What Is Chrome Extensions
Chrome Extensions (PUP.MacOS.Chrome Extensions) also known as is a detection name of a so-called Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) for Mac. These series of extensions may be created with the main goal of heavily modifying your Google Chrome web browser so that you can start seeing paid ads on your Mac. These ads may often be unchecked and could lead to different kinds of problems for your Mac, including leading you to risky websites, like scams or even malware. This is the main reason why Chrome Extensions should be removed from your Mac.
Read this article if you want to learn how you can remove Chrome Extensions from your Mac and Google Chrome.
Chrome Extensions Summary
Name | Chrome Extensions, also known PUP.MacOS.Chrome Extensions. |
Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP |
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 Chrome Extensions
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Chrome Extensions. |
Chrome Extensions – What Does It Do
Chrome Extensions adware may not be just one extension for Mac, but may be a series of different ad-supported software for Mac, from the likes of MapsWorldSearch, Skilled Marketing and Search Baron.
The main problem with Chrome Extensions is they could be related to a number of advertisements that may begin appearing on your Mac as soon as they modify your web browser. The ads that may be shown could be different kinds, for example:
- Highlighted text ads.
- Banners.
- Push notification ads.
- Pop-up ads.
- Redirect ads.
- Search result ads.
The main way apps, like these ones, enter your Chrome browser and your Mac is known as bundling. The Chrome Extensions may be advertised as a useful add-on to your browser somewhere in the install steps of some other freeware app you could have gotten from some third-party software download sites.
The Chrome Extensions app may include different types of trackers that are essentially small files dropped on your Mac. These trackers include pixels, tags, cookies, and other objects and they may remain for years of time if not removed properly. They may be used to get different information concerning what it is you do while you are on your browser and this is likely done to target you with specific ads:
- Web pages you have seen.
- Bookmarks.
- Browsing history.
- Your mouse movements and clicks.
The Chrome Extensions apps are the kind of software that are made to show you paid ads. These ads often end up being risky as they cannot be verified in any way. The main problem with them is they could lead to the following dangerous domains:
- Rogue software download and endless redirect schemes.
- Survey frauds.
- Scams.
- Phishing domains.
- Viruses.
- Tech support scam sites.
This is the main reason why Chrome Extensions is classified as potentially unwanted and should be removed from your Mac.
Remove Chrome Extensions from Your Device
The Chrome Extensions adware may be removed from your Mac if you follow the removal guide which we have posted underneath this article. It has been created with the primary idea to help you delete this adware from both your Google Chrome browser and your Mac altogether. The mainly recommended method for removal is to do it automatically using anti-malware for Mac. Such a software has been designed to help detect and remove any malware, adware and tracker files from your device.
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 Chrome Extensions files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Chrome Extensions, 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 Chrome Extensions 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 Chrome Extensions:
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 Chrome Extensions. 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 Chrome Extensions. 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 Chrome Extensions 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 Chrome Extensions. 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 Chrome Extensions – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Chrome Extensions-FAQ
What is Chrome Extensions on your Mac?
The Chrome Extensions 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 Chrome Extensions?
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 Chrome Extensions?
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 Chrome Extensions Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Chrome Extensions 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 Chrome Extensions?
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 Chrome Extensions threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.