How To Remove NetWeirdRC RAT (Mac)

Easy Steps To Delete NetWeirdRC RAT

NetWeirdRC RAT is a Remote Access Trojan that mainly targets Mac OS X 10.6 (and later) but can also infect Windows, Linux and Solarie operating systems. This precarious cyber infection has been specially created and spread by potent cyber criminals in order to take control over the targeted Mac computers and perform multiple activities inside the device such as stealing sensitive information and files, installing other malware and so on. RATs usually don’t show up in the list of active programs and running processes, which means they can be hidden in the device performing malicious activities for a long time without being noticed.

Depth Analysis of NetWeirdRC RAT:

Upon successful intrusion into the Mac system, NetWeirdRC RAT enables processes within Task Manager, reverses proxying, explores and alters registry entries, enables the advanced plug-in system and other vicious activities. It subsequently allows the people behind the virus to connect to the system remotely and start harvesting banking credentials, logging keystrokes, taking screenshots, recording videos from webcams, stealing Bitcoin wallets, and, in general, leading to huge financial losses. The presence of this notorious trojan in your work-station brings several other issues. Users might encounter the following symptoms:

• Unsolicited mouse movements
• Unknown files running in the background
• Software crashes
• System reboots
• Errors and BSODs
• High CPU usage etc.

Since NetWeirdRC RAT represents a variety of different threats, the goal of the parasite might also vary. For example, it might aim to steal sensitive data in the background with the help of several functions including screenshot taking, keylogging etc. Personal data is among the most desired attributes in the cybercriminal world, the information can be sold on the dark web for profit or leveraged to steal money from bank accounts and similar. Without a doubt, such activity can harm the infected users greatly, resulting in vast financial losses, as well as identity theft.

Nevertheless, NetWeirdRC RAT might have other goals, including cryptomining. This process helps cyber hackers to obtain digital currency, such as Bitcoin or Monero, by using a botnet of infected PCs. In such a case, the infected users could experience lag, software crashes, OS reboots, high usage of hardware (fan in particular), and high CPU/GPU usage. Unfortunately, such viruses often operate silently and are not easy to be detected at the initial time. As soon as you detect its presence, perform NetWeirdRC RAT removal from the machine.

Quick Glance

Name– NetWeirdRC RAT

Category– Mac virus, Trojan, password-stealing virus, spyware

Description– Enables cyber criminals to access the infected device remotely, Steals users’ vital data for advertising motives and also to generate illicit income for the creators by misusing those details, Deactivates all the running security services of the infected device and drop more parasites in the machine as well as help the criminals to get access to system.

Symptoms– Slowness of system’s performance, fake error messages, security alerts, intrusive ads and pop-ups, unwanted redirects to questioning sites and so on.

Distribution– Spam email campaigns, malicious file downloads, P2P file sharing, and many more.

Removal– Manual and automatic guidelines as provided under this article

How Does This Virus Enter Your PC?

Most of the users don’t take malware threats seriously and act careless when using their computers. For example, opening spam emails and their malicious attachments, downloading software cracks or pirated software installers are the leading causes for RAT infections which infect hundreds of users everyday. Yet, many still risk their online security and PC safety despite knowing about the risks.

Unfortunately, using anti-malware suite is not enough to protect you from all harm online. Cyber crooks are sophisticated individuals and they are always looking for ways how to evade the implemented security measures and prevent anti-malware tools from detecting viruses. Therefore, there are several other things you should keep in mind to protect your device from NetWeirdRC RAT or other infections, including:

• Never allow spam email attachments to run macro function and do not click on suspicious links inside;
• Update your operating system and installed programs on a regular basis (as soon as patches are released);
• Employ a VPN When using Remote Desktop and never use a default TCP/UDP port;
• Protect all your accounts with strong passwords and use two-factor authentication where possible;
• Do not download software cracks, loaders, keygens, and other suspicious tools.

Remove Files and Folders Related to NetWeirdRC RAT

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 NetWeirdRC RAT 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 NetWeirdRC RAT 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 NetWeirdRC RAT. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.