What Is ConnectionFormat Adware
ConnectionFormat adware is the name of an ad-supported application, whose main goal is to slither in your MAc and aims to get added to your Mac via shady websites or other types of methods and the main purpose of it seems to be to show enormous amount of ads on your Mac and then extract data from it. The ConnectionFormat adware may be classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) because the ads it may show could not only slow your Mac down, but also lead to websites that may be dangerous.
Read this article if you want to learn how you can remove ConnectionFormat from your Mac completely.
Threat Summary
| Name | ConnectionFormat |
| Type | PUA for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to change your web browser settings and deliver all sorts of ads on your Mac that may lead to dangerous websites. |
| Symptoms | Pop-ups, banners, browser redirects, changed home and new tab page of your Safari, Chrome, Opera and Firefox browsers. |
| Distribution Method | By being advertised on suspicious pages or being bundled with third-party installers. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ConnectionFormat. |
ConnectionFormat Adware Mac – Further Information
The main strategy that could be used in order to distribute ConnectionFormat adware could spread it via different types of strategies. One of those is believed to be a redirection that may advertise this app as a legit browser extension or useful app fo some sort that can help improve your browsing process in one or more ways.
These types of redirects often occur if you visit a website with a low reputation without an ad blocker or ad protection or even if you have some adware already installed in your Mac. Furthermore, be advised that the app may also come on your computer via another distribution method, known as software bundling. This type of distribution is characterized by adding the install files of ConnectionFormat adware to your Mac by including the app to other free software installers, such as free torrent clients, converters and so on. Also, keep in mind that it is very easy to miss ConnectionFormat Adware in those installers, mainly because the app may be concealed as “free extra” or “optional offer” somewhere in the Custom or Advanced install steps of such third-party app installers.
Once ConnectionFormat Adware is added to your Mac, it may begin to perform different activities, starting with changing the settings of your web browser. It could change your home page, new tab web page, and other settings to show another default website that may imitate your default search engine.
The main idea of ConnectionFormat is to show ads while on your computer. The main ads that could be displayed by this type of adware are the following:
- Pop-ups.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Banners.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Browser Redirects.
The ads that may be shown by ConnectionFormat could lead you to various types of dangerous sites, some of which may either be viruses or scams.
Remove ConnectionFormat from Your Mac
If you want to get rid of ConnectionFormat from your computer completely, then we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions that are posted below. They have been created with the main idea to show you how to get rid of this nasty app step by step plus stop it from coming back. For maximum effectiveness, we suggest you use advanced malware remediation software. Downloading and scanning your Mac with such app guarantees that all unwanted software is completely removed and your Mac is protected against such viruses 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 ConnectionFormat files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ConnectionFormat, 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 ConnectionFormat 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 ConnectionFormat:
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 ConnectionFormat. 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 ConnectionFormat. 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 ConnectionFormat 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 ConnectionFormat. 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 ConnectionFormat – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ConnectionFormat-FAQ
What is ConnectionFormat on your Mac?
The ConnectionFormat 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 ConnectionFormat?
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 ConnectionFormat?
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 ConnectionFormat Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ConnectionFormat 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 ConnectionFormat?
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 ConnectionFormat threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.