If your Mac has suddenly seen a large number of pop-up windows and ads recently, it is very likely that it has encountered adware. Although it does not damage the system like traditional viruses, it will still have a very serious impact on your user experience and make people unbearably annoying.
The nature of adware
Adware is not strictly classified as malware, but is often classified as a "potentially unwanted program". It is fundamentally different from Trojans and worms. Its core purpose is not to destroy or steal data, but to obtain profits by displaying advertisements.
Even so, adware is still annoying. It will forcibly insert pop-ups and banner ads when you browse the web, and even hijack the browser homepage and search results. These behaviors cause serious interference to normal operations, and sometimes the level of frequent interruptions will cause users to feel that they are infected by a virus.
Adware Invasion Paths
Software used to deliver advertisements rarely uses vulnerabilities in the system to infect Mac computers launched by Apple. More commonly, it is installed in a bundled state with other software downloaded by the user. In the installation packages of many free software or cracking tools, it is very likely that such programs for advertising are hidden secretly.
When users download software from unknown sources, when users click on deceptive ads, and when users install certain browser plug-ins, they often inadvertently agree to install adware. Such programs usually disguise themselves as useful tools such as system optimizers or download assistants to obtain the user's installation permission.
How to check and remove manually
You can first check the "Applications" folder on your Mac to look for suspicious programs that you don't remember installed. Names like "Advanced Mac Cleaner", "MySearchDial" or "Buca Apps" are common adware inclusions. When you find it, drag it into the trash and empty it.
Apple provides detailed removal instructions on its official support page and also lists known adware by name. For example, programs such as "Genieo" are included, and "Conduit" and "VSearch" also failed to make the list. Users can use this list to check one by one and then perform the uninstallation operation.
Troubleshoot issues in your browser
If the problem persists after cleaning the application, the adware may be present in the form of a browser extension. You have to open the extension management page of Safari, open the extension management page of Chrome, open the extension management page of Firefox, carefully review every installed extension, disable and remove all unknown components, and disable and remove all suspicious components.
At the same time, you also need to check whether the browser's default search engine has been tampered with, and whether the homepage settings have been tampered with. After that, you need to redefine these settings into the options you are accustomed to using. For example, change the search engine back to Google, reset the homepage to a blank page, or a website you trust? .
Prevention and safety advice
The key to preventing adware is to download with caution and only obtain programs from the Mac App Store or the software's official website. And avoid using third-party download sites from unknown sources. When installing any software, be sure to read each step of the installation wizard carefully and uncheck options that recommend installing additional toolbars or add-on programs.
Regularly update the macOS system and update the browser at the same time, which can also effectively improve security. System updates released by Apple often contain security patches, which can plug some known vulnerabilities. Keeping your system up to date is a basic and important security habit.
When to use professional cleaning tools
In the face of users who are not familiar with system operations and do not know how to manually clean up, and may make omissions or risks, using a reputable security software will be a more efficient choice. Tools of this type have the ability to scan their systems deeply, finding and removing all adware and its remaining files in one go.
When choosing cleaning tools, well-known products such as Malwarebytes for Mac and CleanMyMac
Have you ever encountered pop-up ads popping up crazily one after another? How did you solve this problem in the end? Please share your experience in the comment area. If you think this article will be helpful, please like it and share it with more friends who may otherwise encounter the same problem.
