Remove OceanLotus from Mac OS

Simple process to delete OceanLotus

Threat summary

Name: OceanLotus

Type: backdoor, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: A dangerous malware which can be used to evoke a series of dangerous actions.

Symptoms: The victims may notice performance issues and can get infected with other malware.

Distribution methods: infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, fake Adobe Flash Player installers

Damage: cause permanent data loss, display of unwanted ads, redirects to unknown websites, loss of sensitive information.

Removal: Use Combo Cleaner Antivirus to remove OceanLotus and all possible malware infection soon from the Mac computer.

OceanLotus is described as devastating Trojan horse that can easily target Mac operating system. Cyber criminals behind this have already used this malware to attack human rights and media organizations, maritime construction companies and some research institutes. This type of malware is distributed through fake Adobe Flash Player installer and by using malicious word document. However, this type of infection is considered to be high risk computer infection.

It is common that developers distribute that document through malspam emails. Once user opened such documents, they are asked to enable macros commands.  If done, OceanLotus malware gets downloaded and installed on the operating system and establish its persistence. It also invites other harmful infection like as malware, spyware, adware and other threats by the open backdoor that may cause severe damage to the system.

Moreover, OceanLotus is also designed in a way to collect OS related information like MAC address, OS version, UUID etc. By doing so, they send it to its Command and Control server. There are three servers used for this malware are: mihannevis[.]com, mykessef[.]com and idtpl[.]org. Usually, it is a backdoor Trojan and it can receive backdoor commands as well. This command allows cyber criminals to download and execute files on the infected system.

Simply said, OceanLotus provides cyber criminals a remote access  to infected computers and allow them to perform various mischievous activities. Basically, they can use this malware to collect system information, download personal files and install malicious software like ransomware, cryptocurrency miner, Trojan and others. Thus, to avoid all these things happening in future, users are recommended to remove this malware as soon as possible.

Ways to spread OceanLotus:

This dubious malware are mainly distributed via using  the most popular methods called spam campaigns. It is used to send out scam emails containing malicious files or downloading links of those files attached to them. such emails are disguised as official and important. The files present on them are in various formats such as exe files, archive files, PDF documents and so on. When users open or execute those files, users are triggered into processing of downloading or installing malware. Despite this, there are some more common methods used for the distribution of OceanLotus are illegal software activation tools, unreliable file download sources, software cracking tools, fake updater and many more.

Remove OceanLotus

Complete removal instructions have been discussed below. Go through it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. Instead this, you can also use reliable antimalware removal tool that has the capability to remove OceanLotus and all infiltrated malware completely and safely from the Mac operating system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to OceanLotus

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