OSX.Honkbox

Short bio

OSX.Honkbox is Malwarebytes’ detection name for cryptominer that runs in a Linux emulator on macOS systems.

Symptoms

Users of affected systems may notice a high CPU usage that stops as soon as they run the Activity Monitor. The malware runs two instances of the miner that get unloaded as soon as the main executable notices Activity Monitor.

Type and source of the infection

OSX.Honkbox uses xmrig software to mine cryptocurrency using the affected machines resources. OSX.Honkbox was offered as a fake Adobe Zii app.

Protection

Malwarebytes for Mac detects and removes OSX.Honkbox.

Remediation

Malwarebytes for Mac will detect and remove the components of this malware.

Download and install the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.

Click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan.

If threats are detected during the scan, a count of detected threats is displayed. More detailed threat information is displayed after the scan completes.

Click “Confirm” to move the detected threats to Quarantaine.

If a restart is required to complete remediation of threats detected during a scan, you will be notified. When a restart is required, please remember to save all work before clicking “Restart”.

Associated threats

OSX.Honkbox is a varaint of OSX.BirdMiner.