How To Remove XCSSET Malware From Mac OS

Simple Steps To Delete XCSSET Malware

XCSSET Malware is a type of hazardous computer infection that can intrude Mac devices without users’ consent and cause various hazardous issues in the machine. It has been specially designed by a team of potent cyber hackers in order to steal users’ sensitive information and is also able to encrypt data stored inside the infected PCs. Some major functionalities of this precarious virus are stealing of log-in credentials like usersname and passwords and browsing related details, alterations of displayed websites, data encryption with the motive to make ransom demands for the decryption, collection of details from specific messaging platforms and so on.

Depth Analysis of XCSSET Malware:

XCSSET Malware is a highly destructive PC threat that poses a significant hazard to both computer and user safety. It has been noticed being spread unknowingly by several developers. They share their code projects that have been stealthily compromised and inserted with vicious code. This pernicious malware can exfiltrate files from the compromised system and is also capable of stealing details of interest from Notes and Evernote. These are the apps of taking, organizing and archiving notes. This nasty infection often targets Skype, QQ, Telegram and WeChat messaging apps. It can take screenshots of the current screen and visited web pages.

As we have already mentioned, XCSSET Malware can encrypt data as well. It can operate as a ransomware and lock files and then display ransom-demanding messages. It promises to decode the encrypted data if a certain amount of ransom is paid. This notorious parasite also targets browsers and exploit over the development version of safari browser. It consumes enormous amount of memory resources and drags down the overall PC performance severely.

To summarize, XCSSET Malware can extract browser cookies; steal credentials of amoCRM, Apple ID, Google, Paypal, SIPMarket and Yandex accounts; modify the displayed webpages; prevent users from changing their passwords and if that fails – recording the newly set ones; interfere with cryptocurrency transactions by switching addresses of cryptowallets, obtain credit card details (specifically, from the Apple Store); and so forth. This perilous malware can cause both data and financial loss, lead to severe privacy issues and identity theft. And hence, a quick XCSSET Malware removal is highly recommended.

Threat Details

Name: XCSSET Malware

Type: Mac virus, Scam, Phishing

Symptoms: Tons of annoying ads, Fake pop-up messages, Files locked, identity theft, new tab settings. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Short Description: Steals users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes, Encrypts users’ personal files, Redirects people to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators,

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

How Does This Threat Enter Your PC?

Propagation of this notorious parasite is generally caused by its victims that develop software. The spiteful code would place in itself into Xcode projects and when the projects would be shared or uploaded to GitHub, the virus would be delivered to other systems. Besides, this malware is proliferated via spam campaigns, trojans, illegal activation tools (“cracks”), fake updaters and unreliable download sources as well. Scam emails are sent by the thousand by cyber actors which is referred as “spam campaigns”. They contain download links of malicious files or the files are simply attached to the emails. These files can be in multiple formats like Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archives, executables, JavaScript, etc. and when they are opened, the infection process initiates.

Tips To Prevent Malware Intrusion:

To avoid unwanted installations, you should choose only official or reliable sources to download software. Avoid emails coming from unknown sender and never open their suspicious attachments as you never known what they include. Moreover, it is necessary to update/activate products with tools or functions provided by legitimate developers. In case you are already infected with this virus, you must remove XCSSET Malware from the Mac device without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to XCSSET Malware

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 XCSSET Malware 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 XCSSET Malware 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 XCSSET Malware. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.