# What is the point of these "installer" viruses (Computer Question)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 15, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296 "2017-07-15T01:53:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mrdeals](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296/1 "2017-07-15T01:53:12Z")

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I have a MAC in case it matters.

Over the past couple weeks, every time i turn on the computer, everything runs fine for about 5 minutes, and then the render speed of doing anything chugs almost to a halt.

Open up my utilities and there are 5 or 6 “Installer” programs running, and all of them consuming 2GB+ of RAM (?)

I force close them, and they disappear until the next time i turn off and start my computer.

What is this Installer program? Worst virus of all time? My own computer failing to install something?

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**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296/2 "2017-07-15T04:18:56Z")

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You downloaded and installed malware, probably a piece of shit called Genieo.

Use [Malwarebytes for Mac](https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/) to fix it.

What version of macOS are you running?

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**Author:** ![albino\_manatee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/albino_manatee/32/2_2.png) [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-these-installer-viruses-computer-question/791296/3 "2017-07-16T13:21:07Z")

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good catch, zbuzz.

and this is intended for others dropping by sd … while pcs are assaulted most often by malware 'n viruses … it doesn’t mean pcs are more vulnerable\* (per se)\*.

contrary to popular belief … macs 'n linux systems are _not_ immune to infections by any means. it is necessary to maintain anti-virus as well as anti-malware for any operating system. you might think you might be able to “overlook” a small malware infection … but, keep in mind, others can become infected through your indifference 'n ignorance.