What is ImaginePrime extension? Is ImaginePrime a virus or is it safe? How to remove ImaginePrime virus completely from your Mac? Guide for MacOS.
ImaginePrime is a browser extension that is not exactly what you would want to have on your Mac. The browser extension aims to be added via suspicious sites or several other types of methods and its primary goal is to deliver a lot of ads and extract information from your computer. ImaginePrime virus extension is classified by security experts as a PUA (potentially unwanted application), since the ads it delivers may not only slow down your Mac, but they may also lead to dangerous websites. Read this article to understand how ImaginePrime virus extension works and how to remove it from your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | ImaginePrime Virus |
| Type | PUA for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to change your web browser settings and deliver all sorts of ads on your Mac that may lead to dangerous websites. |
| Symptoms | Pop-ups, banners, browser redirects, changed home and new tab page of your Safari, Chrome, Opera and Firefox browsers. |
| Distribution Method | By being advertised on suspicious pages or being bundled with third-party installers. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ImaginePrime Virus. |
ImaginePrime – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The primary method of distribution that is used by ImaginePrime is believed to be conducted via multiple different methods. One of them Is believed to be a browser redirect that advertises ImaginePrime as a legimate browser extension that can contribute in one way or another to your online browsing activities. Such redirects can happen if you visit a low reputation site without an ad blocker or if you already have some sort of adware on your Mac. Another distribution method used is likely via an ImaginePrime app that carries the extension with itself. The ImaginePrime app may either be added by the user, thinking it is a legitimate program that can help out or of it comes bundled with the installers of other apps. If so, ImaginePrime virus could be advertised as a “free extra” or an “optional offer” to your Mac.
ImaginePrime virus can be added to your browser and the only thing you will notice is the extension prompt that is shown:
Once it is added, it may begin to change your browser’s settings. It could change you home page, your new tab page to display a third-party site, whose primary purpose is to lead traffic and generate views. Such sites often have fake search engine, that actually display advertisements instead of actual search results.
Not only this, but also another side effect of having ImaginePrime on your computer is that it may display the following types of ads:
- Banners.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Browser Redirects.
- Pop-ups.
- Highlighted text ads.
These ads can be dangerous in more than one way for your computer. The main dangers that are associated with them could be redirects to malicious or scam sites.
Remove ImaginePrime from Your Mac
To remove ImaginePrime effectively from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath. They have been created with the main idea to help remove ImaginePrime either manually or automatically from your computer. If you want to remove ImaginePrime automatically from your Mac, then we suggest that you use an advanced malware cleaner. Such professional cleanup software aims to effectively scan your computer and help you get rid of all traces by ImaginePrime from your Mac.
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 ImaginePrime Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ImaginePrime Virus, 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 ImaginePrime Virus 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 ImaginePrime Virus:
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 ImaginePrime Virus. 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 ImaginePrime Virus. 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 ImaginePrime Virus 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 ImaginePrime Virus. 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 ImaginePrime Virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ImaginePrime Virus-FAQ
What is ImaginePrime Virus on your Mac?
The ImaginePrime Virus 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 ImaginePrime Virus?
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 ImaginePrime Virus?
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 ImaginePrime Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ImaginePrime Virus 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 ImaginePrime Virus?
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 ImaginePrime Virus threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.