Focus Provide is an application that can sneak into your Mac without your knowledge. This behavior is typical for adware applications like the so-called Focus Provide virus.
Focus Provide “Virus” on Mac
When your default browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) is inundated with intrusive pop-ups, banners, new browser windows and other types of annoying ads associated Focus Provide then your Mac is affected by a potentially unwanted program. Maybe the is installed in the browser as a browser extension or directly on the system in a hidden folder. A potentially unwanted application (PUA) like Focus Provide “virus” has two primary goals. The first one is to collect certain technical details from the affected system and user-related data from the affected browser. The second goal of such type of an app is to generate sponsored content in order to monetize its presence on an affected machine.
Beware that the manual removal of Focus Provide virus app could be a difficult process. Since the program is likely to alter certain system settings that enable it to reappear after every time you start the Mac operating system, you may need to use the help of an advanced anti-malware tool to permanently remove this nasty app and keep your Mac protected against future malware attacks.
Check the instructions located at the bottom of this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Focus Provide |
| Type | PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks your default browser, be it Chrome or Safari. It can perform browser modifications without your knowledge to add a browser extension and generate intrusive advertisements. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser can be altered to display a bogus search engine. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Focus Provide. |
Focus Provide “Virus” App – More Information
The sudden and unexpected appearance of Focus Provide makes many users believe that it is a type of malware or virus, thus calling it “Focus Provide virus.” However, the unwanted appearance of Focus Provide in your favorite browser is most likely caused by an associated active potentially unwanted application.
Such unwanted apps manage to affect a Mac operating system via bundling and more specifically, bundled downloads. Bundling is a method widely used by app developers with the purpose of monetizing their apps quickly by displaying advertisements. For this to be possible, legitimate applications could have included this ad-supported app in their installation setups, and you could have downloaded them without knowing.
Once Focus Provide is started on the system, it becomes able to perform changes that affect some main browser preferences and system settings. These programs are mainly designed to collect certain details so that they can then present targeted sponsored content to affected users. Data collection takes place with tracking technologies such as cookies, web beacons, scripts, etc.
As a result, the app could collect:
- 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)
Once Focus Provide’s operators obtain the details they misuse the access to your system to deliver targeted sponsored content. What they hope is that you will be more prone to click on the ads you see as this will generate them revenue via the so-called pay-per-click advertising model.
The bottom line is that longer Focus Provide “virus” app runs on your Mac, the more exposed you become to a range of issues. That is why its complete removal is absolutely recommended.
Remove Focus Provide on Mac
In order to remove Focus Provide along with all entries it created on the Mac system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual Focus Provide removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
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 Focus Provide files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Focus Provide, 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 Focus Provide 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 Focus Provide:
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 Focus Provide. 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 Focus Provide. 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 Focus Provide 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 Focus Provide. 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 Focus Provide – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Focus Provide-FAQ
What is Focus Provide on your Mac?
The Focus Provide 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 Focus Provide?
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 Focus Provide?
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 Focus Provide Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Focus Provide 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 Focus Provide?
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 Focus Provide threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.