could display unwanted ads or redirect users to certain websites to generate ad revenue.

Re-captha-version-3-58.top is a deceptive website that exploits browser push notifications to spam devices with unwanted ads and potentially harmful content. It is classified as a rogue browser hijacker that can cause significant disruption to the user's browsing experience and potentially pose a security risk to the user's device and personal data. Re-captha-version-3-58.top exploits browser notifications to send intrusive spam advertisements to unsuspecting users. The site uses deceptive alerts that trick users into enabling push notifications. These notifications are then used to deliver frequent and potentially harmful spam. Once activated, Re-captha-version-3-58.top persistently bombards the user's device with inappropriate pop-up ads, even when the browser is closed. These ads can range from bogus alerts about virus infections to a barrage of unwelcome advertisements. Clicking on these ads could redirect users to unsafe websites or potentially install malware. Re-captha-version-3-58.top can affect various browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It can also affect different devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, and Android devices.

Pirrit is a sophisticated adware family that primarily targets macOS systems. It was first discovered in 2016 and has been actively distributed since then. Adware refers to unwanted applications that generate revenue for their creators by displaying intrusive and often deceptive advertisements. Pirrit is more malicious than its Windows counterpart as it takes total control of the machine, making it very hard for the user to remove it. Once installed, Pirrit adware displays intrusive ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, and pop-ups, often concealing the underlying content of visited websites. It also collects user data to display targeted ads and can redirect users to malicious websites, potentially leading to further malware infections. Pirrit adware significantly affects the performance of the infected Mac, making it slower and less responsive. It also poses a risk to user privacy and security as it can gather sensitive data and expose it to potential exfiltration. Moreover, Pirrit adware is extremely hard for the average user to remove. It does not have a configuration screen or an entry in the /Applications directory, making it difficult for users to even realize that their system is infected.

Earthheartsmith.top is a deceptive website that exploits browser push notifications to bombard users with intrusive spam advertisements. It is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and browser hijacker. The site tricks visitors into enabling push notifications using fake system warnings and alerts. For instance, it may display a fake notification claiming your browser is “out of date” and you need to “allow notifications” to update it. However, enabling notifications does nothing to update your browser. Instead, it grants Earthheartsmith.top permission to send push notification spam directly to your desktop or mobile device. Once enabled, Earthheartsmith.top will constantly bombard your device with inappropriate pop-up ads, even when your browser is closed. The spam push notifications promote things like adult and dating content, freemium games and apps, software update scams, weight loss or brain enhancement supplements, and other dubious products and services. By tricking users into granting push notification approval, Earthheartsmith.top completely bypasses browser pop-up blockers and directly inundates devices on a system-wide scale. Earthheartsmith.top can affect a wide range of browsers and devices. It can send push notifications to both desktop and mobile devices. It can affect popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

DelphiniumElatum is untrustworthy application identified during the analysis of a malicious installer obtained from an unreliable website. This application has the capability to activate the "Managed by your organization" feature in Chrome and Edge browsers, read diverse data, and oversee extensions and themes within a browser. When the "Managed by your organization" feature is activated, it enables an external source, often an organization or specific software, to manage various aspects of the browser settings. Enabling this feature without proper authorization or from unreliable sources can result in a loss of control, privacy issues, security risks, interference with the user experience, and difficulties in reverting the changes. The DelphiniumElatum malicious extension is known to affect Chrome and Edge browsers. It can manipulate browser settings, manage themes, and control extensions. Its potential for unauthorized alterations, installation of unwanted extensions, performance degradation, and heightened security and privacy risks make it a concerning application.