How to remove FinSpy Spyware from Mac

Easy guide to delete FinSpy Spyware

FinSpy Spyware is the name of malware that is designed and delivered by cyber criminals for the purpose of stealing data and also takes complete control over the infected system. This banking malware can be used to record audio via microphone and video via webcam, log keystrokes, extract system information, execute remote shell commands and various other data. Once intrude, the Trojan conducts severe changes on the PC and disable the firewall programs and antivirus tool.

Additionally, keystroke logging is used to record each keyboard and mouse input and can collects logins and passwords of social media accounts and banking credentials and other similar data and share them to crooks who misuse them in various fraudulent activities like transactions, purchases and for other malicious purposes. Data enumeration feature allow network resources, users name, shares and services from a computer and other information could be used to find out the vulnerabilities in computer security.

Moreover, the spyware also allow cyber criminals to access user’s webcam, microphone and take screenshots. They could use recorded material in order to blackmail the victims and ask them to pay money. If payment is not done the recorded material will be published on some other websites or send it to relatives and friends by them. Also, FinSpy Spyware can execute various commands like shut down computer, restart, or even download and execute some files that may cause installation of dubious malware.

Last but not the least, data infiltration feature allow to transfer copied data from one device to another. In short, users who have installed malware like FinSpy Spyware on the computer could become victim of identity theft, suffer from monetary loss lose access to various personal accounts and also problem relating to online privacy, browsing safety and so on. Thus, this type of notorious malware should not be installed.

How did FinSpy Spyware intrude on my PC?

This nasty malware invade into your PC through Trojans, emails, fake software updating tools and illegal activation tool. Trojans are malicious programs that can be designed to install other programs of this kind. Once PC gets infected with Trojan, it means it will get infected with other malware as well. Spam emails are send by cyber crooks that contain malicious attachments in variety of formats such as PDF documents, exe files, archive files etc to lots of people in order to trick them.

Once recipient opens such types of files, it initiates infection process. Fake software updating tool infects PC by exploiting weaknesses of outdated software or by simply installing malware instead of promised updates. Last but not the least, cracking tools can install malicious programs rather than activate the licensed product. Thus, for all these reasons, you are advised to be very cautious while downloading and installing any software.

Remove FinSpy Spyware

Complete removal instruction of malware infection has been discussed below under this article. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. Instead this process, you can also use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to remove FinSpy Spyware and all installed malware easily and effectively from the infected operating system.

Threat specification

Name: FinSpy Spyware

Type: Trojan, password-stealing virus, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short description: Aims to log keystrokes, record audio via microphone and video via webcam.

Symptoms: Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim’s computer and remain silent, and thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine.

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software ‘cracks’.

Damage: Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, and the victim’s computer added to a Botnet.

Removal: In order to remove FinSpy Spyware, you are advised to go through given below removal instructions or follow anti-malware removal tool.

Remove Files and Folders Related to FinSpy Spyware

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove FinSpy Spyware from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete FinSpy Spyware add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to FinSpy Spyware. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.