Understanding on Macs

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Tom Bonanno & Bruce Mitchell - December 8, 2020 Plenty of Mac users will tell you that Apple are inherently secure and don't require protection. We'd argue that they are wrong - or overconfdent, at the very least. Mac threats increased by 400 percent in 2019 (compared to 2018) according to the a report from . The bad guys are targeting Mac users these days and they're getting smarter and greedier.

As a result, cyber security is important than ever, and good antivirus is the best place to start if you want to stay safe. https://www.intego.com/mac-malware-definitions What is Malware? Virus

Trojan Horse

Worm

Botnet Definition: software that is specifically designed Spam to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access Exploit to a system Malware is short for malicious software. small bits of code when opened infect files and applications Macs have very few viruses. Enters under the pretense of usefulness but actually contains malicious code Worms spread over networks files and carryout malicious actions Secretly monitors your computing behavior and collect personal information Compromises computers and then sends spam to attack other computers Can crowd your Mail inbox and cause significant loss of productivity breaks through your Mac’s security defenses There are sometimes internet sites which will try to deceive with fake web pages and pop-ups. Scam Do Not Call. It's important to understand that this is not a computer virus, and your Mac has not been infected with any malware. It is also very important that you do NOT call the phone number listed in this window. This is a scam, and you should not spend any money or share your personal information with anyone to get rid of these messages. If you do happen to call one of these phone numbers, you will more than likely be asked to install special software on your Mac that will allow them to remotely access information on your computer and possibly compromise your system further.

https://support.intego.com/hc/en-us/articles/207113578-About-the-Web-Browser-Pop-up-Alert-Scam#whattodo So if you or a friend fell for the scam what would you do? Immediately call the credit card company to dispute or cancel the charge. Unfortunately they may need to cancel that credit card number as the bank may feel it was compromised.

Then track down all auto payments. If you did call that number and downloaded something…

There may also still be some screen sharing software installed on the computer. Typically it was a one time session download software that can easily be found in the download folder and thrown away. But another place to check is in System Preferences > User and Groups > Login Items. View in the Finder

Nothing suspicious here This is Questionable Software Minus sign removes item In a web search for software there are bogus results that will install the malicious software. These suspicious software applications to get installed are like MacKeeper, Zip Cloud, Mega Backups, Mac Cleaner, and others. They begin to take over the menu bar, pop up windows in the Finder and create an annoyance outside of the . Apple introduced a feature called Auto Resume where it creates a saved state of the application. When you reopen certain applications and you did not close a fle or web page in this case that was open, it re-opens to the last page you had open automatically. By-pass that feature. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204005

Safe Mode or Command-S as you re-start Keep unchecked So to stop the issue, go to the Apple Menu and select Force Quit. Force Quit the web browser application with the fake pop-up.

Here is the trick. Before attempting to open the web browser again, hold down your SHIFT key on the keyboard and while holding that down, click the web browser icon in the dock. This will force the browser to open the default page rather than the “saved state” of the malicious page. Malicious Software

Adware are applications that inform the user that their Mac now has problems and viruses that their software can fx it. So they bait the user into believing there is a problem, then suggest the only way to fx it is to pay them for the software. is unwanted software designed to throw advertisements up on your screen, most often within a web browser. Some security professionals view it as the forerunner of the modern-day PUP (potentially unwanted program). Typically, it uses an underhanded method to either disguise itself as legitimate, or piggyback on another program to trick you into installing it on your computer, tablet, or mobile device.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/adware/ Get the latest software updates from Apple

Keeping your software up to date is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your Apple product's security. Built-in Protection in Mac OS

Gatekeeper

Allows only trusted Apps to be Installed 10/23/20, 2:22 PM Page 1 of 1

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Safely open apps on your Mac Gatekeeper macOS includes a technology called Gatekeeper, that's designed to ensure that only trusted software runs on your Mac.

The safest place to get apps for your Mac is the App Store. Apple reviews each app in the App Store before itʼs accepted and signs it to ensure that it hasnʼt been tampered with or altered. If thereʼs ever a problem with an app, Apple can quickly remove it from the store.

If you download and install apps from the internet or directly from a developer, macOS continues to protect your Mac. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer and that it has not been altered. By default, macOS Catalina also requires software to be notarized, so you can be confident that the software you run on your Mac doesn't contain known malware. Before opening downloaded software for the first time, macOS requests your approval to make sure you arenʼt misled into running software you didnʼt expect. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491

Running software that hasnʼt been signed and notarized may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy.

View the app security settings on your Mac

By default, the security and privacy preferences of your Mac are set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers. For additional security, you can chose to allow only apps from the App Store.

In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General. Click the lock and enter your password to make changes. Select App Store under the header “Allow apps downloaded from.”

Open a developer-signed or notarized app

If your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers, the first time that you launch a new app, your Mac asks if youʼre sure you want to open it.

An app that has been notarized by Apple indicates that Apple checked it for malicious software and none was detected:

Prior to macOS Catalina, opening an app that hasn't been notarized shows a yellow warning icon and asks if you're sure you want to open it:

If you see a warning message and canʼt install an app

If you have set your Mac to allow apps only from the App Store and you try to install an app from elsewhere, your Mac will say that the app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store.*

If your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers, and you try to install an app that isnʼt signed by an identified developer or—in macOS Catalina—notarized by Apple, you also see a warning that the app cannot be opened.

If you see this warning, it means that the app was not notarized, and Apple could not scan the app for known malicious software.

You may want to look for an updated version of the app in the App Store or look for an alternative app.

If macOS detects a malicious app

If macOS detects that an app has malicious content, it will notify you when you try to open it and ask you to move it to the Trash.

How to open an app that hasnʼt been notarized or is from an unidentified developer

Running software that hasnʼt been signed and notarized may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. If youʼre certain that an app you want to install is from a trustworthy source and hasnʼt been tampered with, you can temporarily override your Mac security settings to open it.

In macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave, when an app fails to install because it hasnʼt been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, it will appear in System Preferences > Security & Privacy, under the General tab. Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.

The warning prompt reappears, and you can click Open.*

The app is now saved as an exception to your security settings, and you can open it in the future by double-clicking it, just as you can any authorized app.

*If you're prompted to open Finder: control-click the app in Finder, choose Open from the menu, and then click Open in the dialog that appears. Enter your admin name and password to open the app.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: October 07, 2019

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https://www.malwarebytes.com

Another Excellent Virus scanning/removal Apple App Store 2

https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/apple-notarizes-new-mac-malware-again/ Free vs Paid Anti Virus Software

The free Malwarebytes and Intego VirusBarrier Scanner run after the Mac is possibly infected and does not block or intercept malware.

The paid versions of anti-virus software intercepts as you surf a website.

It depends on what level of protection you need. Best Paid Antivirus for Mac

Intego Mac X9 Antivirus for Mac 360 Standard for Mac Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac ESET Cyber Security for Mac Home Premium for Mac Airo Antivirus for Mac Antivirus for Mac We are looking at this one as Intego virus software has very good ratings and we are familiar with it. With the Cyber Monday Sale

1 License @ $20 I paid $36 for 3 Macs (Purchased Dec.5) Virus Barrier Scanner is the free version

This is from Intego Virus Barrier paid version With your iPhone and iPad there is no anti-virus or malware software in the App Store. Just keep your device updated with security updates. There had been a quantum jump in the number of malware attacks on the Mac. That will likely continue.

• Do Mac OS security updates • Have at least a free version of malware software on your Mac • If you have issues consider a paid subscription. • Free trials are often available. Questions and Comments

Tom & Bruce - Dec. 8, 2020