What Is ForceGuide Mac
ForceGuide is the name of an adware application that could appear on your Mac and begin to modify the settings of your web browser with the primary purpose to cause multiple kinds of adware activities on it. The main issue this may cause for it is it could lead to risky domains due to the important detail that most of the ads are shown purely to make money without caring to which sites they will take you.
Read this article if you want to learn more information concerning ForceGuide and how to get rid of this nasty software completely from your Mac.
ForceGuide Summary
| Name | ForceGuide |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ForceGuide. |
ForceGuide – What Does It Do on Affected Macs?
ForceGuide is the type of program that is regarded as ad-supported and we do believe that judging by its name and its app icon, it has something to do with a family of adware apps, including LeastExtended, ModeService and OperativeToolView.
These apps have the main purpose to enter your Mac via suspicious tactics, like being included in a hidden installation steps of some other free app you might have recently downloaded, like a free media player, image editing app and others.
Once the ForceGuide software is in your Mac, it may begin to modify the settings of your browsers, which ultimately results in the following ads to likely begin appearing:
- Third-party transfers.
- Browser pop-ups.
- Banner promotions.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Custom search result ads.
- Highlighted text links.
Not only this, but these ads may contain multiple trackers – small files dropped on your Mac and used to obtain different information about its activity. These ads are very problematic as they may use the following tracker types – cookies, tags, pixels and others of this kind, utilised to obtain details about your browsing activity, like:
- Websites that are bookmarked.
- Pages you have visited.
- Mouse movements and clicks.
- Browsing history.
- Search history.
But tracking you is a minor concern, when it comes to ForceGuide. When compared to the real risk this app is classified as unwanted for, it is not such a big deal. The main problems the ForceGuide app may cause are leading you to risky websites, due to the ads it shows being displayed purely to make money. Such sites do include:
- Scam domains and pages.
- Multiple pay-per-click browser redirects that lead to dangerous sites.
- Rogue software or scam software download URLs.
- Scam survey pages.
- Phishing domains.
- Virus websites or malicious URLs.
- Fake tech support pages.
This is the main reason why ForceGuide is classified as risky app and should be removed from your computer.
Remove ForceGuide from Your Device
In case you want to remove ForceGuide from your Mac completely, then we have the solution for you in the form of the removal steps we have created below. Following them will help you delete this software from either your Mac or your web browsers. Furthermore, we would strongly recommend that you get rid of ForceGuide automatically from your Mac by downloading and scanning it using an advanced anti-malware software. Such a program will effectively make sure to detect and remove any malware and adware from your Mac automatically.
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 ForceGuide files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ForceGuide, 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 ForceGuide 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 ForceGuide:
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 ForceGuide. 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 ForceGuide. 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 ForceGuide 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 ForceGuide. 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 ForceGuide – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ForceGuide-FAQ
What is ForceGuide on your Mac?
The ForceGuide 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 ForceGuide?
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 ForceGuide?
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 ForceGuide Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ForceGuide 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 ForceGuide?
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 ForceGuide threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.