How to protect your Mac against oRAT malware

Any type of malware can be bad news for your Mac. However, the worst type is when you have no idea your computer has been infected in the first place. Some malware, like oRAT, will install itself and leave no indication that it’s lurking on your hard drive.

So, what do you do? What is oRAT? What protects against oRAT on your computer? Well, you’re in the right place to have all of those questions answered. Keep reading, and I’ll explain all the things you can do to get rid of oRAT and make sure your Mac stays safe against other dangerous malware.

What is oRAT?

First of all, let’s talk about what oRAT is. It’s what’s commonly referred to as backdoor malware, and they behave exactly as its name suggests.

Once the malicious software is installed on your computer, it gains root-level access — another way of saying it no longer needs permission to do anything on your computer.

Additionally, it communicates back with its server. So, the hacker who created the malware will be able to track what you’re doing and potentially steal information from your hard drive. It also leaves a back door open to your computer. Allowing other hackers to have the same level of access to your Mac.

How did my Mac get infected with oRAT malware?

There are two common infection methods that the hackers behind the oRAT malware will try to use: deceptive ads and software bundling.

The oRAT scammers have been known to target gambling websites with fake ads. The ads are designed in a way to make users think there’s something wrong with their computers. Then, when the person clicks on the ad, it downloads and installs the malware.

The other way oRAT gets into your Mac is through software bundling. This is when someone installs a free app, but one of the additional components of it is the oRAT malware.

What harm can oRAT do to my Mac?

Well, you’ve already read about how oRAT can be used to steal your data and track the things that you type into your computer. But perhaps the scariest thing it does is leave your Mac vulnerable to other attacks without you realizing it until it’s too late.

How to avoid installation of oRAT backdoor on Mac?

The best way to avoid oRAT being installed on your computer is to be mindful of what applications you’re installing. Make sure you’re only downloading them from websites that you trust and are reputable.

Of course, that’s not always possible. So, if you have to install an app from a developer you’ve never heard of, it’s important to always click the “Customize installation” or “Installation options” to ensure nothing suspicious is trying to sneak onto your Mac.

How to remove oRAT from Mac automatically with CleanMyMac X

The great news is that the CleanMyMac X app protects against oRAT malware. Even if you don’t realize your Mac has been infected, CleanMyMac X will detect and eliminate oRAT for you.

Download the app for free here. Once you have it installed, this is all you have to do to check and remove oRAT:

1. Open CleanMyMac X.
2. Click Malware Removal.
3. Hit the Scan button.
4. Then, click Remove.

Steps to get rid of oRAT manually

Deleting oRAT from your Mac manually, thankfully, isn’t a difficult process. But it can be time-consuming and tedious.

oRAT usually downloads as a file under the name Bitget. So, you’ll want to search for any applications and installation or support files that have the same name.

If you’ve never deleted an app from your Mac before, all you have to do is:

1. Open a new Finder window.
2. Click Go > Applications.
3. Scroll down until you find the app.
4. Then, drag it to the Trash icon in your dock.

The downside of doing it this way is that you can leave behind additional files that could make it easier for your Mac to be infected again in the future. Scanning your Mac and using a tool like CleanMyMac X gives you the added benefit of removing everything associated with the malware.

How to prevent infecting a Mac with backdoors

Fortunately, CleanMyMac X doesn’t only protect against oRAT, but the app also removes many other backdoor malware. These are all particularly dangerous because they don’t lock down your computer and slow its performance, making it hard to tell if your Mac has been infected.

Getting into the habit of regularly scanning your Mac will help you catch malware before it can do any significant amount of damage.

Plus, CleanMyMac X’s Menu app can monitor the files you download in real-time. Here’s how you can make sure you have that feature enabled:

1. Click the CleanMyMac X icon in the toolbar.
2. Find the “Real-time malware monitor” section.
3. Click Turn On.

Backdoor malware, like oRAT, is not anything you want to play around with on your Mac. Sure, it might not have any noticeable symptoms, but that’s exactly what makes it so dangerous too. Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll be able to recognize the signs and take steps to protect your computer.