What Is FindBooster for Mac?
FindBooster is the kind of application that has been set up with the main idea to appear like a legitimate search engine suddenly appearing on your browser to improve the way you search in some way. Truth is, most of these apps are regarded as PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and are created mainly to modify the settings of your web browsers and show multiple forms of ads. The main issue this may cause for your Mac besides slowing it down due to the sheer number of ads appearing is it could also lead you to some very nasty websites because of these ads. Such sites very often turn out to be either scams or malware URLs that may cause a lot of trouble.
Read this article to learn how to remove apps, like FindBooster from your Mac completely.
FindBooster Summary
| Name | FindBooster |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 FindBooster
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss FindBooster. |
FindBooster Mac Redirect Activity Report
FindBooster is the type of program that may be added to your Mac via different means, such as:
- By being automatically bundled.
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up to include it.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have on your Mac.
These programs are classified as PUPs or potentially unwanted programs for Mac. Others, like FindBooster include Patext, PublicToolboxLookup and LaunchEntry, which leads us to believe that they may be created by the same adware developer.
- Which pages you have visited.
- Sites that you have bookmarked on your computer.
- The history of your web browser.
- Where you click online and your mouse movement.
These trackers are a problem, but they are not the biggest one when it comes to FindBooster. There are some other issues that may also exist when it comes to this app and these problems include the following kinds of ads that this program may show:
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Ad-supported results when you search something.
- Pop-up ads.
- Redirect adverts.
- Text ads, highlgihted on the sites you visit.
- Banner ads.
Since this promoted content is specifically designed for profit, there is no telling to which sites it may lead you to. This means that, like most adware apps, this one may also show you ads that may redirect to dangerous sites, like:
- Fake software download URLs.
- Phishing domains.
- Scammer websites.
- Domains that may have viruses.
- Fraudulent tech support scams.
- Redirect loop schemes of long URLs.
- Fake survey scams.
This is the main reason why FindBooster is considered dangerous and should be removed from your Mac as soon as possible.
Remove FindBooster from Your Device
If you are gunning for removing FindBooster completely from your Mac, then we would strongly suggest that you follow the removal instructions that have been posted underneath this article. These steps have been created with the main idea to best assist in deleting this software from both your Mac and the browsers that have been installed in it. Furthermore, for removal with the most effectiveness, we strongly advise that you download and scan your Mac automatically using anti-malware. This is a professional program, designed to best assist in detecting and removing any malware, adware and trackers that have been set up on your Mac.
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 FindBooster files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as FindBooster, 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 FindBooster 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 FindBooster:
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 FindBooster. 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 FindBooster. 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 FindBooster 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 FindBooster. 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 FindBooster – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
FindBooster-FAQ
What is FindBooster on your Mac?
The FindBooster 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 FindBooster?
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 FindBooster?
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 FindBooster Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this FindBooster 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 FindBooster?
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 FindBooster threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.