Did you notice the app ActivePower on your Mac? How did this app appear in the Applications list? Keep up with this article and find out how to secure your Mac again.
ActivePower on Mac
ActivePower is a program that lands on Apple Mac devices without notifying their owners. If you see this app on your Mac, you probably don’t know when and how it was installed.
Being classified as a potentially unwanted program, ActivePower has been spread via shady methods. These methods are designed to trick people into allowing the installation of PUPs without noticing. Such a method is software bundling and it is the most common one. Another is fake software updates.
One way or another, the moment ActivePower runs on a macOS, it becomes capable of modifying the settings of installed browsers. Web browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox may be affected by this adware for Mac.
In the event that you see ActivePower running on your macOS, you should remove it as soon as possible. Otherwise, it could continue disrupting system security and privacy as well.
ActivePower Summary
| Name | ActivePower |
| Type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) / Adware |
| Short Description | A program that starts loading on Mac operating systems without people wanting it. |
| Symptoms | Main system and browsing settings are affected. Lots of ads may start flooding online browsing sessions. The browser may become sluggish and unresponsive sometimes. Certain details are harvested by the program and sent to remote servers. |
| Distribution Method | Software Bundling, Freeware Packages, Fake Software Updates |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
SpyHunter for Mac
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ActivePower. |
ActivePower Adware – All About Its Impact
The potentially unwanted program ActivePower is created to generate revenue for its owners. It is compatible with Mac operating systems.
On the one hand, it may operate like adware – generate intrusive ads. On the other hand, ActivePower may have a browser hijacking module which helps it to replace the homepages of installed browsers with hoax search engines like Search Baron and Search Marquis. Either way, your oline security is lowered by its activities.
Ads generated by adware programs aim to only trick you click them as every click is paid to adware owners. The bad news is that these ads can sometimes open malicious websites. Some of them may also trigger redirect loops that eventually load pages that host dangerous scripts. Such pages may activate download and install processes in the background of all other running tasks.
Furthermore, ActivePower adware is very likely to be configured to spy on your online behavior in order to detect what type of ads you are more prone to visit. Recorded data may also be disclosed to third-parties or released on dark web markets.
The installation of this app is very likely a result of an unattended process. Unattended installations of potentially undesired apps tend to happen during the installation of desired programs. This is the so-called software bundling propagation method.
There is a way to prevent this annoying issue and it requires that you read carefully all details mentioned in the installation setups of all newly downloaded apps. Especially when you download them for free.
The most important advice we could give you is to select the Advanced/Custom configuration option whenever you see it available in the installer. By doing this you could reveal the presence of bundled apps and eventually opt out of their installation.
Considering all issues caused by ActivePower PUP, we recommend that you should remove it from your Mac as soon as possible.
Remove ActivePower Mac Adware
In order to remove ActivePower along with all its files, you should complete several removal steps. The guide below you presents all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of this particular undesired program and strengthen the security of your Mac we recommend you to combine the steps. Have in mind that files associated with this PUP may be detected with names different than ActivePower.
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 ActivePower files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ActivePower, 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 ActivePower 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 ActivePower:
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 ActivePower. 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 ActivePower. 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 ActivePower 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 ActivePower. 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 ActivePower – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ActivePower-FAQ
What is ActivePower on your Mac?
The ActivePower 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 ActivePower?
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 ActivePower?
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 ActivePower Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ActivePower 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 ActivePower?
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 ActivePower threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.