What Is ExpandedNet Mac
ExpandedNet is the name of an ad work program that may appear on your Macintosh device. The main problem that this software may be for your Mac is related to the advertisements that are displayed by the ExpandedNet. These ads are mostly used by this application purely to make money to its developers and they could very often lead to unsafe websites. This is the main reason why this application is classified as indirectly risky for your devices should be getting rid of immediately.
Read this article in order to learn more concerning the activity of ExpandedNet and how you can get rid of it completely.
ExpandedNet Mac – Details
| Name | ExpandedNet |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your device 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 |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by ExpandedNet
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ExpandedNet. |
ExpandedNet Virus – How Did I Get Infected
Judging by his behaviour and its name, ExpandedNet most likely belongs to a family of adware programs, commonly referred to as the AdLoad PUPs. These programs also include the recently detected SelectorComponent, EdgeAdvanced and JumpSearch and can be hundreds and maybe even thousands in number.
One of the main ways that are used by this adware family to make sure it’s programs land on your Mac without you knowing it is called software bundling. This means that these applications could be on your device by being included in the installers of some other free apps, like the following:
Furthermore, using fake Adobe Flash Player updates on webpages that may appear on your web browser as a redirect could also be the reason why the software has ended up on your Mac:
ExpandedNet – What Does It Do?
The main activity of ExpandedNet once it lands on your Mac is it first may change some of the settings of your web browsers, like the homepage, new tab webpage and browser extensions. Then, it could begin to display different types of advertisement, like the following:
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Intrusive push notifications.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
ExpandedNet could also track what you do online, using cookies and other types of tracking technologies:
These tracking technologies can be utilized to obtain information of the following kinds:
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- Your mouse clicks.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
Is ExpandedNet a Virus?
No, ExpandedNet it’s not reported as a virus, but rather as a potentially unwanted program, also referred to as a PUP. These programs are indirectly risky to your device and could be just as dangerous as any other malware for Mac. The main reason for that is that they could show risky advertisements that can possibly lead to the following unsafe websites:
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- Rogue software sites.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
This is the primary reason, why we recommend that you take steps towards removing this program immediately.
How to Remove ExpandedNet from Mac?
To remove ExpandedNet, one way is to follow the removal instructions that have been posted beneath this guide. They are created with the main idea to help you clean up your web browsers and your operating system from all traces of this application. For the most effective removal, security experts strongly advise that you do the removal automatically by using anti-malware for Mac. Such a professional two is designed from the ground up to perform a thorough scan of your Mac and clean it up from any viruses, trackers and other malware.
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 ExpandedNet files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ExpandedNet, 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 ExpandedNet 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 ExpandedNet:
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 ExpandedNet. 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 ExpandedNet. 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 ExpandedNet 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 ExpandedNet. 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 ExpandedNet – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ExpandedNet-FAQ
What is ExpandedNet on your Mac?
The ExpandedNet 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 ExpandedNet?
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 ExpandedNet?
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 ExpandedNet Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ExpandedNet 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 ExpandedNet?
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 ExpandedNet threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.