How to remove SHub from infected macOS systems

What kind of malware is SHub?

SHub is an information stealer targeting macOS users. It can extract data from web browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, and other applications. Its distribution involves the use of a fake website and the ClickFix technique. If detected on a device, SHub should be eliminated as soon as possible.

SHub stealer overview

Initially, a loader runs on the victim's device. It checks the system before continuing. One check looks for a Russian keyboard. If it finds one, the malware stops and reports this to the attacker. If the check passes, the loader sends the IP address, hostname, macOS version, and keyboard language to cybercriminals.

Furthermore, a script that pretends to be a normal macOS password request is downloaded. If the victim types their password, the malware can unlock the Keychain, which stores all saved passwords, Wi-Fi logins, and private keys.

After the password is stolen, SHub scans the infected macOS system for various data. It targets over 10 Chromium-based browsers, including Arc, Brave, Chrome, Chrome Beta, Chrome Canary, Chrome DevTools, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Opera GX, Orion, Sidekick, Vivaldi, and Coccoc. It also targets Firefox, stealing saved passwords, cookies, and autofill data from all profiles.

Furthermore, SHub checks all installed browser extensions. It can steal information from over a hundred known cryptocurrency wallets, including Coinbase Wallet, Exodus Web3, Keplr, MetaMask, Phantom, and Trust Wallet.

SHub also targets desktop crypto wallet apps. It collects data from wallets such as Atomic Wallet, Binance, Bitcoin Core, BlueWallet, Coinomi, Dogecoin Core, Electrum, Exodus, Guarda, Ledger Live, Ledger Wallet, Litecoin Core, Monero, Sparrow, TON Keeper, Trezor Suite, Wasabi, and others.

Additionally, the stealer grabs data from Keychain, iCloud account data, Safari cookies and browsing history, Apple Notes databases, and Telegram session files. It also copies ".zsh_history", ".bash_history", and ".gitconfig" files, which may contain API keys or authentication tokens used by developers.

Other Capabilities

SHub not only steals data, but also modifies certain crypto wallet apps so it can keep stealing information later. If it finds wallets such as Atomic Wallet, Exodus, Ledger Live, Ledger Wallet, or Trezor Suite, it replaces the key app file ("app.asar") with a malicious version. This file runs in the background and keeps the app working normally.

The modified apps then send sensitive data to threat actors, such as wallet passwords, seed phrases, or recovery phrases. Some versions can show fake recovery or security update screens to trick users into entering their seed phrases.

Additionally, SHub plants a backdoor to keep access to the infected device. It creates a background task named "com.google.keystone.agent.plist" to look like Google's legitimate update service. Each time it runs, it starts a hidden script that sends the Mac's unique hardware ID to the server and checks for commands.

This lets attackers remotely control the device until the backdoor is found and removed. To avoid suspicion, SHub displays a fake error message stating that the app is not supported, leading the victim to believe the installation has failed.

Conclusion

SHub is a sophisticated macOS malware that gives attackers long-term, silent access to the victim's Mac and valuable information. Victims of these attacks can experience issues like identity theft, cryptocurrency loss, account hijacking, and other negative outcomes. Thus, it is important to be cautious to avoid the infection.

More examples of malware targeting macOS are Phexia, NovaStealer, and MacSync.

How did SHub infiltrate my device?

Cybercriminals use a fake CleanMyMac website to trick users into thinking they are downloading the legitimate app. Instead of downloading a normal installer, the site tells visitors to open Terminal and paste a command as part of the "installation". The distribution technique used in these attacks is called ClickFix.

When the user runs the command, it downloads a hidden script and executes it, leading to SHub's infiltration.

How to avoid malware?

Always download apps from official sources or trusted app stores, and avoid pirated software, cracks, or unofficial activators. Keep your operating system and programs up to date and scan your device regularly with trusted security software. Be careful with unexpected emails, messages, or attachments, and only open files or click links when you are sure they are safe.

