What Is ParameterQuest Mac
If you have encountered ParameterQuest, be advised that it is an ad-supported application that may appear on your Mac. This software’s main idea of existence is to show tons of different advertisements on your Mac and use these ads in order to profit, taking advantage of pay-per-click schemes and the fact that you start to see these ads in an interruptive manner, that also may slow your Mac down. The main risk of the ads, shown by apps, like ParameterQuest is that they could lead to some nasty third-party sites, like virus ones or scams.
This is why we would strongly recommend that you read this article as it contains more information about the risks of having ParameterQuest on your Mac and instructions how to safely get rid of it.
ParameterQuest Summary
| Name | ParameterQuest |
| 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 ParameterQuest. |
ParameterQuest Redirect Activity Report
Just like LookupDisplay, TopToSearch and LauncherSetup, the ParameterQuest app may also heavily modify the settings of your web browser, like change its home, new tab page and other perimeters. This is mainly conducted so that the software could bombard you with ads of various kinds, for example:
- Redirect adverts.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Pop-up ads.
- Banner ads.
- Ad-supported results when you search something.
- Text ads, highlighted on the sites you visit.
It is a common practice that these adware apps for Mac, may bring together with them cookies, tags, geo-location and other types of trackers, commonly used to obtain the following information without your consent:
- The history of your web browser.
- Sites that you have bookmarked on your computer.
- Where you click online and your mouse movement.
- Which pages you have visited.
For now it is not exactly clear how ParameterQuest could have ended up on your Mac, but it could be one of the following ways:
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up to include it.
- By being automatically bundled to other app, often freeware from third-party sites.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have on your Mac.
The advertisements this program may display once it has been situated on your Mac may be risky on several levels. They may lead to dangerous websites and even ones that could cause your Mac a malware infection. Some of the main risks this app may lead to are:
- Phishing domains.
- Fraudulent tech support scams.
- Fake software download URLs.
- Domains that may have viruses.
- Scammer websites.
- Redirect loop schemes of long URLs.
- Fake survey scams.
This is the main reason why removing ParameterQuest from your Mac is strongly reccomended.
Remove ParameterQuest from Your Device
To get rid of ParameterQuest from your Mac, we would advise that you make sure to check out the removal instructions down below. They are carefully made so that you can remove this software from both your Mac and the web browsers which may be affected by this adware. If you want a faster and effective approach, the best way to go for according to cybersecurity professionals is to skip straight to downloading and scanning your device using anti-malware for Mac. This tool is created to automatically detect and delete any trackers, adware and malware from your device.
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 ParameterQuest files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ParameterQuest, 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 ParameterQuest 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 ParameterQuest:
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 ParameterQuest. 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 ParameterQuest. 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 ParameterQuest 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 ParameterQuest. 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 ParameterQuest – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ParameterQuest-FAQ
What is ParameterQuest on your Mac?
The ParameterQuest 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 ParameterQuest?
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 ParameterQuest?
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 ParameterQuest Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ParameterQuest 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 ParameterQuest?
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 ParameterQuest threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.