What Is WebApplookup
WebApplookup is the name of a potentially unwanted application that could be found on Macs. This software is problematic primarily due to the many forms of advertisements it may show while on your Mac. These ads have been created with the main idea to lead you to different websites that may be a risk for your Mac. The main reason for that is apps, like WebApplookup are mainly created to show you tons of ads for profit and their developers do not exactly care what is advertised on your machine.
Read this article if you want to learn how you can remove WebApplookup completely from your Mac.
WebApplookup Summary
| Name | WebApplookup |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP |
| 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 computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by WebApplookup
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss WebApplookup. |
WebApplookup – What Does It Do?
The main activity of WebApplookup is to show you tons of ads. These ads may be of the following kinds:
- Highlighted text promotions.
- Banner ads.
- Push notifications.
- Pop-up windows.
- Browser redirection adverts.
- Ad-supported results that appear when you search for something.
These ads may appear on your Mac because WebApplookup may modify Chrome, Safari and Firefox browsers to change the default search, new tab and home pages of them. It may also enable other sites to push you notifications. This is very typical for adware and browser hijackers and we have seen a recent wave of those types of threats on Mac. Other Mac adware we have recently seeen in the wild includes ServiceRecords, OperativeUnit and AthenaSearch.
Apps, like WebApplookup may end up on your Mac as a result of them being bundled along the setups of other freeware downloaded from the web. Such freeware often ends up being media players, file conversion apps, image and photo editors and others. The way it works is for WebApplookup to be advertised as a free bonus app in the installer of the free app downloaded in question.
The WebApplookup and the ads it shows may be dangerous for your Mac in several different ways. One of them could be the tons of cookies, tags, pixels and other trackers that may be used by the sites that are advertised or by WebApplookup itself. These may be used to track your online behavior and they may stay on your Mac even after you have removed the software. They can be utilized to snoop the following information:
- Any online clicks made.
- Your last visited web pages.
- Websites you have bookmarked.
- Your personal browsing history.
But the main risk that is related to this software is that the ads it may push on your computer may lead you to very risky websites. These sites could even turn out to be malware. The following risky domains can appear if you leave WebApplookup on your Mac for longer periods of time:
- Malicious URLs, containing malware.
- Tech Support scams
- Phishing pages designed to steal your personal details.
- Scam websites or pages.
- Fake surveys.
This is the main reason to consider removing WebApplookup from your Mac as soon as you can.
Remove WebApplookup from Your Mac
WebApplookup could be a bit tricky to remove because of the extent of modifications it does on your browsers and the trackers it may leave behind. This is why we strongly suggest that you get rid of this app preferably by following the guide for removal below. It has the steps that can help detect and delete this app from your web browsers and macOS. For the most effective removal, recommendations are to scan your Mac using an advanced anti-malware. Such a software will make sure to detect and remove all nasty files and objects and protect your Mac 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 WebApplookup files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as WebApplookup, 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 WebApplookup 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 WebApplookup:
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 WebApplookup. 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 WebApplookup. 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 WebApplookup 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 WebApplookup. 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 WebApplookup – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
WebApplookup-FAQ
What is WebApplookup on your Mac?
The WebApplookup 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 WebApplookup?
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 WebApplookup?
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 WebApplookup Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this WebApplookup 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 WebApplookup?
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 WebApplookup threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.