What Is DefaultExplorer Mac
The DefaultExplorer program is an app that has been reported to affect Mac devices. This app is outlined as an indirectly dangerous software that may cause your Mac to perform slower than usual. Such apps aim to attack your web browsers and cause a lot of different ads on them. These advertisements have been created with the main reason to make the developers of DefaultExplorer money by getting more people to visit these ads. But the ads themselves may not only lead to legitimate sites as some of the pages advertised could be dangerous to your Mac.
This is why we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions posted underneath this article. They have been created with the main reason to help you remove DefaultExplorer from both your Mac and browsers.
DefaultExplorer Summary
| Name | DefaultExplorer |
| 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 Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by DefaultExplorer
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss DefaultExplorer. |
DefaultExplorer – More Information
DefaultExplorer is a browser hijacker application. Its main purpose is to show ads on your Mac. Other software, like it is SilverSparrow adware, AthenaSearch and GeneralSection.
DefaultExplorer can end up on your Mac by being automatically added to it via hitchhiking the installers of other software. This technique is known as software bundling and its main purpose is to have apps, like DefaultExplorer added as “free extra” to the setup of another freeware you may have recently installed.
Once DefaultExplorer is added to your Mac, this program could begin to display the following types of ads:
- Ad-supported search results.
- Highlighted text adverts.
- Banners.
- Pop-up ads.
- Browser redirections.
- Push notifications.
DefaultExplorer could also use different trackers to determine different information about your online activities. Such information could be the following:
- Bookmarks you set up.
- The visited sites.
- The Clicks you made.
- Browsing history.
But tracking you via cookies and other objects may not be the main problem with DefaultExplorer. This program’s primary danger is to cause different redirects to websites that may be problematic. Such can end up being:
- Phishing websites.
- Scam sites.
- Virus URLs or malware pages.
- Tech Support scams.
- Fake survey frauds.
DefaultExplorer can be indirectly dangerous for your Mac, exactly because of these sites and this is why removing it is a recommended idea.
Remove DefaultExplorer from Your Mac
DefaultExplorer can be removed from your Mac if you follow the removal guide that has been posted underneath. It is made to help delete DefaultExplorer either automatically or manually. For the best removal, experts recommend removing DefaultExplorer from your Mac by using an advanced anti-malware. Such a professional software has been created to scan your Mac and make sure that each of the cookies and virus files is gone from it.
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 DefaultExplorer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as DefaultExplorer, 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 DefaultExplorer 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 DefaultExplorer:
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 DefaultExplorer. 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 DefaultExplorer. 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 DefaultExplorer 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 DefaultExplorer. 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 DefaultExplorer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
DefaultExplorer-FAQ
What is DefaultExplorer on your Mac?
The DefaultExplorer 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 DefaultExplorer?
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 DefaultExplorer?
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 DefaultExplorer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this DefaultExplorer 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 DefaultExplorer?
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 DefaultExplorer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.