Ignore suspicious ads, pop-ups, and links on untrustworthy sites, and never allow them to send notifications. If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

The fake site (cleanmymacos[.]org) used to distribute SHub stealer (source: malwarebytes.com):

Examples of ClickFix instructions used to spread SHub stealer:

Sample 1 (source: malwarebytes.com):

Sample 2 (source: @brkalbyrk7 on X):

Sample 3 (source: @Unit42_Intel on X):

Update May 7, 2026 - Microsoft researchers have documented further evolution of the ClickFix campaigns delivering SHub Stealer, now alongside MacSync and AMOS. In addition to standalone domains like the previously documented fake CleanMyMac site, threat actors are hosting fake macOS disk-cleanup and storage-management instruction pages on legitimate platforms — including Squarespace, Medium, and Craft (e.g., mac-storage-guide.squarespace[.]com, macos-disk-space.medium[.]com) — to lend the lures more credibility.

Some variants of the campaign also replace legitimate cryptocurrency wallet apps such as Ledger Live, Trezor Suite, and Exodus with trojanized versions that silently steal funds. Apple has responded by adding a paste-blocking warning in macOS 26.4 that alerts users when pasting Terminal commands could be harmful. (source: microsoft.com).

Update May 20, 2026 - Researchers have identified a new variant of SHub Stealer called "Reaper." This version spreads through fake installer pages for popular apps such as WeChat, Miro, and QQ, hosted on spoofed websites with the malicious files delivered via Dropbox.

Instead of using ClickFix-style terminal commands, Reaper disguises itself as an Apple security update - impersonating Apple's built-in XProtectRemediator tool - to trick users into running it. This method was designed to bypass macOS protections Apple introduced in early 2025.

Reaper also expands its data theft to include password managers, and can steal saved credentials from 1Password, Bitwarden, and LastPass. (source: bleepingcomputer.com).

Update June 4, 2026 - Researchers have published additional findings on SHub Reaper, noting that this variant combines the original SHub stealer with capabilities from the AMOS stealer malware family. An evolved delivery method has also been observed: rather than requiring users to manually copy-paste commands into Terminal, attackers now use a button that automatically opens macOS Script Editor preloaded with malicious code - victims need only click a Play button to trigger the infection.

New impersonation lures have been identified, including typo-squatted Microsoft domains and fake Google Software Update pages, expanding beyond the previously reported fake CleanMyMac and Apple security update sites. The malware also includes a file-grabbing component that specifically targets sensitive files with extensions such as .wallet, .key, .docx, .csv, and .xlsx. (source: moonlock.com).

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is "SHub"?
• Remove SHub related files and folders from OSX.

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.

Malware removal:

If unfamiliar processes are running, browser searches are being redirected, fans are spinning loudly for no reason, or fake "Update Safari" prompts have appeared, your Mac is likely infected. Run a full scan with Combo Cleaner for Mac to remove the infection. The full manual procedure below covers cases where automatic removal failed, where you want to verify a scan caught everything, or where the malware has multiple persistence points across LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, and Configuration Profiles.

Common Mac malware behaviors

VisibleAdware injection - browser hijackers and fake search engines

The most common Mac malware. Replaces your default search engine, homepage, or new-tab page with a lookalike domain that funnels every query through ad networks before passing it to a real provider. Often arrives bundled with cracked apps, fake Flash Player updates, or "free media player" downloads (MPlayerX, NicePlayer).

HiddenLaunchAgent / LaunchDaemon persistence

The standard way Mac malware survives reboots. A small .plist file in /Library/LaunchAgents/, /Library/LaunchDaemons/, or ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ tells launchd to run the malware at every login or boot. The .plist often picks a generic-looking name like com.apple.AdobeFlash.plist or com.system.helper.plist to blend in among legitimate Apple files.

HiddenConfiguration Profile abuse

Configuration Profiles are an enterprise feature - they let an IT department enforce policy on managed Macs (homepage, DNS, certificates, password rules). Adware abuses this by silently installing a Profile that locks the browser homepage, default search, or DNS server at the OS level. Manual browser reset doesn't help - the Profile reapplies the hijack. Check System Settings → General → Device Management (or "Profiles" on older macOS).

VisibleFake update prompts (FlashPlayer.dmg variants)

"Your Flash Player is out of date" or "Update your browser to view this content." Adobe killed Flash in 2020 - any current "Flash update" prompt is malware. The Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) family heavily uses this trick to deliver info-stealers that grab browser passwords, keychain items, and crypto wallet seed phrases. Apple's Software Update never appears as a browser pop-up.

SymptomCryptominer CPU usage

Fans spin loudly, the Mac runs hot, battery drains fast, Activity Monitor shows a process near 100% CPU. Cryptominers run silently in the background to mint cryptocurrency for the attacker. Often delivered via cracked apps from torrent sites, browser extensions, or supply-chain compromises in legitimate Mac software.

