What Is ExploreSync Mac?
ExploreSync is an adware application that may be installed on your Mac without your approval or knowledge. These apps are most commonly created with the main purpose to show multiple types of ads on your computer after affecting its web browsers. The ads that are displayed by applications from the likes of ExploreSync could lead to different questionable websites that may sometimes turn out to be even scams or malicious domains. This is why, recommendations by experts are to remove these kinds of adware apps as soon as you notice them.
Read this article to learn how to remove ExploreSync adware from your Mac completely.
ExploreSync Summary
| Name | ExploreSync |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP for Mac |
| 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 |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by ExploreSync
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ExploreSync. |
ExploreSync – Further Information
ExploreSync is similar to other ad-supported software, like FunctionLogInput, LaunchenTry and SimpleSignSearch.
The main objective of this program is to show a number of different ads after having modified the key settings of your web browser and likely changed its new tab, home and other pages.
- Browser pop-ups.
- Redirects and transfers to third-party sites.
- Ads appearing instead of search results.
- Text-embedded advertisements.
- Banner adverts.
- Push notifications promotions.
ExploreSync could be installed on your Mac by being bundled to the installers of other free programs, like media players, browser extensions, file converters, image editors and other.
After it is added to your macOS, it may run different ads and lead to third-party sites. These sites may often track what you do online via so-called trackers. Some of them often end up being:
- Cookies.
- Geo-location trackers.
- Tags.
- Pixels.
- LSOs (Locally Shared Objects, also known as flash cookies).
These are small objects that are dropped on your computer and may be tricky to remove. They could stay years of time if not properly deleted and can be used to snoop the following information concerning your online activity:
- Pages visited.
- Your clicks made online.
- Bookmarked sites.
- Browser history.
But these trackers are the least of your worries when it comes to this software. ExploreSync may lead you to questionable sites because of the ads it shows:
- Phishing or “Fake” sites.
- Rogue software download frauds.
- Scamming sites.
- Virus domains.
- Tech support scams.
- Endless redirect loop schemes.
- Scam surveys.
These dangerous domains are what makes apps, like ExploreSync indirectly dangerous for your Mac.
Remove ExploreSync from Your Mac
ExploreSync can be deleted from your macOS via several different methods. One of them is if you follow either the manual or automatic removal guides below. They are created to best help you delete this nasty software and its files from your Mac and web browsers. For extended removal, it is often a good practice according to experts to download and run a scan of your computer using advanced anti-malware software. This software will make sure to scan your computer system and detect and delete any malware that is located in 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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Preparation Phase:
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.
Step 1: Uninstall ExploreSync 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:
- 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 ExploreSync 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:
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 2: Remove ExploreSync – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Step 3: Scan for and remove ExploreSync files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ExploreSync, 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.
ExploreSync FAQ
What is ExploreSync on your Mac?
The ExploreSync 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 siginficantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your Mac to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your MacOS.
Can my Mac get a virus?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get viruses. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that the following Apple devices can become infected with a virus:
- iMac
- Mac Mini
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- iPhone
- iPad
What are the symptoms of ExploreSync on your Mac?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also most Mac threats in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your Mac may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Mac's Activity Monitor.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your Mac for viruses.
What types of Mac threats are there?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently infect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware and hijackers.
- Trojan horses and other spyware.
- Ransomware and screen-lockers.
- Cryptocurrency miner malware.
What to do if I have a Mac virus, like ExploreSync?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One reccomended 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, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps plus take care of them quickly. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to secure my passwords and other data from ExploreSync?
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 website, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
