How To Remove Adware From Mac

by Rahul Gupta · October 7, 2024

Are you bombarded with pop-ups when you browse? Do you find yourself being redirected to websites that you do not intend to visit? Is your Mac showing ads non-stop? Then your Mac is probably infected by adware. Let us see how to remove adware from Mac.

Adware is a malicious software that causes all the irrelevant pop-up advertisements that show up when you are online on your Mac. This adware will disrupt your browsing experience and you will find yourself in websites that you did not intend to visit.

Do not take this adware lightly, as they may also be malware that steal your credentials and puts you at risk. Do not be tempted by advertisements that offer you freebies and excessive discounts. They are most likely adware, that click baits you, steal your data and sell all your information to third parties who put you and your Mac at risk.

We can take preventive measures to protect your Mac from adware. If your Mac is attacked by adware, you can now know how to remove adware from Mac, by following the instructions given in this article.

How To Remove Adware From Mac?

Putting a check on adware in your web browser is the best way to improve your browsing experience and protect your Mac from adware. Sometime adware will enter your system by disguising itself as legitimate Mac software, and gets installed along with it. This makes it difficult for you to identify it and wipe it out.

You will have to dig in deep inside your data files stored in your system and identify them manually, to remove adware from Mac. You can try to manually delete suspicious files in your system by sending them to trash. However, recent adware cleaners are available that scans your entire system files and automatically deletes all threats.

Is My Mac Infected With Adware?

Adware collects data from your Mac about your browsing behaviors and your IP address. It will also install potentially harmful software that will save your username and passwords, qualification and even your online banking details and personal information. So, it is very essential to protect your Mac from adware.

You will be able to know if your Mac is infected with adware, if you notice any one or more of the following.

Many Advertisements

If your Mac is infected with adware, you will notice that your display is filled with a lot of advertisements, much more than the usual. They will be shown as banners and pop-ups when you least expect it. You will have to remove adware from Mac to stop the ads.

Redirection

You will find yourself being redirected to websites and links that take you to unexpected websites. These unknown web portals have suspicious ads or offer you freebies and discounts to click bait you.

Pop-ups

If the adware is enabled in your Mac, you will notice that your browsing is interrupted with popups when you least expect it.

Performance lag

If your Mac and the web browser seems to be operating at a much slower pace, you might be infected with adware. This could even lead to your browser or your Mac crashing and glitching. You will have to remove adware from Mac to enhance the performance.

Extensions and Toolbars

If you notice new toolbars or extensions have been added to your web browser, it could be because of adware. It is impossible for this to happen by itself, unless you have added it. It could only mean that adware has automatically installed malicious codes for you to click.

Unauthorized Installations

If you notice any new installations in your Mac, which you had not authorized. It is probably because of adware. You will have to remove adware from Mac to stop such automatic installation of unauthorized software.

Remove Adware from Mac

You can first try to remove adware from Mac manually. Even though it is easier and more efficient to download anti-adware software, you can also try to root out the adware from Mac manually.

1.Delete Suspicious Apps

If your Mac is infected with adware, it is going to have a bunch of suspicious apps and installations not made by you. To remove adware from Mac you can delete all suspicious apps.

Step 1 – Launch Activity Monitor and check for suspicious applications.

Step 2 – In Applications > Locate Suspicious Apps

Step 3 – Click on “X” at the top of Activity Monitor.

Step 4 – Click on Force Quit.

Step 5 – Now open Applications and locate the suspicious app.

Step 6 – Right Click on the App > Click on Trash

Step 7 – Now go to Trash and delete it permanently.

2. Delete Unwanted Browser Extensions

For Chrome

Step 1- Click the Chrome menu button > Select Tools > Extensions

Step 2 – Select the extension that you think is infected adware.

Step 3 – Click on the Trash can icon to delete it.

If you do not remove adware from Mac, these malicious extensions may reinstall itself and harm your system.

3. Remove Files Generated by Adware

Adware will automatically generate a lot of malicious files that could harm your Mac. To stop adware from reinstalling itself, you will have to remove them.

Step 1 – Open the Finder icon on the Menu bar > Select Go > Go to Folder.

Step 2 – Type “/Library/LaunchAgents” > Go.

Step 3 – Locate all suspicious files that were recently downloaded.

Step 4 – Move them to Trash.

4. Download Antimalware for Mac

You can download antimalware to remove adware from Mac. Most adware will keep generating malicious files to infect your Mac. This makes it difficult to locate all malicious files and delete them manually. Downloading antimalware software for Mac will remove all suspicious files and also protect your Mac from further attacks. There is antimalware software available to remove adware from Mac. You can download any one of these antimalware software to protect yourself from any future attacks.

Wrap Up

The Internet has become a part of our daily lives. It is almost impossible for us to go about a day without having digital presence. It is also our responsibility to know about the dangers that come with it. We have to be aware of all the threats that are present, and protect ourselves from malicious attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Is Adware Dangerous?

Yes. Adware is a malicious software that causes all the irrelevant pop-up advertisements that show up when you are online on your Mac. This adware will disrupt your browsing experience and you will find yourself in websites that you did not intend to visit.

How To Remove Adware From Mac

How To Remove Adware From Mac?