How to remove PondRAT (Mac)

What is PondRAT

PondRAT is a sophisticated piece of malware classified as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that targets macOS devices. This malicious software is designed to grant unauthorized users remote control over infected systems, allowing cybercriminals to execute various commands and manipulate the compromised device. The primary concerns with PondRAT include its ability to steal sensitive information, such as personal files and credentials, and to upload additional malicious components, potentially causing further infections. Its anti-detection capabilities make it particularly dangerous, as it can operate stealthily without obvious symptoms, leading to prolonged exposure and vulnerability. This malware is suspected to be distributed through infected Python packages, highlighting the importance of downloading software only from trusted sources. The presence of PondRAT on a system can result in severe privacy violations, financial losses, and identity theft, making its removal a priority for affected users. Overall, PondRAT serves as a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threat landscape facing macOS users.

How PondRAT infected your system

PondRAT, a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) targeting Mac OS, primarily infiltrates computers through infected Python packages distributed via the Python Package Index (PyPI). Cybercriminals strategically insert malicious code into seemingly legitimate software packages that developers might use, effectively turning their systems into unwitting carriers of malware. Once these infected packages are downloaded and executed, PondRAT installs itself stealthily, often evading detection by traditional antivirus software due to its anti-detection capabilities. Beyond PyPI, the malware can also spread through traditional vectors such as phishing emails, malicious online ads, and compromised websites that host drive-by downloads. These methods leverage social engineering tactics, tricking users into clicking on infected attachments or links that initiate the download process. The ultimate goal of PondRAT is to establish remote access to the victim’s system, enabling attackers to execute commands, steal sensitive data, and potentially introduce further infections, leading to severe privacy breaches and financial losses.

Remove PondRAT from macOS manually

Removing PondRAT from macOS requires a systematic approach that involves a combination of built-in tools, safe computing practices, and sometimes third-party software. Here’s a comprehensive guide to identifying and removing viruses from your Mac, ensuring your system’s integrity and security.

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

1. Disconnect your Mac from the Internet. This prevents the virus from sending data to its creator or downloading more malicious software. Turn off Wi-Fi and unplug any Ethernet cables.

Step 2: Enter Safe Mode

2. Restart your Mac in Safe Mode. Safe Mode performs a check of your startup disk and restricts certain software from automatically loading or opening.
   • For Intel-based Macs: Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key until you see the login window.
   • For Apple Silicon Macs: Turn off your Mac, press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window, select your startup disk, press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Use Built-in Tools for Malware Removal

3. Use Finder to identify and remove suspicious applications.
   • Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, and look for any applications you don’t recognize or didn’t intentionally download.
   • Right-click the suspicious application and select Move to Trash, then empty the Trash.
4. Use macOS built-in malware removal tool (MRT). macOS automatically runs MRT in the background, but you can manually run a malware scan by updating your software.
   • Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
   • Install any available updates, as these often include the latest security improvements and malware definitions.

Step 4: Check and remove PondRAT from Login Items

Note: PondRAT may set up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find suspicious entries. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove them.

Step 5: Check and remove PondRAT Malicious Device Profile

Important update: PondRAT can install malicious Device Profile called AdminPrefs or similarly on MacOS, that won’t allow users to make changes to browser search engine and homepage settings. Follow instructions below to remove this profile.

Remove PondRAT profile

1. Go to System Preferences and click on Profiles.
2. In the list of profiles on the left side, choose AdminPrefs or other profile and click on “-” button to remove it.
3. In your case it can be named differently, in this case remove all visible profiles. Check the picture below to see how it looks like.

Step 6: Reset Your Web Browsers

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Step 7: Restore from a Backup

8. If the issue persists, consider restoring your Mac from a backup.
   • Use Time Machine or another backup system to restore your Mac to a state before it was infected.
   • Ensure the backup you choose predates the malware infection.

Prevention Tips

• Keep your macOS updated. Regularly check for and install macOS updates to ensure you have the latest security patches.
• Be cautious with downloads and attachments. Only download software from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or official websites.
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.
• Consider enabling the macOS firewall in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
• Regularly back up your Mac using Time Machine or another backup solution to ensure you can recover your system if needed.

Following these steps should help you remove most viruses from your Mac. If you continue to experience issues, consider seeking help from Apple Support or a professional cybersecurity service.