OSX_FLASHBCK.A Virus (Mac)

What is OSX_FLASHBCK.A?

OSX_FLASHBCK.A is a detection name of dated Mac malware called Flashback. This malware is categorized as a password stealer. OSX_FLASHBCK.A was distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, it was likely to infiltrate systems without permission.

At time of research, OSX_FLASHBCK.A has became irrelevant, since it was designed to exploit a Java bug that is now fixed. Recently, however, Trend Micro company's anti-virus suite 'HouseCall' started delivering errors claiming that the system is infected with OSX_FLASHBCK.A malware.

As mentioned, OSX_FLASHBCK.A is no longer relevant and, therefore, these error notifications are often 'false positives'.

A 'false positive' describes the situation when anti-virus suites detect legitimate files as viruses. This typically occurs due to inaccuracies (or misleading entries) in virus databases. False positive detections may not seem problematic, since the system is not infected, but in many cases, anti-virus suites permanently delete detected malware.

Therefore, legitimate files might be mistakenly removed. Deletion of valuable data can lead to serious problems, including financial issues, lost documents, and so on. Therefore, although inaccuracies in virus databases may seem harmless, they are not. Bear in mind that Trend Micro is a reputable company and likely to resolve this issue swiftly.

Therefore, you should temporarily remove or disable the HouseCall anti-virus suite until the database is updated and Trend Micro confirms that the issue has been resolved. Until then, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.

If you no longer wish to use HouseCall, do not leave your system unprotected. Install an alternative anti-virus tool (for example, Combo Cleaner). Before doing so, however, uninstall any previous anti-virus programs, since these applications are likely to interfere and might not function properly.

Threat Summary:

Name	OSX_FLASHBCK.A malware
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady 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.

OSX_FLASHBCK.A shares many similarities with dozens of other false positives, such as Trojan:Win32/Fuerboos, Trojan.gen.npe.2, ERDNT.LOC, etc. In most cases, the virus exists on the internet and can infiltrate systems, but the database contains misleading entries.

Therefore, anti-virus suites sometimes treat legitimate files as malware that does not even exist on the specific system. In any case, false positive detection might lead to permanent data loss.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Viruses such as Flashback are distributed using various tools and methods. The most popular five are: 1) "bundling"; 2) fake software updaters; 3) third party software download sources; 4) trojans, and; 5) spam email campaigns. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party apps together with regular software/apps.

Developers are not honest enough to disclose installation of "bundled" apps properly. Therefore, they are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Fake updaters infect computers by exploiting outdated software bugs/flaws or downloading and installing malware rather than promised updates.

Unofficial download sources (peer-to-peer [P2P] networks, free file hosting websites, freeware download websites, etc.) present malware as legitimate software. In this way, users are tricked into downloading and installing viruses. Trojans cause chain infections (one virus proliferates another).

Spam campaigns proliferate malicious attachments (e.g., MS Office documents, JavaScript files, etc.) that, once opened, download and install malware.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Caution is the key to safety. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and updating/downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each email attachment received.

Files that are irrelevant and those received from suspicious/unrecognizable email addresses should never be opened. Keep installed applications up-to-date, however, this should be achieved through implemented functions or tools provided by the official developer only.

Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes. Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. We recommend that you avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since they often include rogue apps.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

HouseCall detecting OSX_FLASHBCK.A false positives:

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 OSX_FLASHBCK.A?
• 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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