Remove Gmera from Mac OS

Easy steps to delete Gmera frequently

Gmera is also known as Kassi Trojan that is defined as dangerous computer virus which is described itself as Stockfolio, a legitimate and useful trading apps created for Mac users. According to experts, there are two variants of this malware one as Trojan.MacOS.GMERA.A and the other as Trojan.MacOS.GMERA.B. Additionally, cyber criminals behind this proliferate this malware into your device to steal various information and upload it to a website under their control. This perilous threat is mainly designed by hackers to intrude into the targeted system and steal personal information of users.

Furthermore, Gmera can break down your firewall security to make your computer more vulnerable to other threats and malware. It can modify your DNS settings to take complete control over your internet connection after which it will connect to remote server for downloading malicious scripts on your PC. It can also redirect your browser on harmful websites to download some more threats and viruses. After intrusion, one operates as ‘persistence mechanism’ which allows this malware to stay active even after system restarts, reboots etc.

Moreover, Trojan.MacOS.GMERA.A can collect user’s information such as IP address, applications within the “Applications” folder and files in the “~/Documents” and “~/Desktop” directories. Despite this, it can also collect details such as OS installation date, graphic or display information, wireless network information that are used to obtain screenshots. Later, all details are shared with third parties who misuse those data in order to generate revenue. Thus, if you believe that your system is infected by Gmera malware, then you should try to remove it immediately.

Threat specification

Name: Gmera

Threat Type: Trojan, Information Stealer, banking malware, spyware.     

Short Description: The Gmera Mac Trojan can spy on the victims and steal their files.

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: Malicious variant of legitimate Stockfolio app, infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software ‘cracks’.

Damage: Stolen information, documents, screenshots, and other files.

Removal: Both automatic as well as manual malware removal guide have been described below under this article.

How did PUAs install?

To distribute this malicious programs into your computer, cyber criminals behind this use various different methods. Some of them are untrustworthy file or software download sources, spam campaigns, fake software updating tools, Trojans and unofficial activation tools. Trojans are malicious programs that cause installation of additional malware. If your PC is infected with Trojan, it will be probably infected with other malware. Further, they often try to infect PC through malicious files that they attach to emails. Cyber crooks send this emails to many people and hope that at least one of them will open the attached file. Once done, it downloads and installs ransomware or other malware. So, you are advised not to use such vicious sources as they are main reasons for malware distribution.

How to avoid installation of malware?

It is strongly recommended not to open emails or files that seem irrelevant or especially comes from unknown senders. All programs and files should only be downloaded by using official and trustworthy websites. Other tools that are mentioned in above paragraph should be avoided since cyber criminals use them to infiltrate malware. It is important to read terms and agreements carefully while installing any program. The most important thing keeps all installed software updated and activated by using tools provided by genuine software developers. Moreover, if your computer is already infected with PUAs like Gmera then we recommend you running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to eliminate infiltrated malware automatically.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Gmera

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