Migrating to new iMac with old Malware

[right mind]

I have a concern that hopefully someone on the forum has dealt with. I have a new iMac to replace my early 08 iMac. I would like to take the easy route and use migration assistant to move everything over to the new mac.
Of course I would like to get rid of the old useless files and I may try to figure that out along the way. But, My biggest concern is the occasional pop-up window that appears in the top right portion of my 08 iMac screen. Its the nasty Advanced Mac Cleaner malware that buries itself all through your directory.

Im afraid that it will pass on to my new iMac if I use the migration assistant.

Any suggestions on how to avoid passing malware from an old iMac to a new iMac?

I've heard of Malewarebytes for mac. I'm very skeptical of downloading something like this to my iMac. These things are usually the way you get into trouble.

Thanks for any help.

 

[keysofanxiety]

MalwareBytes for Mac is the application to get rid of it. No need to be skeptical as it's a legitimate application: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download/

You don't need to pay for the pro version - the free version scans & removes if you do the scans manually.

 

[rafcorporal]

Hello right mind, I have been using MalwareBytes for quite some time now and that time dates back to my Windows days. I would not hesitate using it and have found it to be a very good useful piece of software. Download the official "for Apple" issue and use it straight away; you can get a free version or a paid for version. The paid for version is an automatic run and also automatic update version whereas the free one is totally manual. You pays your money or takes your choice. I highly recommend it.

 

[ondert]

You may use malwarebytes without any issue as it is advised by Apple Support.

 

[MSastre]

Another shout out for Malwarebytes. The free version works just fine.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I've heard of Malewarebytes for mac. I'm very skeptical of downloading something like this to my iMac. These things are usually the way you get into trouble."

Try MalwareBytes.
It's an excellent piece of Mac software.
It worked for me with a small adware problem -- got rid of it like that.

IMPORTANT:
When you download MalwareBytes, it will keep "prompting you" to upgrade to the paid version.
DO NOT DO THIS! IT WILL RUN "IN FREE MODE" FOREVER! (shouting intentional)
Just keep declining the paid option, and run it "as it is".

I advise you to download it, run it, and then get back here and tell us of your results.

 

[goslowjoe]

IMPORTANT:
When you download MalwareBytes, it will keep "prompting you" to upgrade to the paid version.
DO NOT DO THIS! IT WILL RUN "IN FREE MODE" FOREVER! (shouting intentional)
Just keep declining the paid option, and run it "as it is".

I advise you to download it, run it, and then get back here and tell us of your results.

I hear you, but I really believe developers need our financial support - there is a stack of great apps for Mac out there and surely the minimal cost for a paid version is offset by an app that works well and can be trusted. Thus, there are cases where I have purchased paid versions for all my Macs (a total of six). Some of these include Etrecheck, Malwarebytes, Paragon NTFS, ExpressVPN and Pixelmator.

 

[right mind]

Lots of help here. Thanks to everyone.
As requested by Fisherman the results;

It found and quarantined 36 threats. The pop-ups were;
Mac Auto Fixer
Mac Auto fixer 2
Similar Photo Cleaner
Similar Photo Cleaner 2
maf
spc
The earliest date I could find was from
com.Safe Surf Finder Plist on August 25 2017

I don't know if this information is useful or what you were requesting but I'd thought I would post it in case it can help.
It had really buried itself within my system.
Thanks again this was some very useful information from a very knowledgable group of mac users.

 

[SecuritySteve]

As some have suggested, using a free MalwareBytes installation might help. However, I think you should consider the following too:

If you are just migrating pictures, documents, and so on - migrate those files to a USB after using MalwareBytes. Then, set up your new Mac without transferring anything. Move the files from your flash drive to your new mac's appropriate directories, and enjoy it that way.

- But why, Steve?

A: The malware supposedly embeds itself in your home directory structure. Using Migration Assistant will copy your entire home directory into the new administrative user account. If the malware is persistent after a MalwareBytes scan and clean, using Migration Assistant will carry it over.

- Well, what if the documents and pictures directories are infected too? I mean they are in the home folder ...

A: You should copy the files individually, and take great care not to copy anything you don't need. Some malware likes to hide as a hidden file in the directory, so don't just copy the parent folder (Pictures, Documents, etc). If you want to see if there are any hidden folders in the directory, navigate to the folder in question and use the following keystrokes:

Command  Shift  .

You can press the keystroke sequence again to hide the hidden files. Note that the following files are not malware, and are typical in a directory:

Thumbs.db
$Recycle.BIN
desktop.ini
Icon?
DS.STORE

- But this takes longer ...

A: It's safer, especially if you know you are infected.