How to remove Eleanor from Mac

Remember being told as a kid to never take candy from a stranger? Well, the same could be said for free apps on the internet. You should never install anything from someone you don’t know or trust. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should only install apps from people you personally know. But just make sure all of your install files are coming from reputable sources.

A perfect example of this type of mischievous behavior is Eleanor malware. 

Chances are, you’re reading this article because your Mac has been infected with Eleanor, or you think it might have been. The good news is that you’re in the right place. I’ll explain what exactly it is, how it ended up on your Mac, and how you can remove Eleanor easily. So, don’t stop reading now!

What is Eleanor?

Eleanor is a backdoor malware that is targeting Macs. Yes, you read that right. I know viruses and malicious software that specifically go after Mac computers are few and far between. But trust me when I say that those numbers are growing quickly every day.

This malware allows a hacker to remotely access your computer and use it to perform various nefarious tasks.

How did my Mac get infected with Eleanor malware?

The most common method used to distribute Eleanor is through software bundling. That’s when you think you’re installing a free app — in this case, usually EasyDoc Converter — but there is harmful malware hidden in the installation package.

While EasyDoc Converter claims to be a useful tool, it actually does nothing. Typically, upon installing the app, the screen goes blank, and nothing happens. Or so you think. In the background, it’s installing malicious software and then leaving a backdoor to your hard drive open, making it even easier for other malware to gain access to your Mac and use it for their own dubious deeds.

How will Eleanor harm my Mac?

Eleanor leaves your Mac vulnerable in so many ways. It can steal your data and passwords, which would give the hacker access to all of your online accounts. And as you just read, it leaves a backdoor open so that other malware can install itself and take your information, too.

How to avoid installing the Eleanor backdoor on Mac?

Backdoor and malware that gets installed through software bundling prove the point that it’s so important you only install apps from trusted sources.

How to remove Eleanor from Mac automatically with CMM

While having your Mac infected by the Eleanor malware sounds scary, thankfully, you can use the CleanMyMac X app to help you quickly get rid of it. It’s an app that’s designed to help optimize your computer’s performance, and one of the ways it does that is by scanning and monitoring it for malware.

CleanMyMac X is so easy to use. Once you have it downloaded, you’ll just follow these steps:

1. Open CleanMyMac X.
2. Click Malware Removal in the left-side pane.
3. Then, click Scan.
4. After the scan is complete, click the Remove button.

Instructions to uninstall Eleanor manually

Of course, you don’t need to use an app to automate the process of removing Eleanor. You can do it manually if you don’t mind putting the time in and doing a little searching on your hard drive.

The first thing you’ll have to do is uninstall the app. If you’ve never done that on a Mac before, this is all you need to do:

1. Open a new Finder window.
2. Click Go > Applications.
3. Find EasyDoc Converter or Eleanor.
4. Drag the icon(s) to the Bin in your dock and empty it.

Remember that Eleanor was likely installed using software bundling. So, that means that you’ll have to do double-duty looking for both anything Eleanor-related and EasyDoc Converter.

After you uninstall the app, then you’ll need to remove any support files:

1. In Finder, click Go.
2. Press the option button on your keyboard and then click Library.
3. Go to the Application Support folder.
4. Then, delete any files you see related to EasyDoc Converter or Eleanor.
5. Click back.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 with the Caches, Preferences, and Saved Application State folders.

How to prevent infecting a Mac with backdoors

Preventing backdoor malware from infecting your Mac sounds like it’s going to be a hard task. But what if I told you it was actually something much simpler?

Thanks to CleanMyMac X, you can easily and quickly scan your machine for any suspicious software running on your computer. It’s good to get into a regular habit of it. That way, if you do accidentally install something malicious, you’ll hopefully catch it before it’s able to wreak havoc on your hard drive. More than that, the app can scan software you are installing and notify you about any potential threat, so you’ll be safe in-between scans. Here’s how to enable a real-time malware monitoring tool that can do it:

1. Click on the iMac icon in the menu bar to open CleanMyMac X menu.
2. Find the gear icon and open Preferences.
3. In the Protection tab, select the checkbox next to “Enable malware monitor.”

If you have backdoor malware on your Mac, it’s something you’re going to want to take seriously. There’s no reason not to. And thankfully, apps like CleanMyMac X are able to help you quickly find and remove them. Then, you can have your Mac back up and running better than ever.