Macsweeper

SUMMARY

Behavior

Macsweeper is a misleading application for Mac OS X that may give exaggerated reports about threats on your computer.

Further Reading:
To find out more about Macsweeper and related security risks, please read the Symantec Security Response blog entry Attack of the Clones II.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version January 18, 2008 revision 040
• Latest Rapid Release version June 14, 2008 revision 017
• Initial Daily Certified version January 17, 2008 revision 033
• Latest Daily Certified version June 14, 2008 revision 016
• Initial Weekly Certified release date January 16, 2008

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Behavior
This misleading application may be silently installed by another program. It may also be manually installed from the Web site.





When the program is executed, it may remove unnecessary files and files that contain private information.

It also reports false or exaggerated system security threats on the computer.





The program then prompts the user to purchase a registered version of the software in order to remove the reported problems.





Installation
When the program is installed, it may create the following file:
%CurrentFolder%\MacSweeper.app

The program may then create the following folder:
[CURRENT USER]/Library/Caches/com.KIVViSoftware.MacSweeper

It may also create the following files:

• [CURRENT USER]/Library/Caches/com.KIVViSoftware.MacSweeper/Cache.db
• [CURRENT USER]/Library/Preferences/com.KIVViSoftware.MacSweeper.plist
• [CURRENT USER]/Library/Contextual Menu Items/MacSweeperCMI.plugin

Similar Security Risks

Cleanator

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products for Macintosh.

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Run a full system scan and repair or delete all the files detected.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  

The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

2. To scan for and delete the infected files
a. Start your Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
b. Run a full system scan. For more information on how to do this, read the document, "How to install Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh."
c. If any files are detected, click Repair (if available) or Delete.