HiddenInfo stealing - AMOS, Banshee, Cthulhu, RustDoor

Modern Mac stealer families - AMOS (Atomic macOS Stealer), Banshee, Cthulhu, and RustDoor are the most active - read browser-saved passwords, cookies, autofill data, the macOS Keychain, crypto wallet seed phrases (Exodus, Electrum, Trezor Suite, MetaMask, etc.), and Apple Notes. AMOS is the most prolific overall, distributed via fake software installers, cracked apps, and fake "Spotlight" or "ChatGPT" sites. Once data is exfiltrated, the malware often deletes itself, leaving little trace - which is why credential rotation in Step 10 is critical even after the infection appears gone.

Tools you'll need

Combo Cleaner for Mac 7-days free trial available

Recommended primary scanner. Detects adware, info-stealers, cryptominers, and the persistence files they install.

Activity Monitor Free · built-in

Built into macOS. Shows running processes with full file paths, CPU, memory, and network usage.

KnockKnock Free

By Objective-See (Patrick Wardle). Lists every place macOS malware can persist - LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, Login Items, Cron, Browser Extensions, Kernel Extensions, more.

Console.app Free · built-in

Built into macOS (Applications → Utilities). Shows system logs - useful for finding what process is launching a suspicious child.

Contain - limit the damage

~5 min

1

Disconnect from the network

⏱ 30 secNo tool needed

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar (or open Control Center) and turn Wi-Fi off. If you're on Ethernet, unplug the cable. This stops any active info-stealer or backdoor from sending data out or accepting commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanner.

Why this mattersAMOS-family stealers exfiltrate browser passwords, keychain entries, and crypto wallet seeds within seconds of running. Cutting the network is the only way to stop ongoing exfiltration immediately.

2

Boot into Safe Mode and download Combo Cleaner

⏱ 5 min

macOS Safe Mode loads only Apple-trusted kernel extensions and skips most third-party LaunchAgents and user login items, so persistent Mac malware doesn't auto-run while you set up the scanner. Network access works normally in Safe Mode.

Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)

1. Choose Apple menu → Shut Down
2. Wait until the Mac is fully off
3. Press and hold the Power button until "Loading startup options" appears
4. Select your startup disk (usually "Macintosh HD")
5. Hold Shift, then click Continue in Safe Mode
6. Log in - the menu bar will show "Safe Boot" in red

Intel-based Mac

1. Choose Apple menu → Restart
2. Immediately press and hold the Shift key as the Mac begins to boot
3. Release Shift when the login window appears
4. Log in - the menu bar will show "Safe Boot" in red

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner for Mac. Save the .dmg to your Desktop. You can disconnect Wi-Fi again before scanning if you want extra caution.

Identify - find what's hiding

~15 min

3

Inspect running processes with Activity Monitor

Tool: Activity Monitor⏱ 5 min

Open Activity Monitor (Applications → Utilities → Activity Monitor, or Cmd+Space and type "Activity Monitor"). Sort by CPU usage to spot cryptominers and runaway processes.

Click each unfamiliar process and choose View → Inspect Process (Cmd+I) to see:

• Path - anything in /private/tmp/, ~/Library/Application Support/<random-name>/, or with a generic-looking bundle ID is suspicious
• Code signing - Apple's processes are signed by "Apple" or "Software Signing." Adhoc-signed or unsigned binaries from third parties warrant investigation
• Open Files and Ports - shows what the process is touching on disk and network

Why this mattersMac malware often picks process names like "CoreServicesAgent" or "WindowServer" that look legit at a glance. The Inspect view shows the actual file path, which is what tells you it's not Apple's.

4

Map persistence with KnockKnock and inspect the launch paths

Tool: KnockKnock + Finder⏱ 7 min

Download KnockKnock by Objective-See (Patrick Wardle's free tool, the Mac equivalent of Sysinternals Autoruns). It lists every place macOS malware can persist in a single window: LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, Login Items, Cron Jobs, Browser Extensions, Kernel Extensions, Authorization Plug-ins, Mail Plug-ins, Quicklook, Spotlight, and more.

Run KnockKnock and toggle "Filter Signed Items" to focus on unsigned or non-Apple-signed entries. Click any suspicious item to see its file path and code-signing status.

