What Is BackService Mac?
BackService is the name of a suspicious process that may belong to an ad-supported, potentially unwanted application that targets macOS users. The app can change the settings of your web browsers, so that it can display different advertisements. Many of these ads may lead to dangerous locations, like scams or even pages deployed for malware distribution.
If you suspect you have been affected by BackService, follow the removal guide below and get rid of this unwanted software immediately, as it poses an indirect threat to your Mac and web browsers.
BackService Mac – Details
| Name | BackService a.k.a. BackService.app |
| Type | Malware / PUP / Auto-Download / Redirect for Mac |
| Removal Time | Less than 15 minutes |
| Removal Tool |
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Why Do I See BackService?
BackService is the name of a process, that may be a PUP. It could be tied to a legitimate software, called DiskDrill and is one of the best data recovery software in the world.
However, users on Apple Discussions have reported to experience problems with it even without having DiskDrill, suggesting that it might be a fake process.
BackService.app Virus – How Did I Get Infected?
BackService may have used methods, like bundling to end up on your Mac without you realizing it. It means that it could have been included in the installation package of another free application, recently downloaded from the web.
Fake Adobe Flash Player updates are also among the reasons this program may have been added to your machine.
BackService Mac – What Does It Do?
BackService may begin to change different kinds of details on your web browser. These details may include the homepage, new tab page, added browser extensions and plugins and other such.
The main process of this application appears, like the following:
BackService may also add various kinds of cookies and other tracking technologies:
The main result of this is that you may begin to have the following information taken from your browser:
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is BackService.app a Virus?
No, BackService is NOT a virus, but an adware or a fake process, imitating DiskDrill for macOS.
It could be just as dangerous as a virus, because many of the advertisements that it shows in your device can lead to risky locations on the web, such as:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
This is why such a software causes an indirect threat to your Mac and should be removed from it.
What to Do If I See backservice.app on My Mac?
If you see the BackService Virus on your Mac, the first step is to run a full system scan with updated and reliable anti-malware software. This will detect and remove any malicious files or programs that may have been installed on your computer. Once the scan is complete, you should also try to manually remove any suspicious files that you may have noticed.
The main location of the app is the following:
Library/StagedExtensions/Library/Application Support/CleverFiles
Once the virus has been removed, you should also clear your browser’s cache and history, as well as your system’s temporary files. Finally, you should update your Mac’s system and applications to the latest version, as well as run regular scans to ensure that the virus does not return.
How to Remove BackService from Mac?
BackService can be effectively uninstalled from your computer by running an anti-malware program. Manual steps are also available. However, note that they require a level of technical expertise.
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 BackService files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as BackService, 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 BackService 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 BackService:
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 BackService. 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 BackService. 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 BackService 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 BackService. 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 BackService – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
BackService-FAQ
What is BackService on your Mac?
The BackService 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 BackService?
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 BackService?
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 BackService Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this BackService 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 BackService?
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 BackService threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.