How to remove Banshee Stealer (Mac)

What is Banshee Stealer

Banshee Stealer is a malicious software specifically targeting Mac operating systems, designed to exfiltrate sensitive data such as system information, browser details, and cryptocurrency wallet credentials. Once it infiltrates a Mac, it begins by collecting device data including the device name, OS version, and hardware specifics. This stealer can extract information from the macOS Notes app, system/user passwords, and login credentials stored in the Keychain. Additionally, it targets browsers to steal cookies, auto-fills, passwords, and payment details, affecting a wide range of browsers including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, though with varying data extraction capabilities. Banshee also compromises cryptocurrency wallets, both browser extensions and desktop applications, by stealing valuable wallet information. The presence of such malware can lead to severe privacy breaches, financial losses, and identity theft. Users are advised to scan their systems with reputable antivirus software to detect and remove Banshee Stealer, thereby protecting their sensitive information from unauthorized access.

How Banshee Stealer infected your system

Banshee Stealer primarily infects computers through techniques rooted in phishing and social engineering. Cybercriminals often disguise this malicious software as legitimate files or bundle it with seemingly harmless applications. These infected files can come in various forms, such as email attachments, deceptive downloads from dubious websites, or even through malicious advertisements. Once a user unknowingly executes the compromised file, Banshee Stealer silently infiltrates the system. It then begins its nefarious activities, extracting sensitive information like log-in credentials, financial details, and cryptocurrency wallet data. The malware’s stealthy nature ensures it remains undetected while siphoning off valuable information, posing significant risks to user privacy and security.

Remove Banshee Stealer from macOS manually

Removing Banshee Stealer from macOS requires a systematic approach that involves a combination of built-in tools, safe computing practices, and sometimes third-party software. Here’s a comprehensive guide to identifying and removing viruses from your Mac, ensuring your system’s integrity and security.

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

1. Disconnect your Mac from the Internet. This prevents the virus from sending data to its creator or downloading more malicious software. Turn off Wi-Fi and unplug any Ethernet cables.

Step 2: Enter Safe Mode

2. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode. Safe Mode performs a check of your startup disk and restricts certain software from automatically loading or opening.
   • For Intel-based Macs: Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key until you see the login window.
   • For Apple Silicon Macs: Turn off your Mac, press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window, select your startup disk, press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Use Built-in Tools for Malware Removal

3. Use Finder to identify and remove suspicious applications.
   • Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, and look for any applications you don’t recognize or didn’t intentionally download.
   • Right-click the suspicious application and select Move to Trash, then empty the Trash.
4. Use macOS built-in malware removal tool (MRT). macOS automatically runs MRT in the background, but you can manually run a malware scan by updating your software.
   • Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
   • Install any available updates, as these often include the latest security improvements and malware definitions.

Step 4: Check and remove Banshee Stealer from Login Items

Note: Banshee Stealer may set up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find suspicious entries. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove them.

Step 5: Check and remove Banshee Stealer Malicious Device Profile

Important update: Banshee Stealer can install malicious Device Profile called AdminPrefs or similarly on MacOS, that won’t allow users to make changes to browser search engine and homepage settings. Follow instructions below to remove this profile.

Remove Banshee Stealer profile

1. Go to System Preferences and click on Profiles.
2. In the list of profiles on the left side, choose AdminPrefs or other profile and click on “-” button to remove it.
3. In your case it can be named differently, in this case remove all visible profiles. Check the picture below to see how it looks like.

Step 6: Reset Your Web Browsers

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Step 7: Restore from a Backup

8. If the issue persists, consider restoring your Mac from a backup.
   • Use Time Machine or another backup system to restore your Mac to a state before it was infected.
   • Ensure the backup you choose predates the malware infection.

Prevention Tips

• Keep your macOS updated. Regularly check for and install macOS updates to ensure you have the latest security patches.
• Be cautious with downloads and attachments. Only download software from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or official websites.
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.
• Consider enabling the macOS firewall in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
• Regularly back up your Mac using Time Machine or another backup solution to ensure you can recover your system if needed.

Following these steps should help you remove most viruses from your Mac. If you continue to experience issues, consider seeking help from Apple Support or a professional cybersecurity service.