If you'd rather check manually, open Finder → Go → Go to Folder (Shift+Cmd+G) and visit each path:

• /Library/LaunchAgents/ - system-wide, runs at login for any user
• /Library/LaunchDaemons/ - system-wide, runs at boot before login
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ - user-level, runs at this user's login
• ~/Library/Application Support/ - where adware drops its data folder, often with a random or app-mimicking name

Then check additional persistence locations in System Settings:

• Login Items & Extensions - System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions. Click anything you don't recognize and remove it
• Background Items - same panel, "Allow in the Background" section. Mac malware often shows up as a background item with an obscure name
• Configuration Profiles - System Settings → General → Device Management (or "Profiles" on older macOS). Remove any Profile you didn't install yourself

Pro tipRight-click any suspicious .plist → Open With → TextEdit. The <key>Program</key> and <key>ProgramArguments</key> values tell you exactly what executable runs and from where. Don't delete yet - write down the file paths and entry names. We'll remove them after the Combo Cleaner scan in Step 7.

5

Check /etc/hosts and DNS settings

⏱ 3 minBuilt into macOS

Mac malware sometimes redirects bank, Apple, antivirus, and update domains to attacker-controlled servers via the hosts file or DNS settings.

Hosts file: Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal) and run:

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Legitimate entries are commented with #. Any uncommented IP-to-domain mapping is suspicious - especially redirects for apple.com, icloud.com, your bank, or your password manager. Press Ctrl+X to exit nano without saving.

DNS settings: System Settings → Network → click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) → Details → DNS. Confirm DNS servers point to your ISP, your router, or a known public resolver (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Google 8.8.8.8). Anything else has been hijacked.

Why this mattersA clean Mac with hijacked DNS is still a compromised Mac. You'll think you're at chase.com and you'll be at the attacker's clone.

Remove - scan and clean up

~30 min

Recommended antivirus: Combo Cleaner for MacDetects adware, info-stealers, cryptominers, and the LaunchAgent / LaunchDaemon persistence files they install. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

6

Run a full Combo Cleaner for Mac scan

Tool: Combo Cleaner⏱ 20–30 min

Open the .dmg you downloaded in Step 2. Drag the Combo Cleaner icon to the Applications folder. Open it from Launchpad (or Applications), allow it to update its threat database, then click Start Combo Scan and let it complete fully. Review what it found and apply the recommended actions.

Why this comes before manual cleanupCombo Cleaner removes known adware, info-stealers, cryptominers, and the LaunchAgent persistence files they installed in one pass. Manual cleanup in Step 7 is for anything still left over.

7

Manually remove anything still present

⏱ 10 minTool: Finder

Reopen KnockKnock (or revisit the Finder paths from Step 4). Anything you flagged that's still present hasn't been caught by the automated scan. For each remaining suspicious entry:

1. Note the executable path the .plist references (right-click the .plist → Open With → TextEdit, look at <key>Program</key>)
2. Move the .plist to Trash
3. Move the executable file at the referenced path to Trash
4. Empty the Trash

Then go to /Applications and remove any unwanted apps the malware installed. Common adware-installed app names: MPlayerX, NicePlayer, MyShopcoupon, Advanced Mac Cleaner, Mac Cleanup Pro. Drag them to Trash, then check ~/Library/Application Support/ for any folder with the same name and delete it too.

ImportantSome malware files reappear after deletion because something else on the system recreates them. If a file returns within minutes, you have a remaining persistence point KnockKnock didn't show. Re-run Combo Cleaner or proceed to a macOS reinstall (see end of guide).

Recover - restore browsers and security

~15 min

8

Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

⏱ 5 min

Mac adware persists in browser extensions, search engine settings, homepage, and notification permissions. Reset each browser you use:

• Safari: Safari → Settings → Extensions - uninstall anything you don't recognize. Then Safari → Settings → Search - restore your preferred default search engine. Then Safari → Settings → Websites → Notifications - remove all unfamiliar sites. For a deep reset: Safari → History → Clear History → "all history."
• Chrome: visit chrome://settings/reset → "Restore settings to their original defaults." Then chrome://settings/content/notifications and remove unfamiliar sites.
• Firefox: open about:support → Refresh Firefox. Then check Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications.

Review installed extensions in each browser and remove anything you don't recognize, especially extensions you didn't install yourself.

