What Is PDFCreator Mac
PDFCreator is the name of an application for MAC that may appear as a helpful PDF software that will help you craft and edit the document, but in reality this program may perform a lot of unwanted activities that are adware – related. This program has been reported to be related to a nasty virus for Mac, that is also known as UpdateAgent Trojan. It is characterised by connecting to a remote server and downloading different kinds of pesky applications on the victimised Mac.
Read this article to understand more about how to uninstall this unsafe software and clean up your Mac from any viruses.
PDFCreator Mac – Details
| Name | PDFCreator |
| Type | Malware / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and display different ads and unsafe contents. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down of your machine. Auto download of other unwanted software may start. |
| Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by PDFCreator
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PDFCreator. |
PDFCreator Virus – How Did I Get Infected
PDFCreator is a software that is commonly referred to as a PUP. Other such applications for Mac that we have recently seen include:
Globalqueue
ProcessorProgression
LaunchHistoryResults
The main ways these programs used to end up on your Mac is to be included as a part of the installation process of some other application. They may exist in one of the steps for install, which is also known as software bundling, for example:
Another way for this software to get that downloaded on your device is for it to have been compromised by an infection. In this case, PDFCreator is reported to be downloaded by a Trojan that situates numerous kinds of adware applications on your Mac, that is also known as UpdateAgent. It could’ve infected your Mac by posing to be a fake flash player update, like the example below shows:
PDFCreator Mac – What Does It Do?
As soon as it has been added to your Mac, this software may begin changing a lot of its settings, like the homepage, the new tab page and default search. All of this may result in you beginning to see multiple forms of pesky advertisements, like the following kinds:
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Redirects.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive push notifications.
PDFCreator may also be involved in utilizing a lot of different tracking technologies on your machine:
These include pixels, cookies, tags and other and maybe used together different forms of details, concerning what it is that you do on your browser, such as:
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is PDFCreator a Virus?
PDFCreator is reported to be an adware application. It is not a virus, but it may be problematic for your Mac, because some of the ads it shows may lead to dangerous websites, like:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
This is why it is strongly recommended that you immediately get rid of this nasty software from your device.
How to Remove PDFCreator from Mac?
PDFCreator can be effectively uninstalled from your Mac and your web browsers if you follow the guide below. It is made to help you clean up your web browsers and also uninstall this app from your macOS. If you want to make sure that your Mac is virus free and no adware appears in the future, then we recommend that you automatically remove PDFCreator and any other virus that may currently be infecting it by using a professional anti-malware. Such a security software is designed to automatically scan your Mac and make sure that any viruses are fully gone 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 PDFCreator files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PDFCreator, 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 PDFCreator 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 PDFCreator:
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 PDFCreator. 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 PDFCreator. 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 PDFCreator 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 PDFCreator. 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 PDFCreator – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
PDFCreator-FAQ
What is PDFCreator on your Mac?
The PDFCreator 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 PDFCreator?
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 PDFCreator?
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 PDFCreator Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PDFCreator 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 PDFCreator?
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 PDFCreator threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.