What Is BasicKey
If you have encountered a program with what appears to likely be a magnifier icon, called BasicKey, then be advised that this software has been set up for one idea on your Mac – profit. The main way programs, like BasicKey make money is via the ads they show on your Mac. These ads are very often monetized via pay-per-click and other schemes. This creates some problems for you as it may expose your Mac to certain risks, for example, redirects to scam sites or virus sites as a result. This is the main reason why programs, like BasicKey may not be viruses but may be just as risky for your Mac.
Read this article if you want to understand how to remove BasicKey from your Mac and stop the ads.
BasicKey Summary
| Name | BasicKey |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss BasicKey. |
BasicKey Mac Adware – How Does It Work?
Just like typical adware for Mac, such as EdgeTechnology, FindBooster and NetFunctionSearch, BasicKey may also be included in your Mac as a result of software bundling. This means that this program may be added to your device by being optionally featured as a “free extra” or offer of some sort that is added to the installers of other freeware, such as media players, file converters and other apps, downloaded online from third-party sites.
Once this program has already found its way on your Mac, it may begin to modify the settings of your web browsers. This does include changing the home page, new tab page, and other web pages that are set as default. The main idea of this process is to display ads to you without your consent. The ad types of which BasicKey may be responsible while active on your Mac could be of the following:
- Banner promotions.
- Push advertisements.
- Pop-up ads.
- Site redirects that lead to third-party domains.
- Search result ads instead of objective results.
- Highlighted texts with ad links in them.
These ads often contain tracking technologies, or in other words cookies, tags, pixels and other such objects. These are small files dropped on your web browsers and used to obtain information concerning your browsing activities, like:
- The web pages open on your tabs.
- The browsing history of your current main browser.
- The searches that you have made.
- Your mouse clicks and movements.
- Your favorite and bookmarked sites.
But these trackers are not the main reason why BasicKey is considered indirectly risky for your Macintosh. The primary issue with this app is that the ads that it shows are purely displayed to you for profit without any regard to which sites they may take you to. This is often how you may get redirected to one of the following risky domains as it often tends to happen:
- Scam pages.
- Dubious software download domains.
- Multiple redirect type of scheme sites.
- Fake retailer stores.
- Phishing sites.
- Virus and malware URLs.
- Fake tech support web pages that lock you out of your browser.
This is why you should not keep programs, like BasicKey adware on your Mac for long.
Remove BasicKey from Your Mac
BasicKey is the type of software that should be removed from your Mac and the removal manual we have created below is designed to help you with this process. It contains the necessary steps that will assist you in deleting this software from both your browser and your Mac. For the most effective removal, be advised that experts strongly advise that you get rid of BasicKey from your device automatically by scanning it using a professional anti-malware for Mac. Such a program has been created with the primary purpose to scan for and detect any adware, malware and other unwanted software and clean it up from your Mac.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and 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 BasicKey files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as BasicKey, 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 BasicKey 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 BasicKey:
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 BasicKey. 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 BasicKey. 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 BasicKey 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 BasicKey. 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 BasicKey – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
BasicKey-FAQ
What is BasicKey on your Mac?
The BasicKey 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 BasicKey?
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 BasicKey?
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 BasicKey Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this BasicKey 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 BasicKey?
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 BasicKey threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.