2022 MacBook M2 + BitDefender not detecting hijackers - why?

Watchman077

I have a 2022 MacBook M2 running on Sonoma 14.6.

I have had Bitdefender Central & VPN installed for over six months.

1.Trovi

Some weeks ago, after regularly being stopped from browsing by ‘Trovi’ when using Chrome,  I deleted the browsing history, removed Chrome & re-installed it. Trovi is no longer stopping me browsing but I found there was still malware of a different variety (see2 & 3 below). 

At no time did Bit Defender detect Trovi despite me running full scans several times a day after each update.

2.BitDefender

Immediately after an update from BitDefender I usually run a full system scan that always gives a ‘no threats’ result.

I recently ran a free scan by Combo Cleaner that notified me of two hijackers on Chrome.

Type: Spam Ads.          Name: fastsolve.captha.com

Type: Extension           Name: MyShopSearch {VER.1]

I then selected BitDefender Adware Removal Tool (B in tool bar between XLS and C) and 

‘Search for Adware’.

It tells me that Genieo is present. I used the tool to remove Genieo, removal was confirmed but soon after it reappeared. 

The twice daily BitDefender scan I do has never detected any of the threats noted above.

The BitDefender VPN does not connect automatically and if I try and do it manually I get: -

3. Avast Security

I ran a free scan with Avast Security that gave a ‘no malware found result’ but a notification of ‘advanced issues’

Alexandru_BD

Hello @Watchman077,

I think this requires a more in-depth investigation and product logs coming from your MacBook that would reveal what's going on exactly. I would recommend contacting the Support teams for assistance in this case.

When you contact Bitdefender support claiming suspicious malware-like behavior, a representative may ask you to provide detailed information such as:

• a full description of the symptoms that make you suspect your Mac is infected
• a screenshot of the malware signs you see on the screen – How to take a screenshot on Mac
• a BDsys log

Here's how you can use the BDsysLog scan utility on your Mac:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/11198/

Then simply go to the link link below to get in touch with the Bitdefender engineers and provide them with the required information for troublehshooting:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/help/

State your contact reason / choose request category, then choose from the available contact channels, chat, phone and email/ticket. Chat would be the fastest way to reach them.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Alex

Flexx

Try resetting your Chrome browser again and then install uBlock Origin ( https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en ) and Ghostery ( https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ghostery-tracker-ad-block/mlomiejdfkolichcflejclcbmpeaniij?utm_source=ghostery.com&utm_campaign=direct ) extensions in it. This should temporarily resolve your issue. Make sure you select all the filters in uBlock Origin. Click the downward arrow before the text 'Network filters' to display all the hidden filters as well.

Select all the filters that will show up on the entire page.

Kindly let us know how it goes.

Regards