What is the Expanded Service app on Mac? How to remove redirects, pop-ups and other ads, related to Expanded Service? How to remove Expanded Service virus?
Expanded Service is the name of an app that many would classify as unsafe. The main reason for that is because Expanded Service app could begin to display a lot of different ads on your computer. Some of those advertisemetns may lead to unsafe sites, making Expanded Service indirectly dangerous for your Mac. Read this article to learn how you can remove Expanded Service completely from your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | Expanded Service |
| Type | PUA for Mac OS |
| Short Description | A MacOS app that may display different types of ads with the main idea to redirect to third-party sites. |
| Symptoms | A lot of different advertisements that may start to show up on your Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Via downloads from third-party sites or via bundling. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Combo Cleaner
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Expanded Service. |
Expanded Service – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The primary method of starting to get pop-ups from expanded service is likely if you have downloaded it, while thinking it is a legitimate software that tried to help. Another form of spreading this virus app on your computer is by downloading another free software and find it somewhere in its installation steps. There, the Expanded Service app could be advertised as a “free offer” or something like this and once you accept it the Expanded Service app is installed on your Mac.
Once installed, the Expanded Service app may begin to display the following types of advertised content on your Mac:
- Browser pop-ups.
- Redirects and transfers to other sites.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Push notifications ads.
Once the Expanded Service app shows these ads to you, your Mac could end up being exposed to various different types of sites. Such sites could end up being risky in different ways, such as:
- Infect your computer with Trojans, Ransomware and other Mac malware.
- Redirect you to scam pages that will lock your browser and threaten you that you must call tech support since your Mac is infected by a virus.
- Make you download rogue software that only claims it can optimize your Mac or fix malware, but in reality aims to get you to spend money on its license.
Remove Expanded Service from Your Mac
In order to remove Expanded Service from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They contain the necessary steps that are needed for a full and effective removal of this malware. For full removal and if you want to be sure that there are no leftover files created by Expanded Services, experts strongly advise to download and run a scan of your computer by using an advanced malware removal software. Such cleaner can ensure that Expanded Service is fully removed from your Mac.
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.
Follow Me:
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 Expanded Service files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Expanded Service, 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 Expanded Service 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 Expanded Service:
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 Expanded Service. 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 Expanded Service. 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 Expanded Service 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 Expanded Service. 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 Expanded Service – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Expanded Service-FAQ
What is Expanded Service on your Mac?
The Expanded Service 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 Expanded Service?
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 Expanded Service?
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 Expanded Service Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Expanded Service 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 Expanded Service?
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 Expanded Service threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.