What Is Video Explorer Mac
Video Explorer is the name of ad-supported software that may appear on macOS devices. The main idea of such programs is to display multiple kinds of ads on your computer, whose main goal could be to make a profit from different pay-per-click schemes. The main idea of this software is to get users to see as many ads as possible and these ads may lead to multiple third-party sites, most of which are unchecked. This is why apps for Mac, like Video Explorer may lead to a lot of risky domains, like malware or scam sites and its removal is advisable.
Read this article to learn how to thoroughly get rid of Video Explorer from your Mac and web browsers.
Video Explorer Summary
| Name | Video Explorer |
| 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 computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by Video Explorer
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Video Explorer. |
Video Explorer Mac Virus – Main Activity
Video Explorer for Mac is the kind of software that is not classified as a virus, but rather an adware. Other such risky apps for Mac that have recently appeared include SearchesCenteral, Modern Browser Tools and Set Colors. These apps may all end up on your Mac through bundling technologies and other such methods. Their main goal is to appear like a “free extra” that is optionally advertised in one of the install steps of the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation modes of another software you may have downloaded from a third-party software download site. Such apps often are free media players, video converters, image editors, and others.
When the Video Explorer adware is added on your Mac, it may begin to change the options of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari browser and others. It may also change the new tab, home page and other default pages so that you see ads. This software may be responsible for the following kinds of advertisements:
- Banners.
- Redirect ads.
- Search result ads.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Pop-up ads.
- Push notification ads.
These advertisements are the main instrument that is used to monetize software, like Video Explorer as they are promoted for profit. And they are often unchecked, which means that they could be the reason for slithering multiple dangerous domains as the creators of such adware apps do not care what it is they advertise.
Video Explorer may use multiple trackers on your machine, like cookies, tags, pixels and other apps, as these trackers could be used to gather the following information:
- Web pages you have seen.
- Your mouse movements and clicks.
- Bookmarks.
- Browsing history.
The main problem, however is that these advertisements could lead to the following risk websites:
- Phishing domains.
- Scams.
- Viruses.
- Tech support scam sites.
- Rogue software download and endless redirect schemes.
- Survey frauds.
These domains are what make Video Explorer dangerous for your Mac and its removal advisable.
Remove Video Explorer from Your Mac
The Video Explorer app may prove to be tricky for removal, due to the many trackers and problems it could have already brought to your Mac. This is the main reason why our recommendation is to follow the guide below to remove this software from your browsers and your system. For removal with maximum effectiveness, scanning your Mac using professional anti-malware software is the advice an expert would give you. The main reason for that is such software could detect any other malware, adware, and trackers and make sure your Mac is completely virus-free.
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.
Follow Me:
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 Video Explorer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Video Explorer, 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 Video Explorer 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 Video Explorer:
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 Video Explorer. 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 Video Explorer. 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 Video Explorer 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 Video Explorer. 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 Video Explorer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Video Explorer-FAQ
What is Video Explorer on your Mac?
The Video Explorer 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 Video Explorer?
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 Video Explorer?
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 Video Explorer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Video Explorer 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 Video Explorer?
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 Video Explorer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.