This guide presents more details about DataTransportation Adware and provides easy to follow removal steps.
DataTransportation is an adware program that could infiltrate your Mac device without your knowledge. Once installed on your device it could affect the settings of your preferred web browser and then start displaying lots of annoying pop-ups and other types of advertisements during your browsing sessions. Furthermore, the undesired program could install tracking technologies in order to spy on your online behavior.
Threat Summary
| Name | DataTransportation |
| Type | Adware |
| Short Description | Unwanted program that alters browser settings and generates lots of annoying ads. |
| Symptoms | Many undesired advertisements start to appear on all web pages you visit. The affected browser becomes slower and even crashes at times. |
| Distribution Method | Software Bundles, Corrupted Installers |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Combo Cleaner
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|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss DataTransportation. |
DataTransportation – Spread Mechanisms
In general, potentially unwanted programs, like DataTransportation are spread with the help of shady techniques. These techniques conceal the presence of PUPs’ configuration files which makes it harder for you to prevent their installation. Such techniques are known to be software bundling, corrupted web pages, fake software update notifications, and others.
The most common technique is known to be software bundling. So you might have installed it along with any desired and supposedly useful free third-party program. The moment of its installation could be missed easily. Especially in case, you used the help of the regular setup steps. A good prevention tip we could recommend is to access the Advanced/Custom configuration step. There you could find details on present extras and eventually prevent their unattended installation.
Once installed the adware could affect popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Safari.
DataTransportation Adware – More Information
DataTransportation is an adware program that lands on your Mac without your knowledge and starts generating unwanted advertisements on all websites you are browsing.
On one hand, this could result in significant browser slowdowns and even crashes sometimes. On the other hand, the ads you see may be configured to load poorly secured web pages that present deceptive offers. It is also possible that some of the annoying ads will be part of malvertising campaigns. So they could be misused by hackers for the delivery of malicious code. If you want to prevent your Mac from being affected by additional malware, you should remove DataTransportation adware from it as soon as possible.
Yet another issue that may be a result of having DataTransportation adware running on your Mac is unsolicited data collection. This is usually realized with the help of different tracking technologies like cookies, web beacons, javascript, etc. And soon after the adware activates them on your system, it becomes able to obtain details like:
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP)
Collected data could be used by DataTransportation’s owners for the improvement of their advertising campaigns. As a result, they could start delivering more ads based on your interests in the affected browser. At worst, the owners of this nasty adware program may decide to disclose data records with third-parties of unknown origin or release them for sale on dark web markets.
Remove DataTransportation Adware from Your Mac
In order to remove DataTransportation along with all associated files that alter browser settings, you should complete several removal steps. The guide below presents all removal steps in a precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approach. However, if you want to fully get rid of this undesired program you should combine the steps. By doing this you will also strengthen the security of your device and keep it safe against malware intrusions.
In case you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 DataTransportation files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DataTransportation, 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 DataTransportation 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 DataTransportation:
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 DataTransportation. 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 DataTransportation. 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 DataTransportation 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 DataTransportation. 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 DataTransportation – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
DataTransportation-FAQ
What is DataTransportation on your Mac?
The DataTransportation 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 DataTransportation?
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 DataTransportation?
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 DataTransportation Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DataTransportation 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 DataTransportation?
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 DataTransportation threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.