If you want to get rid of DefaultProcesser app on Mac, then make sure to follow the steps in this removal guide article. The steps presented below can help you remove the unwanted program and strengthen the security of your macOS.
DefaultProcesser Mac Adware
DefaultProcesser Mac Adware as a malware for Mac computers can infect target victims via different strategies. This will depend on the target users and the preferences set by the hacking group. The collected samples are not many which shows that this may be a test release campaign.
In this article, we will reveal a few more issues that occur when DefaultProcesser adware is started on a Mac system as well as efficient ways to remove all present harmful files.
Threat Summary
| Name | DefaultProcesser |
| Type | PUP, Adware |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks Mac systems and popular browsers like Safari and Chrome installed on them. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | 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 DefaultProcesser. |
Issues Caused by DefaultProcesser Adware on Mac
The DefaultProcesser Mac Adware is a dangerous threat designed for Apple’s desktop operating system. It can be delivered under different form however the most popular one is the installation of a browser hijacker — a type of malware-infected plugin which is designed for the popular web browsers. They will be designed to look like regular plugins and will be uploaded to the relevant repositories with fake or stolen user reviews, descriptions and etc.
Another popular strategy is to integrate the virus code in various payload carriers — common variants are macro-infected documents and setup installer bundles. The documents can be of all popular formats: presentations, databases, text documents and spreadsheets. When they are opened by the victim users a prompt will be launched asking them to enable the code. The application installers are of popular programs that are usually installed by the end users. They can be office programs, productivity software, system utilities or even computer games.
The virus-related data can be spread on the Internet using phishing strategies that will use email messages or host fake pages. Both the messages and the sites can impersonate well-known services or companies by being hosted on similar sounding domain names and include self-signed security certificates. Through them the virus data can be integrated as download, web elements or deployed in the content.
The virus files can be uploaded to BitTorrent trackers or other file-sharing networks or even to online community sites and portals like forums, social networks and chat rooms.
When the DefaultProcesser Mac Adware is installed on the system a malicious sequence will be started — it will invoke commands that are part of the main engine. They can vary across the different attack campaigns. and will depend on the hackers goals for the target victims. However given the fact that the adware looks very similar to other common Mac viruses we expect to see a typical mechanism.
Usually the main code will run a data harvesting procedure which will hijack information from the victim users that can be used to expose their identity. Any harvested machine details will be fed to a special algorithm that will output an unique ID devised for each computer. DefaultProcesser Adware on Mac can lead to dangerous system changes that can reconfigure the boot options which will lead to the automatic startup of the malware when the computer is powered on.
Other changes can be to important configuration files — this can lead to serious performance issues, the inability to start certain services or even data loss. Many malware can be configured to delete backups of important data which makes it very difficult to restore the affected computers.
In the end the adware can also be used to install other viruses onto the affected machines. Common examples are ransomware — file encrypting threats which will blackmail the users into paying paying a decryption fee to restore access to the affected data. Trojan horse infections are the other category of common malware — they are designed to take over control of the systems and steal user files. Web-based infections and specifically browser hijackers can also install cryptocurrency miners which will download and run complex performance-intensive tasks. For every completed and reported on the hhackers will be awarded cryptocurrency assets payment.
Remove DefaultProcesser Mac Adware
In order to remove the DefaultProcesser adware program along with all entries it has created on the 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. Some of the files associated with the adware cannot be removed manually except you are an experienced computer user. So the manual adware 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 removal and get rid of DefaultProcesser adware with the help of advanced anti-malware tool.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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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 DefaultProcesser files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DefaultProcesser, 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 DefaultProcesser 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 DefaultProcesser:
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 DefaultProcesser. 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 DefaultProcesser. 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 DefaultProcesser 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 DefaultProcesser. 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 DefaultProcesser – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
DefaultProcesser-FAQ
What is DefaultProcesser on your Mac?
The DefaultProcesser 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 DefaultProcesser?
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 DefaultProcesser?
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 DefaultProcesser Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DefaultProcesser 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 DefaultProcesser?
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 DefaultProcesser threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.