MacStealer Mac

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*Source of claim SH can remove it.

MacStealer

MacStealer is a Mac browser page redirecting add-on that is used for website popularization. When installed in the system, MacStealer will be added to the system’s main web browser and will start causing redirects to pages that it is programmed to support.

MacStealer 1024x576
The MacStealer malware will try to steal your account credentials

Programs like MacStealer, Goobspatch, CCXProcess that promote websites through page redirects are generally not harmful and are commonly known as browser hijackers. They normally attach themselves to commonly used Mac browsers such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox and others and don’t affect the rest of the system. The thing is such programs can be rather annoying to the end user because they can impose a number of changes inside the main web browser in order to facilitate their promotional activities.

For instance, MacStealer is an app that can change the browser’s homepage URL with a different one. It can also install a new search engine that generates predominantly sponsored search results that link to specific websites. In addition, the program can spam the sites that you visit with pop-up ads, banners and redirect prompts that are hard to remove.

Unfortunately, these changes and ads cannot be trusted because there is no guarantee that they won’t redirect you to sites that include dangerous downloads, such as Ransomware viruses, Trojans or Spyware. That’s why, to avoid a potential encounter with a nasty computer virus or some sketchy pages, it is best to uninstall MacStealer and remove its browser changes as soon as possible.  

MacStealer for Mac

MacStealer for Mac is a browser hijacking program that is famous for its ability to make unauthorized browser changes to popular Mac browsers. Typically, MacStealer can replace the main search engine and can change the homepage address to a different one that is promoted by the program.

The undesirable software makes these browser “improvements” with the idea to ensure more clicks and page visits to particular websites that pay for their promotion. That is why, for as long as you have MacStealer on your Mac, any time you start a new browsing session you will be showered with click prompts, pop-up ads, banners and links that redirect you to specific landing pages and promotions. The newly imposed search engine will possibly generate some sponsored websites in the first search results and when you open a new page, a specific address will be loaded as your homepage.

What is MacStealer?

MacStealer is a Mac app that integrates with browsers like Safari, Firefox and Chrome and adjusts their settings so that user searches are rerouted to websites that the app supports. The easiest way to remove MacStealer’s adjustments is to fully uninstall the program from the system.

This is also the easiest way to avoid unwanted page redirects to random websites, as well as the unstoppable stream of pop-up notifications, banner ads and messages that the browser hijacker can fill your screen with. If you’ve never uninstalled this type of software before, however, it might be a bit difficult to get rid of it without the help of professional software or a detailed removal guide. That’s why, in case you need assistance, we encourage you to use the instructions in the removal guide below or scan your Mac computer with the professional MacStealer removal tool that you can find on this page.

The MacStealer app

The MacStealer app is a browser hijacking program that forces web users to open sponsored websites by automatically redirecting their searches to them. Unfortunately, the MacStealer app may sometimes redirect users to unknown or questionable sites that could put the device at risk.

If this hijacker accidentally reroutes you to a website run by hackers, for instance, you may be exposed to different viruses, Trojan horses, Ransomware and other malware. That’s why the best way to prevent such an encounter is to delete the unwanted program.

SUMMARY:

NameMacStealer
TypeAdware
Danger LevelMedium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Detection Tool

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Remove MacStealer Mac Malware

For a quick way to remove MacStealer try to do this inside your Mac browser:

  1. Open your Mac browser.
  2. Go to Preferences.
  3. Now navigate to the extensions sub-menu.
  4. Look for any unfamiliar entries, including MacStealer.
  5. Remove MacStealer 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 MacStealer!

Step1

*Source of claim SH can remove it.

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.

Step2

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

*Source of claim SH can remove it.

Start Activity Monitor by opening up Finder, then proceed to activity-monitor

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:

chromeinfo

Now click on Sample at the bottom:

chromesample

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:

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    Step3

    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.

    Step4

    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,

    Preferences in Safari

    and then again on the Extensions tab,

    extensions in safari

    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.
    Step5

    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,
    Privacy in Safari

    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

    General Tab in Safari

    Check if your Homepage is the one you have selected, if not change it to whatever you prefer.
    Default Home Page

    Select the History menu this time, and click on Clear History. This way you will prevent accidentally opening a problematic web page again.

    firefox-512 How to Remove MacStealer From Firefox in OSX:

    Open Firefox, click on mozilla menu (top right) ——-> Add-ons. Hit Extensions next.

    pic 6

    The problem should be lurking somewhere around here – Remove it. Then Refresh Your Firefox Settings.


    chrome-logo-transparent-backgroundHow to Remove MacStealer From Chrome in OSX:

    Start Chrome, click chrome menu icon —–>More Tools —–> Extensions. There, find the malware and select chrome-trash-icon.

    pic 8

    Click chrome menu icon 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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    About the author

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    Lidia Howler

    Lidia is a web content creator with years of experience in the cyber-security sector. She helps readers with articles on malware removal and online security. Her strive for simplicity and well-researched information provides users with easy-to-follow It-related tips and step-by-step tutorials.

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