What Is DataCharacter Mac
DataCharacter is the type of program, that may appear as if it is a helpful application for Mac, but in reality may show a lot of different advertisements for profit. The main issue with these ads is that most of them can lead to dangerous websites, some of which may take it to scam or malicious webpages as well. This is the main reason why such a program is classified as indirectly and safe and should be removed from your device immediately.
Read this article if you want to know how to remove DataCharacter completely from your Mac and clean up your web browsers as well.
DataCharacter Mac – Details
| Name | DataCharacter |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your device begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by DataCharacter
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss DataCharacter. |
DataCharacter Virus – How Did I Get Infected
DataCharacter it’s actually the type of application that is part of a very well-known family of adware for Mac, that is known as the Adload series of PUPs. These are hundreds of programs, that share likely the same code or similar one and have very similar names as well, for example the recently detected following apps:
DataCharacter may be installed on your computer, as a result of pretending to be a fake Adobe Flash Player update that is download it from a website that may have arrived in your computer system as a result of a browser redirection from some type of a suspicious webpage, that looks somewhat like the example below shows:
Another way these programs of another phone devices via software bundling. If this is the case, then it is very likely that DataCharacter they pretend to be a free extra or a free offer one of the installation steps of another free program that you may have downloaded and installed:
DataCharacter Mac – What Does It Do?
Once DataCharacter is already up and running on your Mac, it may start to alter a lot of the settings of your web browsers. The main outcome of this activity is that you could have your default webpage changed and you could have a new browser extensions and other such information added. The main result of this is that you may begin seeing the following advertisements on your Mac:
- Redirects.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Intrusive push notifications.
Many of these ads include different forms of tracking technologies:
These trackers our small objects, like cookies, pixels, tags and others of these kinds that are often used to get different kinds of information about your browsing actions, like the following details:
- Your bookmarked websites.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- What searches you have made.
- Your mouse clicks.
Is DataCharacter a Virus?
No, DataCharacter is not a virus, it is reported to be an adware app. The main problems it can cost for your computer is that it could lead to many viruses and scams and threats like the following as a result of heavy advertising of third-party websites:
- 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 our main recommendation is that you remove this indirectly risky application from your Mac as soon as you notice it.
How to Remove DataCharacter from Mac?
DataCharacter can be deleted from your Mac if you follow the removal guide below. It has been made primarily to assist you into getting rid of this nasty application either by yourself or automatically. For the most effective removal, we would suggest the same as any expert would advise you and that is to do the removal process automatically using a professional anti-malware for Mac. Such a program is designed with the primary purpose to make sure to detect and remove any viruses, trackers and adware applications from your Mac thoroughly.
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 DataCharacter files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DataCharacter, 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 DataCharacter 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 DataCharacter:
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 DataCharacter. 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 DataCharacter. 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 DataCharacter 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 DataCharacter. 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 DataCharacter – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
DataCharacter-FAQ
What is DataCharacter on your Mac?
The DataCharacter 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 DataCharacter?
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 DataCharacter?
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 DataCharacter Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DataCharacter 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 DataCharacter?
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 DataCharacter threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.