What Is Active Origin Mac
Active Origin is the name of an allegedly ad-supported app that may appear on Mac devices. This app’s main purpose is to appear as a useful program, while in the same time it may modify the settings of your web browsers with the main goal of getting you to visit different third-party websites via the ads it shows.
The main purpose of applications, like Active Origin Mac is to only seem like they are legitimate, but instead create numerous different types of ads so that their creators can make a profit via pay-per-click and other schemes. The primary risk that exists as a result of that is that Active Origin could display various types of ads on your Mac that may lead to risky domains because its developers usually do not car what ads exactly it is they display on your Mac. Read this article to learn how to remove Active Origin from your Mac completely.
Active Origin Summary
| Name | Active Origin |
| 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 |
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Active Origin Mac – More Information
Active Origin has been reported by security experts as a potentially unwanted application. Other apps, similar to it that we have recently seen include Expanded Rotator, Boost Console and Flexible Sector.
Active Origin may get installed on your computer as a result of being automatically included in some other software’s installation steps. It may be advertised as a “free extra” of some sort in an install step that is conveniently concealed in the “Advanced” or “Custom” install modes. And since many users tend to typically click on the “Express” install option, this is how you may have gotten Active Origin to be added to your computer.
Active Origin’s main purpose of activity is to get users to see ads of different sorts because this is how this app is monetized. This is the main reason why Active Origin could be the cause of the following kinds of ads after being added to your Mac:
- Browser pop-up ads.
- Redirect pages.
- Search result ads.
- Text highlight ads.
- Banners.
- Push notification pop-ups.
These ads may contain different tracking objects, that may stay for long periods of time on your Mac if not removed in time.
- Session Cookies.
- Tags.
- Pixel objects.
- Geo-locators.
- Flash cookies.
Such trackers could be used by these vendors to obtain various sorts of details concerning your online browsing activity:
- Which pages you visit.
- The clicks made by you.
- Your favorite sites.
- The history of your browser.
But the primary risk that is involved with this software concerns mainly the advertisements it shows. These ads often lead to third-party websites that may cause numerous types of problems for your Mac, like redirect it to dangerous sites from the likes of:
- Fraud tech support sites.
- Rogue software download pages.
- Redirect loop.
- Phishing domains and fake sites.
- Scams.
- Virus URLs.
- Fraudulent surveys.
This is the main reason why removing this software from your Mac might be a good idea.
Remove Active Origin from Your Device
To get rid of apps, like Active Origin, we have created the removal guide below. It has been made to help you remove this application and its program files from both your browsers and Mac. If you want to achieve the best results, we suggest that you perform the removal process using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program has been created with the main purpose to help you to remove apps, like Active Origin automatically by scanning for their files and objects.
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 Active Origin files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Active Origin, 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 Active Origin 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 Active Origin:
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 Active Origin. 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 Active Origin. 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 Active Origin 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 Active Origin. 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 Active Origin – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Active Origin-FAQ
What is Active Origin on your Mac?
The Active Origin 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 Active Origin?
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 Active Origin?
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 Active Origin Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Active Origin 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 Active Origin?
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 Active Origin threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.