What Is KeyData Mac
KeyData is the name of a browser redirect virus, that may affect primarily Mac devices. Seeing this software to be active on your Mac is an indicator that it may be compromised already. The main reason for this is the purpose why programs, like KeyData exist on your Mac – to show ads for profit. KeyData is the type of software that has been created with the main purpose to profit using pay-per-click schemes added on the ads it shows. The main issues this may cause for you range from slowing down your Mac’s performance all the way up to getting your Mac infected with malware by redirecting it to different unwanted and dangerous sites.
Read this article to learn more about KeyData and how to remove it from your Mac.
KeyData Summary
| Name | KeyData |
| 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 |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by KeyData
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss KeyData. |
KeyData Mac – What Does It Do?
KeyData is the kind of program, created mainly to wreak havoc on your Mac and profit from ads. It is very similar to a recent wave of adware apps, containing similar names and allegedly the same app icon. Recent examples of those include OperativeToolView, ArchivesTransation and PerameterQuest.
Once the KeyData software is already on your Mac, it may begin causing several different types of ads after it carefully modifies your web browsers. These ads may include the following types:
- Highlighted text links.
- Banner promotions.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Browser pop-ups.
- Third-party transfers.
- Custom search result ads.
These ads may contain multiple different types of trackers, that may be included on your computer. Such trackers often containing components in them used to store information about:
- Search history.
- Pages you have visited.
- Mouse movements and clicks.
- Websites that are bookmarked.
- Browsing history.
For now, it is not clear how software, like KeyData ends up on your Mac, but it is very likely to be via bundling. This means that KeyData may be included somewhere in the install steps of other freeware apps you may have recently added, like media players, image editing and other forms of freeware.
The main problems that are related to the websites promoted by this software are due to the detail that may be shown to make money without care to which site they will take you. This is how you may end up being redirected to the following dangerous domains:
- Scam domains and pages.
- Virus websites or malicious URLs.
- Fake tech support pages.
- Rogue software or scam software download URLs.
- Multiple pay-per-click browser redirects that lead to dangerous sites.
- Scam survey pages.
- Phishing domains.
This is the main reason why KeyData is classified as indirectly dangerous program for your Mac and should be removed from it immediately.
Remove KeyData from Your Mac
If you want to get rid of KeyData from your device, we would strongly recommend that you follow the removal guide that has been posted underneath this article. This guide is specifically made in order to assist you in best removing malware and adware from the likes of KeyData from both your browsers and Mac. If you want a quick and automatic solution, then the most appropriate tool for the job is an advanced anti-malware software. Such a program will effectively scan your computer to detect and delete any adware and malware from it.
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 KeyData files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as KeyData, 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 KeyData 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 KeyData:
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 KeyData. 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 KeyData. 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 KeyData 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 KeyData. 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 KeyData – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
KeyData-FAQ
What is KeyData on your Mac?
The KeyData 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 KeyData?
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 KeyData?
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 KeyData Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this KeyData 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 KeyData?
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 KeyData threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.