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.
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” |
Type | Browser Hijacker |
Danger Level | Medium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk) |
Symptoms | Nagging 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 Method | Apps 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:
- Open your Mac browser.
- Go to Preferences.
- Now navigate to the extensions sub-menu.
- Look for any unfamiliar entries, including “Someone is downloading files”.
- 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”!
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 “Someone is downloading files” 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 “Someone is downloading files” 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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