What Is ActivityInput.gqa
ActivityInput.gqa is the name of a Mac software that has been classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). These types of programs aim to enter your Mac and begin to heavily modify the web browsers installed in them. Their main idea is to cause a lot of ads on your Mac, since this is how the creators make profit.
The ads that such programs generate are often quite suspicious. Thus, ActivityInput.gqa can lead you to dangerous ads that may even be scams or malware. Read this article if your want to learn how you can remove this nasty software completely from your Mac.
Summary
| Name | ActivityInput.gqa |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP |
| Removal Time | Less than 15 minutes |
| Detection Tool |
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ActivityInput.gqa – More Information
ActivityInput.gqa is the type of program that may be spread on your Mac by being added optionally to installers of other apps. This behavior is known as bundling and we see it used by other apps, like this one, such as OperativeUnit, RotatorBox and HistoryCollector.
The main way these apps get installed is if they are added in the “Custom” or “Advanced” install modes of another free app you could have recently downloaded outside of official Apple store. Such apps can be YouTube downloaders, converters and other software of this kind. In their installers, ActivityInput.gqa could be seen in one of the steps offered as a “free extra” of some sort and this step is usually skipped or well hidden from “Express” install.
What Does It Do?
Once this app is in your Mac it may use different trackers to determine information on your online activities. Such information could be tracked by cookies, tags, flash cookies, pixels and other objects dropped on your computer. These objects may be well hidden and may stay years of time if not removed from your Mac. They could be used to collect the following user data from your online browsing:
- The browsing history.
- The sites you have visited..
- Bookmarks you have set up.
- Clicks you have made.
The main activity of this app revolves around the many ads it shows. These advertisements could eventually lead you to dangerous websites. This is why this software may not be a virus, but it could be just as dangerous. These ads that you may be redirected to could end up leading you to the following risky sites:
- Scams.
- Tech Support scam pages.
- Fake survey scams.
- Phishing.
- Virus URLs or malware sites.
And you should watch out, because having this PUP on your computer could bring the following ads to it:
- Highlighted ads in text.
- Banner promotions.
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirect ads.
- Ad-supported searches.
- Push notification adverts.
These are the primary reasons to consider removing ActivityInput.gqa as soon as you can from your Mac.
Remove ActivityInput.gqa from Your Mac
ActivityInput.gqa can be removed from your Mac if you follow the guide that we have posted underneath. Keep in mind that the most secure removal method is running an anti-malware program.
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 ActivityInput.gqa files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ActivityInput.gqa, 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 ActivityInput.gqa 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 ActivityInput.gqa:
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 ActivityInput.gqa. 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 ActivityInput.gqa. 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 ActivityInput.gqa 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 ActivityInput.gqa. 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 ActivityInput.gqa – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ActivityInput.gqa-FAQ
What is ActivityInput.gqa on your Mac?
The ActivityInput.gqa 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 ActivityInput.gqa?
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 ActivityInput.gqa?
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 ActivityInput.gqa Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ActivityInput.gqa 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 ActivityInput.gqa?
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 ActivityInput.gqa threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.