What Is AthenaSearch Mac
AthenaSearch is the name of an unwanted program that may appear on multiple Macs. The main purpose of this program is to show as many ads as possible while active on your Mac. This is done with the primary purpose to make a profit at the victim’s expense. Such applications often do not care what types of ads they show on your Mac and this is the main reason why they are considered an indirect risk. The ads that may be shown by AthenaSearch could lead to dangerous websites with time and this is the reason its removal is strongly recommended.
Read this article to learn how you can remove AthenaSearch completely from your Mac and try to protect your device in the future, too.
AthenaSearch Summary
| Name | AthenaSearch |
| 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 Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by AthenaSearch
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AthenaSearch. |
AthenaSearch – More Information
AthenaSearch is not the only program for Mac of this type. Other programs which we believe are made by the same people include StandardProduct, AnalyzerWindow and RecordMapper.
AthenaSearch may enter your Mac by being added automatically to it in the form of software bundling. This means that its installation files may be included to the installation of another free application you may have recently added, such as free converters, YouTube download apps, document readers or other similar software.
AthenaSearch may use different trackers to determine information about your online browsing activities. Such trackers include:
- Pixels.
- Geo-location units.
- Tags.
- Cookies.
- Locally Shared Objects. (or Flash Cookies).
Once already on your computer, AthenaSearch could begin to perform different types of software modifications to it. The main idea of AthenaSearch is to do change your browser settings and change the default home and new tab pages of Safari, Firefox, Chrome and other web browsers.
The tracking technologies that are used by this software can be utilized to determine the following details about you:
- Browsing history.
- Clicks.
- Bookmarks.
- Search history.
This is used to slither more targeted ads to you so that it is more likely that you will click on these promotions. The ads that may be seen as a result of having AthenaSearch on your Mac could be of the following types:
- Ad-supported search results.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Banners.
- Pop-up ads.
- Browser redirects.
- Push notifications.
With time, some of ads may ultimately lead to very dangerous websites, like the following:
- Phishing sites.
- Scam sites.
- Redirects to virus links.
- Fraud Tech Support pages.
- Scam surveys.
This is the main reason why removing AthenaSearch from your Mac may not be such a bad idea after all.
Remove AthenaSearch from Your Mac
In order to delete AthenaSearch PUP from macOS, please follow the removal instructions down below. They are made to help you get rid of AthenaSearch from both your browser and Mac. The AthenaSearch software can be most effectively deleted if you download and scan your Mac with an advanced anti-malware software. Such software will make sure that all the files of AthenaSearch are fully gone from your Mac and it is protected 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 AthenaSearch files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AthenaSearch, 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 AthenaSearch 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 AthenaSearch:
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 AthenaSearch. 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 AthenaSearch. 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 AthenaSearch 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 AthenaSearch. 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 AthenaSearch – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AthenaSearch-FAQ
What is AthenaSearch on your Mac?
The AthenaSearch 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 AthenaSearch?
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 AthenaSearch?
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 AthenaSearch Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AthenaSearch 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 AthenaSearch?
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 AthenaSearch threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.