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Raisen223

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 26, 2012
48
0
Okay, so from a while ago, I've found out that I've had the "iWorm" malware on my Mac. It stopped my Mac from being able to update, but I removed it successfully and updated my hosts file. Anyways, my issue now is that my Wi-Fi constantly disconnects for no reason at all. Is this linked to the 'iWorm', or is there a virus on my Mac? Or am I worrying too much over nothing, and there's a much simpler reason behind this? Sorry, but this is my first Mac, so I'm really confused.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
There are currently no viruses out in the wild for OSX. Malware, yes, viruses no.
 

Raisen223

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 26, 2012
48
0
There are currently no viruses out in the wild for OSX. Malware, yes, viruses no.
Thank god. Okay, now what may be the issue with my Wi-Fi? I have very little experience with Macs, so I can't really troubleshoot this on my own.
 

johannnn

macrumors 68020
Nov 20, 2009
2,314
2,599
Sweden
Thank god. Okay, now what may be the issue with my Wi-Fi? I have very little experience with Macs, so I can't really troubleshoot this on my own.
Start by logging in to a Guest User or a new account (both can be configured in System Preferences) and see if the problem persists.

Oh, and you might look over your internet habits if you get a worm on a Mac. It's not as easy as on Windows I promise.
 

S.B.G

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 8, 2010
26,639
10,407
Detroit
Another thing to note, for peace of mind, is that on, or about, October 4th, Apple updated the xProtect files to look for and block this particular piece of malware.

As for the Wi-Fi, I'm not sure. Was this happening before you noticed the iWorm? You might try doing a Time Machine restore from before the malware got onto your system if you think they're related.
 

Raisen223

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 26, 2012
48
0
Great. And it was from a before I discovered the worm, but I believe they're linked. Anyways, I'll perform a full-system scan, check all of my system files for anything suspicious and update my hosts file once more. I guess that's the best that I can do when I know nothing about what may've infected my Mac.
 

S.B.G

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 8, 2010
26,639
10,407
Detroit
Great. And it was from a before I discovered the worm, but I believe they're linked. Anyways, I'll perform a full-system scan, check all of my system files for anything suspicious and update my hosts file once more. I guess that's the best that I can do when I know nothing about what may've infected my Mac.

You can read more about this particular malware here at ZDNet, where they even cite the MacRumors article I linked above.

Really all you need to do to protect yourself is not to visit nefarious websites, download pirated software and follow a rule I tell everyone who isn't real computer savvy. 'Do not install software you didn't go looking for.'

This Mac Virus/Malware Guide is also a great place to learn more.
 

Hrothgar

macrumors 6502a
Mar 11, 2009
525
22
New York
Help:I may have a virus/malware on my Mac or Chrome.

I did a bad thing. I thought I was downloading some music from the Internet (I don't remember the site). It was a DMG file, and I made the mistake of installing. I quit the install mid-way, but something bad must have happened.

My MBP (late 2011) slowed down. I moved the file to the trash, but when I tried to empty the trash, it kept getting hung up. It said that a program in the trash was running. I checked my activities and didn't see anything. I did a hard-shut down of the computer. When I turned it on again, everything was very slow. I tried to empty the trash again, and eventually, after a few minutes, it completed. (I've deleted a lot of stuff from my computer, it never took this long.

Now, it seems that the computer runs slow doing basic tasks. More important, I'm getting tons of pop-up ads and new window ads when I use Chrome. (It doesn't seem to have affected Safari.) I cleared the cookie, browsing history and everything else from Chrome, but the problem is still happening.

Any ideas how to deal with this? I'm worried about opening Chrome on a different computer in case whatever is in my Chrome "profile" gets sent over.

Is there a good way to scan my Mac for viruses and malware?
 

MisterMe

macrumors G4
Jul 17, 2002
10,709
69
USA
...

Any ideas how to deal with this? I'm worried about opening Chrome on a different computer in case whatever is in my Chrome "profile" gets sent over.

Is there a good way to scan my Mac for viruses and malware?
Jeez. Two things:
  1. Chrome is not a vector for malware.
  2. When you stopped the install, you probably did not stop the installer. It is still running. If you can't find it, then just log out and then log back in.
 

Hrothgar

macrumors 6502a
Mar 11, 2009
525
22
New York
Thanks.

When you say the installer might have continued to run, would that mean it could have installed something on my Mac? Or should I assume it put something on Chrome?

I did log out of Chrome when I cleared the cookies, and then closed the app and re-started the computer. Still got the popups when I opened it up again.
 

melman101

macrumors 68030
Sep 3, 2009
2,751
295
Thanks.

When you say the installer might have continued to run, would that mean it could have installed something on my Mac? Or should I assume it put something on Chrome?

I did log out of Chrome when I cleared the cookies, and then closed the app and re-started the computer. Still got the popups when I opened it up again.

My guess is it would have installed software to your Mac. Not to chrome.
 

Hrothgar

macrumors 6502a
Mar 11, 2009
525
22
New York
That's what I thought as well.

What do people do to get rid of malware from their Macs? Is there a recommended program?
 
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