9

Re-verify Gatekeeper, FileVault, and System Integrity Protection

⏱ 10 min

Some Mac malware tries to weaken built-in security to make persistence easier. Verify each is on:

• Gatekeeper (blocks unsigned apps): System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to Allow applications downloaded from → confirm "App Store and identified developers" is selected (not "Anywhere"). If the malware added itself to the allow-list, the entry appears in the same panel - remove it.
• FileVault (full-disk encryption): System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault → confirm "FileVault is on for this disk." If it was disabled by malware, turn it back on.
• System Integrity Protection (SIP): open Terminal and run csrutil status. Output should be "System Integrity Protection status: enabled." If disabled, you'll need to reboot into Recovery Mode and run csrutil enable from there.

Then run macOS Software Update (System Settings → General → Software Update) to apply the latest security patches.

Verify & secure

~15 min + 7 days

10

Change passwords from a clean device

⏱ 20 min⚠ critical for AMOS family

If the malware was an info-stealer (AMOS, Banshee, Cthulhu, or RustDoor families are extremely common on Mac), assume every password saved in your browser is compromised. So is your iCloud Keychain if it was unlocked while the malware ran. Change passwords from a different, known-clean device - your iPhone is fine if it's not infected.

Recommended order:

1. Apple ID first - it controls iCloud, Find My, Apple Pay, and the App Store
2. Primary email - the recovery hub for everything else
3. Banking and financial accounts
4. Password manager master password (if you use one)
5. Crypto wallet seed phrases - if you store any seed phrase or private key on the Mac, AMOS specifically targets these. Move funds to a fresh wallet from a clean device immediately, before changing other passwords
6. Social media, shopping, and remaining accounts

Where available, enable phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (passkeys / hardware keys / authenticator apps) - SMS-based MFA is bypassable.

11

Verify the clean and monitor for 7 days

⏱ 5 min + 1 week monitoring

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner. Open System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions and confirm nothing suspicious has reappeared. Open Activity Monitor and verify no unfamiliar process is using significant CPU.

Over the next 7 days, watch for symptom recurrence: high CPU when the Mac is idle, browser redirects returning, fake update prompts, or unfamiliar Login Items reappearing. If anything returns, you missed a persistence point and the procedure needs to be repeated - or you may have a deeper compromise that requires a clean macOS reinstall.

When to reinstall macOS instead

Manual removal isn't always the right answer. Reinstalling macOS from scratch is the only way to be 100% certain when:

• The malware reappears after every removal attempt
• A kernel extension or system-level component was modified
• Confirmed credential-theft malware ran with admin rights - the system likely has multiple unknown payloads
• The Mac is used for online banking, crypto wallets, business email, or anything where partial doubt isn't acceptable

macOS reinstall is straightforward: shut down → boot to Recovery (Apple Silicon: hold the Power button → Options; Intel: Cmd+R during boot) → Erase Mac → Reinstall macOS. Back up documents to external storage first, scan the backup with Combo Cleaner before restoring it, and reinstall apps fresh - never restore them from a backup of the infected system.

Important: Manual removal of Mac malware requires care - deleting the wrong .plist or system app can prevent macOS from booting normally. If you're not confident identifying system files from malicious files, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner for Mac and stop there - that path catches the vast majority of consumer Mac malware without the risk of breaking macOS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My computer is infected with SHub malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

This step will eliminate SHub, but it will also delete all data, so it should only be used as a last resort. Before taking this action, it is best to perform a full scan with reliable security software, such as Combo Cleaner.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Malware can give attackers remote access, steal personal information, install more malicious programs, delete or encrypt files, cause system crashes, slow down your device, and carry out other harmful activities.

What is the purpose of SHub?

SHub is malware that steals passwords, crypto wallets, and other sensitive data from macOS. It targets browsers, the Keychain, desktop and browser-based crypto wallets, and files like Apple Notes or Telegram sessions. Its main goal is to harvest information.

How did SHub infiltrate my device?

Attackers use a fake CleanMyMac website, which instructs visitors to open Terminal and paste a command to "install" the software. This delivery method is known as ClickFix. When the user runs the command, it silently downloads and runs a hidden script, allowing SHub to infect the Mac.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most known malware. However, advanced malware often hides deep within the system, so it is important to run a complete system scan.