What is VindInstaller Mac?
This article has been created with the primary purpose to help you understand what is VindInstaller and how you can remove it from your computer. VindInstaller is a potentially unwanted program that may heavily affect Mac computers by bombarding them with a lot of different advertisements.
Applications, related to VindInstaller can carry different names, but they are all tied to the same adware developer, that is also responsible for MacMin adware. VindInstaller is also the type of software that may lead you to different sites that may be outright dangerous for your Mac since they could end up being a scam or even viruses. This is the primary reason why you should consider removing VindInstaller from your Mac ASAP.
VindInstaller Summary
| Name | AMCleaner, also known as OSX/Vidinstaller, MacOS:VindInst-C[Adw], Adware.OSX.FkCodec.B, Trojan.Vindinstaller.3, HEUR:Trojan-Downloader.OSX.VIdsler.a and OSX/FkCodec-A – VirusTotal report. |
| Type | PUP, risky software |
| 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 machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your macOS Has Been Affected by VindInstaller
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss VindInstaller. |
VindInstaller Mac – Description
VindInstaller may end up on your Mac as a result of bundling activities. This means that its .dmg file may be included in combination with some free app you may have downloaded from the web. People often disregard the “Advanced” install mode when they set up new apps and go for the “Express” install. This is why you may not remember having VindInstaller to be added to your Mac.
Be aware that VindInstaller is not a single program. It is rather sets of programs that are all tied to the same developer. Examples include MacVeXe, fake MPlayerX package, MacMin, and other apps. Once on your computer, VindInstaller may create a task that runs a file in the following Mac directory:
$HOME/Library/run-app.sh
VindInstaller apps often pretend as they are legitimate and created to assist users in choosing good offers and discounts for any products they seem to be looking on the web. The reality is that this app may use trackers to get information from your browsing activity, such as:
- Online clicks.
- Search history.
- Browsing history.
- Bookmarked sites.
But this is hardly all that VindInstaller does because it may also attack your web browsers. So far, reports indicate seeing it modify the settings of Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. These “modifications” may include changing settings in the browser that may set this questionable application as being a home page, new tab page, and even appear as a search engine instead of Google.
But probably the primary concern related to this risky application is tied to the ads it displays. Once added on your computer, it could start to show the following types of advertisements:
- Pop-up ads.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Push pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
These ads are the main way applications, like VindInstaller get monetized because they may generate income via pay-per-click schemes. The main problem that is related to these advertisements is that they could also lead you to websites that may be scam sites, phishing pages, or even virus URLs. This is why apps like this one, are considered indirectly harmful for your Mac, and their removal is strongly advisable.
Remove VindInstaller from Your mac
VindInstaller can be deleted from your Mac if you follow the removal instructions we have posted underneath. They are specifically created with the purpose of helping you delete this risky software from macOS and your web browsers. Be advised that for automatic and best removal, experts do advise downloading and running a scan of your Mac. This can happen if you install reputable anti-malware software. It is a professional solution that will take care of all the risky files and make sure your Mac is secure in the future.
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 VindInstaller files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as VindInstaller, 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 VindInstaller 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 VindInstaller:
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 VindInstaller. 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 VindInstaller. 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 VindInstaller 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 VindInstaller. 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 VindInstaller – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
VindInstaller-FAQ
What is VindInstaller on your Mac?
The VindInstaller 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 VindInstaller?
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 VindInstaller?
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 VindInstaller Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this VindInstaller 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 VindInstaller?
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 VindInstaller threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.