ExtendedTransaction Mac Adware
What is ExtendedTransaction? Why is it installed on your Mac? ExtendedTransaction is the name of an adware program that affects macOS to generate profits for its operators. The program is flagged as potentially unwanted by a sufficient number of reputable anti-malware tools. Programs like this Mac adware land on Apple Mac devices without displaying any notifying to users. Their distribution is usually supported by freeware and bogus sites. Even if ExtendedTransaction adware is not malicious, it still belongs to the Mac Viruses category of apps. Its impact on affected systems lowers their overall security.
Adware programs can sometimes be misused for the propagation of bogus ads that promote bogus/hacked websites. We recommend that you consider a thorough removal of unnecessary/harmful files right now.
ExtendedTransaction Summary
| Name | ExtendedTransaction |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable application that infiltrates macOS to hijack various settings and browsers installed on Apple Mac devices. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser may be set to display a hoax search engine. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Fake Software Updates |
| Detection Tool |
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ExtendedTransaction – How Does It Spread? What Impact Does It Cause?
ExtendedTransaction app may appear in the installed applications on your Mac without informing you. It has been categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The program affects macOS in several ways. Oftentimes, its installation files are hidden in freeware installers. So, you may unnoticeably install it while completing the installation process of a desired app. A counterfeit software update may add it on your Mac as well.
The moment this adware runs on a macOS, it searches for ways to alter specific settings that will enable it to show sponsored content on installed browsers. All installed web browsers may be affected by the unwanted program. Sometimes the presence of an adware program on the device may be noticed by certain changes applied to browsing preferences. Affected browsers may be silently configured to load a hoax search engine like Search Marquis. Legitimate search engines such as Yahoo and Bing are also known to be misused by adware apps that attempt to remain unnoticed on the infected system as long as possible.
Among the main goals of apps like ExtendedTransaction are data collection, ad generation and revenue for fraudsters. In fact, the impact caused by potentially unwanted apps increases the chances of malware attacks and data theft. Ads presented by ExtendedTransaction adware may link to poorly secured or hacked sites. While special data trackers may be dropped on the system to obtain different information about:
- Visited URLs and websites;
- Search queries;
- Browser version;
- Operating system type and version;
- Search queries on the visited web pages;
- Geographic location;
- IP address;
The operators of this undesired program may misuse harvested details to configure targeted advertising campaigns or release them on dark web markets for additional revenue.
To avoid all unpleasant issues that may come as a result of having the ExtendedTransaction on your Mac, you can navigate to the removal instructions below. They are designed to help you to get rid of potentially unwanted/harmful files.
How to Get Rid of ExtendedTransaction Mac Adware
To remove ExtendedTransaction adware from an infected macOS, you should complete several removal steps. The guide below presents you with all the steps that can help you to delete unnecessary and harmful files either manually or automatically. For maximum macOS security, we recommend that you combine the two approaches.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 ExtendedTransaction files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ExtendedTransaction, 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 ExtendedTransaction 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 ExtendedTransaction:
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 ExtendedTransaction. 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 ExtendedTransaction. 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 ExtendedTransaction 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 ExtendedTransaction. 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 ExtendedTransaction – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ExtendedTransaction-FAQ
What is ExtendedTransaction on your Mac?
The ExtendedTransaction 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 ExtendedTransaction?
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 ExtendedTransaction?
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 ExtendedTransaction Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ExtendedTransaction 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 ExtendedTransaction?
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 ExtendedTransaction threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.