The a.akamaihd.net browser redirect “hijacks” your web browser and starts to display different types of advertisements to it. This article presents instructions on how to get rid of Akamaihd.net virus on Mac.
Akamaihd Virus
Let’s start by saying that Akamaihd is a legitimate content delivery network that is, however, abused by adware and browser hijackers. That’s why sites like default120617-a.akamaihd.net, lkysearchds-a.akamaihd.net, rvzr-a.akamaihd.net that hijack users’ web browsers without permission appear to be related to Akamaihd. A domain, called a.akamaihd.net associated with hoax search engines has been reported to be associated with a Browser Hijacker. The domain is reported to originate from North America mainly affecting users in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Algeria and the US. Users who see one of the Akamaihd viruses are strongly advised to remove the browser hijacker via an advanced anti-malware tool, back up their data and change their passwords.
Threat Summary
| Name | Akamaihd.net virus |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your PC. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Akamaihd.net virus. |
Waht is Akamaihd.net Virus on Mac? How does it spread?
One method of distribution browser hijackers like Akamaihd use is called bundling download. It means that the program may come added to the installer of another free program you may have downloaded onto your PC. Users usually tend to skip the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation options when they download installers from third-party software providing sites. This is how they tend to miss “Add this as a free extra” installation steps that may have added Akamaihd.net browser hijacker.
The domain itself appears to resemble the notorious legitimate company, called Akamai. However, it may have nothing to do with it. Instead, the domain has the following search engines and web links that are reported as its associations:
- rvzr-a.akamaihd.net
- search1901451-a.akamaihd.net
- lkysearchds4694-a.akamaihd.net
- uhytajrtpo-a.akamaihd.net
- search44516326-a.akamaihd.net
- lkysearchhds1503-a.akamaihd.net
- searchinterneat-a.akamaihd.net
- searchsimple-a.akamaihd.net
- fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net
- hfbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net
- fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net
- fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net
The different sites linking in with the domain are created with a different purpose. MainSearch and SearchSimple are hoax search engines and one of them uses Yahoo search redirects.
Once activated on your Mac, the browser hijacker may create executable processes and hijack your browser, change its settings, change your home page as well as your new tab page to one of the above-mentioned search engines.
Furthermore, the hijacker may create a value or a profile that may enable it to load automatically on each system start. The value may be set to run the executable on system start-up. Experts believe that the browser hijacker may do the following with the purpose of collecting information about the user`s browsing behavior.
This is called behavioral advertising and it aims to display targeted advertisements based on what you search online, your browsing history as well as other information. It is being implemented primarily via tracking technologies such as cookies, web beacons, pixels and sometimes even running modules such as the one above. Researchers believe that this running executable that may be used by the Akamaihd.net browser hijacker may be to make it difficult to manually uninstall.
The advertisements that may be displayed via the Akamaihd browser hijacker may be served to the user the following ways:
- Taken over banner spaces.
- Direct pop-ups while browsing.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Browser redirects.
All of the advertisements served to the user may link to suspicious third-party sites since this may be the purpose of the browser hijacker. Most browser hijackers aim to drive hoax traffic to third-party websites. And when it comes to such websites, several dangers may be encountered, belonging to these two types:
- Infect the user with different malware via malicious redirects or fake setups (Trojans, Ransomware, Rootkit/Bootkit, Worms, etc.)
- Install a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) as a browser extension that displays even more advertisements.
- Scam the user using scamming websites (fake tech support, fake antiviurus, non-existent product trials or rewards in exchange for financial information).
Helpful feedback of an affected user suggests the following fix:
This has been bugging me for a while as well, and I finally cracked it! The GoPhoto.it extension is in your home directory, under Library/Application Support/Mozilla/Extensions. The folder called “{ec8030f7-c20a-464f-9b0e-13a3a9e97384}” is the one you need to delete.
Your Library folder is hidden by default on newer versions of Mac OS, the easiest way to get there is to open the terminal and type “open ~/Library”
Since adware/browser hijackers that misuse the Akamaihd service change a variety of essential system and browser settings and this way leave the system vulnerable to further malware attacks, we recommend a deep system scan with an advanced anti-malware tool.
Remove Akamaihd.net Virus Completely
In order to get rid of Akamaihd from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been created with the main purpose to help you detect and get rid of Akamaihd.net effectively from your machine step by step. For maximum effectiveness, we strongly recommend that you download and run a scan of your computer by using an advanced malware removal software. Such a program will help you fully eliminate Akamaihd virus from your computer and ensure that it is protected against such attacks on your data in the future too.
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 Akamaihd.net virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Akamaihd.net virus-FAQ
What is Akamaihd.net virus on your Mac?
The Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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 Akamaihd.net 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.