What Is FormatBoost Mac?
Just like other applications of this type, the FormatBoost app is also categorized as a potentially unsafe software and adware. These types of apps generate profit to their developers by pretending to be helpful, but in the same time heavily modifying your web browsers to show a lot of different ads. These ads may not all be risky, but since they are only displayed for profit, they may eventually lead you to sites that could turn to be unsafe. This is the main reason why you should read the following article. It explains the consequences of having apps, like FormatBoost and how you can remove them from your Mac effectively.
FormatBoost Summary
| Name | FormatBoost |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP for Mac |
| 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 macOS. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by FormatBoost
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss FormatBoost. |
FormatBoost – What Does It Do
The FormatBoost adware can be spread onto your Mac by being bundled alongside other programs’ installers. You could encounter it in the setup files of such programs to be advertised as a free extra or an optionally offered add-on. It is easy to miss the install step of FormatBoost, however, because it might as well be in the “Advanced” than in the “Express” install steps. This is why you may not remember installing this app.
Just like ProcessBrand, AnalyzerWindow, StandBoost and StandardProduct adware, FormatBoost may also appear as if it may “damage your computer” in a pop-up and may have the same program icon. This suggests that these apps could be related and likely made by the same developers.
The main business of FormatBoost is showing you ads. It may set up different trackers, like cookies, tags, pixels, geo-locators on your computer that may be used to determine certain details about what you do online. Such are:
- The sites you have visited.
- Bookmarks you have set up.
- The browsing history.
- Clicks you have made.
These trackers are on your Mac as objects and they can be difficult to detect and remove manually, because they are not exactly files.
The main business of FormatBoost is to flood your Mac with a lot of ads. These ads could end up being of the following types and could slow down your Mac’s performance:
- Ad-supported searches.
- Highlighted ads in text.
- Banner promotions.
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirect ads.
- Push notification adverts.
The ads that could be displayed by FormatBoost can end up leading you to several websites that could be dangerous in one or more ways. These sites could end up being:
- Virus URLs or malware sites.
- Tech Support scam pages.
- Fake survey scams.
- Phishing.
- Scams.
These are the main reason why FormatBoost is considered to be indirectly dangerous for your Mac
How to Remove FormatBoost from Your Mac
The FormatBoost adware can be deleted from macOS if you follow the removal instructions that are posted underneath this article. For the best removal, security experts advise downloading and running a scan of your Mac using an anti-malware app. Such software will detect any files and objects out of the ordinary and get rid of all malware or adware from your Mac. It will also ensure that you Mac is protected 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 FormatBoost files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as FormatBoost, 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 FormatBoost 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 FormatBoost:
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 FormatBoost. 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 FormatBoost. 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 FormatBoost 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 FormatBoost. 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 FormatBoost – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
FormatBoost-FAQ
What is FormatBoost on your Mac?
The FormatBoost 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 FormatBoost?
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 FormatBoost?
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 FormatBoost Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this FormatBoost 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 FormatBoost?
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 FormatBoost threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.