Someone is downloading files Mac

Someone is downloading files

“Someone is downloading files” is an aggressive ad-spamming app that gets installed inside Mac browsers. The main goal of unwanted applications like “Someone is downloading files” is to boost the traffic and ratings of certain sites through automatic page-redirects and, by doing so, earn money for their creators.

"Someone is downloading files" Mac Scam
Screenshot of the “Someone is downloading files” scam pop up on Mac

Annoying apps like “Someone is downloading files” are nothing new – advertising-oriented software has been around for some time and there’s a good reason for that. Browser hijacker components like “Someone is downloading files” and Search Alpha tend to be quite profitable as long as their creators manage to get them installed onto enough machines. However, before we go into any more detail with regards to how “Someone is downloading files” and other browser hijackers function and what you can do in order to deal with them, let us first say a couple words about what browser hijackers actually are since some of you might not have yet been acquainted with this sort of software.

Someone is downloading files for Mac

“Someone is downloading files” for Mac is a potentially unwanted app that security researchers have categorized as a browser hijacker. Browser hijackers like “Someone is downloading files” for Mac are known for installing unwanted new elements in the users’ browsers that cause obstructive ad-generation and page redirects.

Well, a browser hijacker is a software component that targets popular browsers like Safari, Chrome and Firefox, seeking to alter their search engine tools and homepages and to spam them with ads and redirects to pages and sites that the hijacker is trying to advertise. In short, this type of apps are rather annoying and unwanted pieces of software that typically resemble a regular extension for your browser. If you have a hijacker on your system right now and if your browser is getting spammed with banners, pop-ups, redirects to unknown sites and pages and if some of the elements of the browser have been altered without you having allowed that, then there’s most likely such an unwanted software piece currently residing in your system. However, to your relief, we need to say that most hijackers pale in comparison to software threats like Spyware, Ransomware and Trojans when it comes to how malicious they could be. In fact, most browser hijackers are technically harmless to the computer. That said, you’d still likely want to remove “Someone is downloading files” if you have it on your Mac so here’s a guide to help you with that.

What is “Someone is downloading files”?

“Someone is downloading files” is a rogue form of software aimed at putting ads in your browser and promoting certain sites through the generation of automatic page redirects. “Someone is downloading files” is mainly installed through the help of other apps to which it gets added as a built-in component.

Aside from the obvious annoyance factor that makes apps like “Someone is downloading files” so irritating, you should know that there are other reasons why most users don’t want them and why most software researchers deem them undesirable. One such reason is the possibility for potentially hazardous ads getting stream by hijackers. Now, we got to say that such unsafe adverts are normally not intentionally streamed by hijacker apps. However, since there’s oftentimes no control over what gets streamed to your screen, different sketchy commercial messages might still find their way to your browser and clicking on them might result in attacks from nasty infections the likes of Ransomware and Trojan horses. It’s usually preferable if you make sure to get rid of the ad-generating piece of software so as to keep away from any potentially hazardous adverts and page redirects.

The “Someone is downloading files from your computer” app

The “Someone is downloading files” app is a browser-redirecting app that will make unauthorized changes in your Mac browser if it gets installed in the system. The “Someone is downloading files” app should not be allowed to tamper with your browser settings as this may eventually lead to security problems.

Another thing worth noting is that most apps of the hijacker category get distributed by getting bundled with more desirable software installs which is the reason you are advised to always check for bundled components inside the Advanced/Custom settings of each program installer so that you don’t end up landing some other unpleasant and irritating browser hijacker.

SUMMARY:

Name“Someone is downloading files”
TypeBrowser Hijacker
Danger LevelMedium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
SymptomsNagging ads in your browser and different changes to various browser components are a sure sign of the presence of a browser hijacker in your system.
Distribution MethodApps like “Someone is downloading files” mostly get distributed through software bundling and spam campaigns.
Detection Tool

“Someone is downloading files” Mac Removal

For a quick way to remove “Someone is downloading files” 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 “Someone is downloading files”.
  5. Remove “Someone is downloading files” 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 “Someone is downloading files”!

Step1

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!

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 “Someone is downloading files” From Firefox in OSX:

    Open Firefoxclick on mozilla menu (top right) ——-> Add-onsHit 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 “Someone is downloading files” 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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    Brandon Skies

    Brandon is a researcher and content creator in the fields of cyber-security and virtual privacy. Years of experience enable him to provide readers with important information and adequate solutions for the latest software and malware problems.

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