What Is ElementForce Mac
ElementForce is yet another ad-supported application, which has been designed from the ground up to slither ads on your Mac for profit. The main problem with software like this one is that most of the advertisements that are shown may take it to absolutely all kinds of third-party advertisement sites and this may be risky because these websites may sometimes turn out to be even scams or malware.
Read this article to learn more about how this program got in your Mac in the first place and what you can do to remove this app from your browsers and your macOS.
ElementForce Mac – Details
| Name | |
| Type | Malware / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software download and display different unwanted contents. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down of your machine. Auto download of other PUPs may start. |
| Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by ElementForce
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ElementForce. |
ElementForce Virus – How Did I Get Infected
ElementForce is the type of software that as well known to be a PUP which is detected as an AdLoad version. This means that this is an application that is very similar to hundreds of others that have the same code and similar names, like the recently found SelectorComponent, ProcessorProgression and LaunchHistoryResults ones, which also belong to the same family.
ElementForce could’ve been bundled do the installation of another program in order to get in your Mac, kind of like shown in the example beneath:
Fake Adobe Flash Player update may also have been the reason why this software is running on your Mac without your authorization. This means that it could’ve been included in one of the installation steps of a free media player, file conversion app, image editing software or another freeware downloaded randomly from a low reputation website:
ElementForce Mac – What Does It Do?
ElementForce may initially begin to change a lot of different settings of your Mac and the web browsers that it uses. This settings main clued adding browser extensions, plug-ins, and changing details, like the homepage, the new tab page and the default search. All of these results in the following kinds of advertisements to begin showing up on your Mac without your consent:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive push notifications.
The problem is not the advertisement themselves, but the websites they may lead you to. A lot of them may contain different kinds of cookies, tags and other forms of tracker objects:
These trackers are basically small objects that are left on your Mac and may stay there for years of time. This is not good for your device, because they may be utilized to get information about your browsing activity, like:
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is ElementForce a Virus?
ElementForce is not a virus, but rather an adware app. However, it could prove just as risky for your macOS, because the advertisements it shows may take you to very problematic websites, for example:
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing 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 it is strongly advisable for you to remove this indirectly risky software from your Mac if you spot it.
How to Remove ElementForce from Mac?
To delete ElementForce and apps, like it, how do you suggest following the removal guy underneath. It has been created to contain the information it takes to get rid of the software manually if you have the experience and the time or automatically if you want a quick and recommended solution. Scan your computer using a professional anti-malware software is strongly advised by experts, because such a tool has the capability of thoroughly checking your macOS and getting rid of any malicious applications or files that can harm 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 ElementForce files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ElementForce, 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 ElementForce 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 ElementForce:
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 ElementForce. 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 ElementForce. 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 ElementForce 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 ElementForce. 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 ElementForce – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ElementForce-FAQ
What is ElementForce on your Mac?
The ElementForce 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 ElementForce?
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 ElementForce?
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 ElementForce Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ElementForce 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 ElementForce?
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 ElementForce threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.