Tech Tip: How to Fix Apple Device Vulnerabilities
By • January 9, 2023 0 697
Let’s examine what Elastic Security Labs has discovered, and what can be done about it.
Macs Can Get Malware, Albeit Less Often
According to Elastic Security Labs’ research, 54% of malware impacts Windows devices, as compared to 6.2% being found on machines running macOS. However, a full 48% of macOS devices can be infected via the same app.
Somewhat ironically, the app responsible is MacKeeper — a utility that provides assorted tools to help maintain a computer’s privacy and security, which requires it to have somewhat nebulous access permissions.
MacKeeper is legitimate software, but it has been hijacked and used for malicious purposes.
For this reason, it is likely wiser to remove it.
Here’s how to do so:
Deleting MacKeeper from macOS
- Navigate to the Finder app
- Select Applications
- Locate MacKeeper
- Make sure you have This Mac selected and click the plus sign
- Open the dropdown by selecting Name
- Select Other
- Tick the checkbox next to System Files
- Click Name and select System Files
- Change aren’t included to are included
- Right-click and select Move to Trash for all files in the folder
- Right-click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash
Hopefully, this will help eliminate a big source of threats from your macOS device. We can help you with the rest of your technology as well.
To learn more, contact us at (703) 821-8200 today or reach out to Computerware at Cwit.com.
Alan Edwards, CISM, is chief information officer at Computerware, Inc., in Vienna, Virginia.
