What Is DataExplorer Mac
DataExplorer is a program that has been regarded as an ad-supported software that may begin appearing on your Mac without your consent. The main objective of applications from the likes of DataExplorer is to show multiple forms of ads on your Mac. These ads may begin to redirect to several sites that may be risky for your Mac, because they are only shown to make money to the developers of adware, like DataExplorer. This is often how you may end up being transferred to a scam or even malware-infested web page.
Read this article to learn what does DataExplorer do exactly and how to delete it from your Mac completely.
DataExplorer Summary
| Name | DataExplorer |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss DataExplorer. |
AccessibilityMethod Mac Redirect Activity Report
DataExplorer is an app that is extremely similar by name and behavior to other recently detected adware for Mac, known as AdminRemote, FocusLine and Mugthesec.
For starters, applications from this kind may end up on your Mac without your explicit consent or knowledge. They may use couple of strategies, including:
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up to include it.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have on your Mac.
- By being automatically bundled.
Once already on your Mac, DataExplorer may be posing as a legitimate and helpful software. In reality however, this program may heavily modify the settings of your web browser, including changing your default home page, new tab and other such web pages.
This is all done so that apps, like DataExplorer can uninterruptedly show you ads, like the following kinds:
- Ad-supported results when you search something.
- Redirect adverts.
- Text ads, highlighted on the sites you visit.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Pop-up ads.
- Banner ads.
The ads that are shown and the web pages related to the DataExplorer adware may contain a number of trackers – small files used to gather information for advertising purposes. These include geo-location trackers, pixels, tags and of course cookies and they are used to sniff out the following details concerning your browsing activity:
- The history of your web browser.
- Sites that you have bookmarked on your computer.
- Where you click online and your mouse movement.
- Which pages you have visited.
The final outcome of having this software is not only it may track you, but it could also have you being redirected to several pretty risky websites, such as:
- Fake software download URLs.
- Redirect loop schemes of long URLs.
- Fake survey scams.
- Scammer websites.
- Domains that may have viruses.
- Phishing domains.
- Fraudulent tech support scams.
This is the primary reason why not to trust software, like DataExplorer and learn how to remove it fully from your Mac.
Remove DataExplorer from Mac
If you want to fully get rid of DataExplorer from your Mac, then we would highly recommend that you follow the removal guide that has been posted down below. This guide has been created mainly to help you detect and delete any viruses from your Mac and your browser. For the removal with the best outcome, security professionals strongly recommend that you delete apps, like DataExplorer automatically by running a scan of macOS, using an advanced malware software. Such a scan will detect and remove any adware, malware, trackers and other nasty software and files that may be lurking around your device.
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 DataExplorer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DataExplorer, 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 DataExplorer 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 DataExplorer:
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 DataExplorer. 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 DataExplorer. 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 DataExplorer 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 DataExplorer. 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 DataExplorer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
DataExplorer-FAQ
What is DataExplorer on your Mac?
The DataExplorer 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 DataExplorer?
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 DataExplorer?
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 DataExplorer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DataExplorer 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 DataExplorer?
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 DataExplorer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.