What is Explore Parameter Mac?
Explore Parameter Mac is an application that can be seen on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and other often used browsers on your Mac.
A lot of people have started to complain when it comes to an app, called Explore Parameter. Explore Parameter is an app that can be added on your Mac and may begin to change the settings in it. The main goal behind this activity is to obtain control over your Mac and eventually get users to see changed settings on their browsers. These settings allow Explore Parameter Mac to reveal multiple different types of ads that may sometimes lead you to websites that are not always safe. This is the main reason why we strongly recommend that you focus on removing ExploreParameter from your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | Explore Parameter |
| Type | Browser Hijacker for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Explore Parameter Hijacks your browser in order to display all sorts of ads. |
| Symptoms | Explore Paremeter aims to show banners, redirects, pop-ups and other forms of advertisements. |
| Distribution Method | Explore Paremeter can be spread via software bundling or by being downloaded from the web. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Explore Parameter. |
Explore Paremeter Mac – More Information
There are different types of redirects for Mac and these adware apps all tend to spread via different methods. According to most recent information, apps from the types of Explore Parameter are usually hidden in other often downloaded apps:
- Handy software program (for Windows).
- Reroute manuscripts on a toolbar or a web page you might go to.
- Malware, hidden on your computer. (like a Trojan.Clicker).
- Browser extensions.
- Applications (for Mac).
But bear in mind that the most often used ways via which these programs tend to end up on your Mac are two main methods. These methods of replication could be the following:
- If you end up downloading Explore Paremeter to your Mac by going to a website, that is advertising them as a valuable program that is free.
- If you install another app and Explore Parameter is promoted within its installation, advertised as a “free” or “optional” offer.
As soon as it is added to your computer, Explore Parameter does not limit itself to only affecting your mac. The primary idea of the app is your online activity as a whole. And by online activity, we mean mainly what you do on your web browser. Among the most usually downloaded web browsers are targeted by mac adware, like Explore Parameter:
- Google Chrome.
- Opera.
- Internet Explorer.
- Safari.
- Microsoft Edge.
- Mozilla Firefox.
In multiple scenarios, the Explore Parameter redirect for Mac may act like a browsing app itself, so that it could also inject ads in the background of your Mac, just like a virus would do. Such a scenario is used when Chromium browsers or fake browsers that use the Chromium source code often are misused by hackers for scam purposes.
Explore Parameter may not just change the settings and pages of your web browsers. It could also affect your Mac’s repositories and in addition to that create different types of changes in them. The primary idea is that even if you begin to delete the files of Explore Parameter, the main outcome of this may be that the app may have hidden and leftover files, which may still trigger ads to appear on your Mac.
Explore Parameter may show different types of advertisements that are not only limited to redirects. The types of ads may be the following:
- Web banners.
- Ad-supported search results page, presented by a scam online search engine.
- Push notices.
- Pop-ups.
- Highlighted message ads.
Explore Parameter may begin to use tracking technologies via the pages it may set as a new tab and home page on your Mac. The types of trackers it may use are the following:
- Pixels.
- LSOs (Locally Shared Objects).
- Tags.
- Geo-locators.
- Cookies.
The ads that are shown by Explore Parameter may not be directly dangerous to your Mac. However, be advised that Explore Parameter can show ads that may lead you to risky websites. Such risks can be the following:
- Your Mac may be lead to fake tech support pages that may lead to the download to rogue software by lying to you that your Mac or PC is infected.
- You could receive redirect to a page that is fake version of a big site and may ask you to accept a DHL, PayPal or Dropbox account and as a result have your username and password taken.
- You could visit harmful URLs that may lead to Miners, Trojans, Rootkits or even Ransomware viruses.
Remove Explore Parameter from Your Mac
Explore Parameter can be removed via several different methods. one of those is to make sure to follow the steps for removal underneath. These steps are made so that you can attempt to locate and do the removal of this virus in an effective order. Furthermore, for advanced removal, experts strongly recommend that you download and run a scan of your computer, using an advanced malware removal software. Such app is specifically designed to help you remove apps like Explore Parameter and protect your computer against any possible threats, like Explore Parameter in the future too.
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 Explore Parameter files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Explore Parameter, 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 Explore Parameter 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 Explore Parameter:
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 Explore Parameter. 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 Explore Parameter. 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 Explore Parameter 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 Explore Parameter. 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 Explore Parameter – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Explore Parameter-FAQ
What is Explore Parameter on your Mac?
The Explore Parameter 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 Explore Parameter?
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 Explore Parameter?
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 Explore Parameter Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Explore Parameter 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 Explore Parameter?
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 Explore Parameter threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.