BrowserState App on Mac
What is BrowserState? This is an adware app developed to harvest data from victims and generate revenue for fraudsters. The activation of this application could lead to several issues. The BrowserState adware will modify basic settings to start generating various adverts. This, in turn, will lower macOS security and leave the system more vulnerable to malware attacks.
Even if BrowserState adware is not classified as malicious, it could open suspicious or hacked pages that contain malware via the intrusive ads it pushes. We recommend that you read this removal article, as it will give you instructions on how to remove BrowserState from your Mac.
BrowserState Summary
| Name | BrowserState |
| Type | Adware / Unwanted Software for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your Mac in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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BrowserState Mac Adware – What Does It Do?
BrowserState belongs to a category of applications that are called adware. The developers of this potentially unwanted app are currently unidentified. Adware is the type of software that aims to run on computer systems in order to monetize its presence there. Its goal to generate revenue for fraudsters is supported by ads. You can recognize BrowserState by an icon that displays a magnifying glass.
Other similar adware that we have recently detected in the wild are:
Once BrowserState adware runs on a Mac, it may start applying changes to system settings and installed browsers. To obtain permissions over installed web browsers, this adware may add a suspicious extension. It may try to install it by showing a legitimate-like pop-up window. For example, you may notice a warning scareware message.
One way or another, the moment BrowserState obtains access to a target browser, it will start showing various online adverts. The affected browser may be forced to load some of the following ads:
- Push notifications.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Browser redirects.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Banners.
We strongly advise all people whose macOS got infected by BrowserState to refrain from interacting with these promotions and ads. There is a risk of visits to suspicious pages, infected, hacked, or phishing sites. That is why it is extremely important that you concentrate on removing BrowserState adware from your Mac as soon as possible.
Remove BrowserState Mac Adware
You can get rid of BrowserState by navigating to the steps shown below. They contain all the necessary actions you should do in order to eliminate this nasty application. Also, if you want to fully eliminate this and any other PUP, you should download and perform a scan with an advanced anti-malware app for Mac. This security software has the capability of scanning and discovering all kinds of suspicious code on your Mac and delete it completely.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove BrowserState files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as BrowserState, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall BrowserState and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to BrowserState:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to BrowserState. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to BrowserState. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove BrowserState via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as BrowserState. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove BrowserState – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
BrowserState-FAQ
What is BrowserState on your Mac?
The BrowserState threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like BrowserState?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from BrowserState?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the BrowserState Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this BrowserState how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on BrowserState?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the BrowserState threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.