Absolute Value
Absolute Value is a browser-targeting malware app that hijacks the browsers of Mac computers and uses them for ad-distribution. Absolute Value can make changes in the targeted browser, forcing it to send the user to unknown sites that the hijacker is trying to promote.
Apps like Absolute Value are seen as unwanted on any computer but, unfortunately, this is one of the most common types of potentially unwanted applications and the chances of landing one such app yourself are especially high if you regularly download free software or install apps from different torrents, free download platforms and ads. In fact, if you are on this page, then you probably already have this browser hijacker inside your browser and are now looking forward to removing it, stopping its ads and page-redirects and reverting its homepage, toolbar or search engine changes that it has made. Absolute Value is one of the newest representatives of this class of software but we won’t get surprised if you have mistaken it for some sort of a nasty Trojan Horse or Ransomware infection. This is a common confusion among the users who detect this application inside their Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Edge or another browser and notice the unwanted changes that it has automatically imposed.
Absolute Value for Mac
Absolute Value for Mac is a software component that is seen as unwanted because it hijacks any browser it gets installed on. Absolute Value for Mac may replace the main homepage or the default search engine with some sponsored ones as well as install some new browser buttons and toolbars.
In addition to that, it may start to display different pop-up windows, new tabs that redirect you to sponsored pages as well as banners and ads that are typically hard to remove and that may cover most of your screen. What is particularly annoying is that, no matter what you do and how you try to uninstall the browser changes or remove the pop-up ads, they simply seem to stick to the browser and and not go away. Even changing the default browser with another one may not save you from the ads generated by Absolute Value because the application can integrate with any browsing program that you install. Then how can you deal with this browser hijacker in a fast and effective way? This is what we explain in the removal guide below.
What is Absolute Value?
Absolute Value is an unwanted type of software that belongs to the widespread malware category know as browser hijackers. Absolute Value aims to put ads on your screen by taking over the browser and manipulating its settings so that the generation of ads would be automatic.
In order to answer this question, we first should make it clear that the browser hijackers are applications similar to adware and they serve the interests of the online marketing industry. To be more specific, they are the result of the agreement between their developers and the manufacturers and distributors of different goods and services. The latter, of course, benefit from promoting their products, services and websites directly on the users’ screen. But the developers of this type of software are just as interested in this as the manufacturers because they earn money by displaying sponsored ads and links that redirect the users to the desired pages and by making the users click on specific promotional messages. This most often happens thanks to reward systems such as Pay Per Click. But these same revenue accumulation models sometimes encourage the use of somewhat invasive advertising tactics from the developers of applications like Absolute Value and Creed Network.
The AbsoluteValue app
The AbsoluteValue app is a rogue app capable of injecting ads inside the search results of your browser by taking over its search engine. The goal of AbsoluteValue is to employ the Pay-Per-Click remuneration model to earn money from the ads and page-redirects that it puts on your screen.
In their attempts to earn more, the creators of such software tend to overdo it with the amount of sponsored commercials they display through their software and this causes irritation and disturbance to the users. In addition, some people fear the random redirects and the sketchy pop-ups as it is known that these can often be used as transmitters of Ransomware, Trojans and other nasty viruses. Thus, most users prefer to uninstall the ad-generating software as soon as possible.
SUMMARY:
Name | Absolute Value |
Type | Browser Hijacker |
Danger Level | Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk) |
Symptoms | Pop-up messages and different automatic redirect links may appear on your screen during browsing sessions. |
Distribution Method | Software bundling, freeware sites, shareware platforms, torrents, ads and spam. |
Detection Tool |
Remove Absolute Value Virus from Mac
For a quick way to remove Absolute Value try to do this inside your Mac browser:
- Open your Mac browser.
- Go to Preferences.
- Now navigate to the extensions sub-menu.
- Look for any unfamiliar entries, including Absolute Value.
- Remove Absolute Value from your Mac as well as any other suspicious-looking items by clicking on the trash bin icon.
If this does not help then continue reading this article for more detailed instructions on how to get rid of Absolute Value!
The first thing you need to do is to Quit Safari (if it is opened). If you have trouble closing it normally, you may need to Force Quit Safari:
You can choose the Apple menu and click on Force Quit.
Alternatively, you can simultaneously press ⌘ (the Command key situated next to the space bar), Option (the key right next to it) and Escape (the key located at the upper left corner of your keyboard).
If you have done it right a dialog box titled Force Quit Applications will open up.
In this new dialog window select Safari, then press the Force Quit button, then confirm with Force Quit again.
Close the dialog box/window.
WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Start Activity Monitor by opening up Finder, then proceed to
Once there, look at all the processes: if you believe any of them are hijacking your results, or are part of the problem, highlight the process with your mouse, then click the “i” button at the top. This will open up the following box:
Now click on Sample at the bottom:
Do this for all processes you believe are part of the threat, and run any suspicious files in our online virus scanner, then delete the malicious files:
The next step is to safely launch Safari again. Press and hold the Shift key while relaunching Safari. This will prevent Safari’s previously opened pages from loading again. Once Safari is opened up, you can release the Shift key.
On the off chance that you are still having trouble with scripts interrupting the closing of unwanted pages in Safari, you may need to take some additional measures.
First, Force Quit Safari again.
Now if you are using a Wi-Fi connection turn it off by selecting Wi-Fi off in you Mac’s Menu. If you are using a cable internet (Ethernet connection), disconnect the Ethernet cable.
Re-Launch Safari but don’t forget to press and hold the Shift button while doing it, so no previous pages can be opened up. Now, Click on Preferences in the Safari menu,
and then again on the Extensions tab,
Select and Uninstall any extensions that you don’t recognize by clicking on the Uninstall button. If you are not sure and don’t want to take any risks you can safely uninstall all extensions, none are required for normal system operation.
The threat has likely infected all of your browsers. The instructions below need to be applied for all browsers you are using.
Again select Preferences in the Safari Menu, but this time click on the Privacy tab,
Now click on Remove All Website Data, confirm with Remove Now. Keep in mind that after you do this all stored website data will be deleted. You will need to sign-in again for all websites that require any form of authentication.
Still in the Preferences menu, hit the General tab
Check if your Homepage is the one you have selected, if not change it to whatever you prefer.
Select the History menu this time, and click on Clear History. This way you will prevent accidentally opening a problematic web page again.
How to Remove Absolute Value From Firefox in OSX:
Open Firefox, click on (top right) ——-> Add-ons. Hit Extensions next.
The problem should be lurking somewhere around here – Remove it. Then Refresh Your Firefox Settings.
How to Remove Absolute Value From Chrome in OSX:
Start Chrome, click —–>More Tools —–> Extensions. There, find the malware and select .
Click again, and proceed to Settings —> Search, the fourth tab, select Manage Search Engines. Delete everything but the search engines you normally use. After that Reset Your Chrome Settings.
If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!
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