How to remove BrowserActivity from Mac
Easy tips to delete BrowserActivity
BrowserActivity is a potentially unwanted application that has both adware as well as browser hijacker characteristic. This means, it delivers various intrusive ads and promotes an address of fake search engine by modifying the web browsers settings. Like other adware and browser hijacker applications, it can also track users’ browsing session and collect their browsing based data. PUAs are often distributed through various shady techniques and therefore people might have no idea about when and how the unwanted apps infiltrated inside their systems. One of the popular methods to distribute BrowserActivity is through installer of Adobe flash player – this application is distributed using a fake installer.
Usually, ads that this type of applications generates advertise untrustworthy pages. In some cases, those ads might cause unwanted downloads by running certain malicious scripts. For these reasons, the ads that they display should never be clicked on. Another reason to not have applications like BrowserActivity installed on system is that they modify the browsers’ settings –in order to promote fake search engines.
Typically, apps like BrowserActivity alter the browsers’ homepage, new tab page and search engine options and set them to the addresses of fake search engines. Fake web searchers are not capable of generating search results and so they tend to redirect to some legit web searching tools such as Google, Bing and Yahoo. They often include untrustworthy ads with search results. To restore the changes made to the settings, users need to uninstall hijacker viruses at first without that they are not able to access to the browsers’ settings.
As mentioned earlier in the introduction, BrowserActivity can collect browsing based data. The data of its interest includes IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations and so on. These data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks or misused in illicit activities to generate profits. So, its presence on system can cause severe privacy issues, identity theft, monetary los and even more severe consequences. To prevent all such issues, it is highly advised immediately remove any suspicious apps and browser extensions/ plug-ins upon detection.
How did BrowserActivity enter my PC?
BrowserActivity is often distributed using a fake installer, more precisely, via using installer that appears to be the installer of Adobe Flash Player. It is also common that the apps like this to be included as additional offers with regular software with their download/ installation setups. Usually, users can decline these offers in Custom/Advanced and similar setups. When users rush the download/ installation process, they leave those settings unchecked and unchanged and lead to the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. In some cases, users can cause unwanted downloads, installations through deceptive ads by clicking those ads that are capable of executing certain commands.
How to prevent PUAs installation?
It is recommended not to finish the download/ installation process without checking the downloaders, installers for Custom/Advanced or other similar settings or ticked checkboxes. It is common that those settings are used to decline unwanted offers/ opt out bundled PUAs. Furthermore, it is recommended to download programs using official websites and direct links. Files, programs should have to be downloaded via third-party downloaders, p2p networks, unofficial pages and etc or installed via third-party installers. Additionally, it is advised not to click on any ads appear on any shady pages – they often open the pages of same kinds or sometimes cause unwanted downloads by running certain scripts.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
BrowserActivity can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Remove Files and Folders Related to BrowserActivity
Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”
Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder
Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option
In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.
Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder
In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”
Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.
Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:
Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents
You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.
Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware
Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option
In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.
Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC
The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
BrowserActivity can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.
A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.
Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.
Remove BrowserActivity from Internet Browsers
Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari
Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”
In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.
In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.
“Reset Safari”
Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.
Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser
Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.
Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.
Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“
Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.
Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.
Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox
Delete BrowserActivity add-ons from Mozilla Firefox
Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.
Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.
In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.
Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings
Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.
In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”
In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.
Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option
The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default
Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome
Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.
In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.
Reset Google Chrome Settings
Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.
Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.
In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”
Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window
Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied
The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
BrowserActivity can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to BrowserActivity. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.
