How to uninstall OceanLotus malware from Mac computers

What is OceanLotus?

Research shows that the OceanLotus 'backdoor' targets MacOS computers. Cyber criminals behind this backdoor have already used this malware to attack human rights and media organizations, some research institutes, and maritime construction companies .

The OceanLotus backdoor is distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer and a malicious Word document (it is likely that threat authors distribute the document via malspam emails).

If opened, the aforementioned malicious Word document suggests that users enable macros commands. If enabled, these extract an executable file, which is the dropper of the OceanLotus backdoor (designed to install the backdoor onto the operating system and establish its persistence).

OceanLotus is designed to collect operating system information (such as serial numbers, hardware UUIDs, MAC addresses, OS versions), encrypt the details, and send it to its Command and Control (C&C) server. There are at last three servers that this malware uses: mihannevis[.]com, mykessef[.]com and idtpl[.]org.

Since OceanLotus is a backdoor Trojan, it can receive backdoor commands as well. Research shows that supported commands allow cyber criminals to download and execute files on the infected machines, run various commands in Terminal, upload, remove/delete files, send files to servers, and get configuration information.

In this way, OceanLotus provides cyber criminals with remote access to infected computers and allows them to perform certain actions. They can use this backdoor to collect system information, download personal files (documents, photos, etc.) and install malicious software including ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, Trojans, and other software of this kind.

Threat Summary:

Name	OceanLotus malware
Threat Type	Backdoor, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (FlashUpdate.app.zip)	Avast (MacOS:OceanLotus-Q [Trj]), BitDefender (Trojan.MAC.OceanLotus.B), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/OceanLotus.A), Kaspersky (HEUR:Backdoor.OSX.OceanLotus.a), Full List (VirusTotal).
Detection Names (malicious document)	Avast (MacOS:OceanLotus-H [Trj]), BitDefender (Trojan.MAC.Generic.2316), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/OceanLotus.E), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Dropper.OSX.OceanLotus.a), Full List (VirusTotal).
Symptoms	Backdoor 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	Infected email attachments, fake Adobe Flash Player installers, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Some examples of other malware that is compatible with macOS are Bird Miner, Eleanor, Proton, and AppleJeus.

Cyber criminals attempt to trick users into installing malware, which steals sensitive information that can then be misused for malicious purposes (e.g., to make fraudulent purchases and transactions, steal identities), and to install other malware onto the system.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

OceanLotus can be found in a malicious Word document that installs this backdoor when users enable macros commands.

It is very likely that the aforementioned document is distributed via malspam emails. In most cases, these emails are disguised as important, official messages from legitimate organizations, companies, or other entities.

Some examples of other file types that can be used to distribute malware via emails are JavaScript files, executable files (like .exe), and archive files such as ZIP, RAR. OceanLotus is also distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer, which has nothing to do with the legitimate installer for the Adobe Flash Player.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind.

Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Malicious Word document used to distribute OceanLotus backdoor:

Example of a MS Word document used to spread OceanLotus Backdoor:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is OceanLotus?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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