What Is FreshPlatform?
FreshPlatform is categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) specifically designed for Mac systems. It has the capability to install itself on your Mac without your knowledge, leading to various negative consequences such as intrusive advertisements, modifications to web browser settings, and the collection of user data. This particular program is often referred to as both a “Mac virus” and adware.
What Is Adware?
Adware programs have become increasingly common and generate revenue by displaying ads on web browsers or user devices. FreshPlatform is one such adware program that primarily affects Mac users. It’s important to note that these programs are sometimes mistakenly identified as “viruses” even though they do not cause actual harm.
FreshPlatform – Summary
| Name | FreshPlatform.com |
| Type | Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Download / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to trigger third-party software downloads and display unwanted contents and ads. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac starts showing various types of content, some of which may be malicious, resulting in performance slowdown. Auto-download of other PUPs may begin. |
| Distribution Method | Through email software, fake updates, bundled downloads, and web pages that may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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Why Is FreshPlatform Present on My Mac?
It is essential to exercise caution when encountering FreshPlatform, as it may be unintentionally installed on Mac computers. If left unattended, it can significantly slow down system performance and should be promptly removed.
FreshPlatform Virus – How Did I Get Infected?
To safeguard your computer from the FreshPlatform Virus, which can be acquired through malicious websites, software bundling, malvertising, scareware websites, email attachments, and other methods, it is crucial to take necessary precautions. Ignoring these precautions can lead to significant damage to your device.
FreshPlatform Mac – What Does It Do?
FreshPlatform can insert toolbars, advertisements, and other elements into your web browser, resulting in decreased speed and performance of your Mac. In order to maximize ad views, FreshPlatform modifies your home page, new tab, and default search engine.
As a result, you may encounter the following types of ads:
- Highlighted text on visited pages.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects to other websites.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Modified search results displaying ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive and push notifications.
This application may utilize cookies and other tracking tools to gather various data points, including personally identifiable information.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Mouse movements.
- Browsing history from your browser.
- Searches you have made.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- Websites you have visited.
- Mouse clicks.
- Various personally identifiable information you may input.
Is FreshPlatform a Mac Virus?
FreshPlatform adware is not classified as a Mac virus, even though it may be installed on your machine without your consent. This type of potentially unwanted program can pose risks to your Mac but is not inherently malicious.
Can It Be Dangerous?
FreshPlatform’s Mac adware can be a significant issue if unknowingly downloaded or installed against someone’s wishes, as it can monitor user activities, collect personal data, and potentially install harmful applications. Additionally, this adware may direct users to websites without HTTPS or SSL encryption, which can be highly risky. The following risks may manifest as a result of malware infection:
- Fraudulent survey sites.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs containing a virus infection file or script.
- Websites with scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites through multiple pay-per-click redirects.
How to Protect Your Mac from FreshPlatform?
Follow these recommendations to enhance your defense against malicious software like FreshPlatform:
- Ensure complete removal of FreshPlatform using professional software.
- Change all your passwords from a secure device.
- Enable two-factor authentication for logins.
- Contact your bank to update all credit card information if you use your Mac for online payments.
- Change your Wi-Fi password.
- Install a reputable anti-malware protection app on all your devices.
- Avoid downloading apps from unknown sources.
How to Remove FreshPlatform from Mac?
To eliminate FreshPlatform adware from your Mac, install an anti-malware program. Additionally, staying up-to-date with system software and applications, avoiding suspicious links, and using strong passwords can reduce the risk of encountering malicious software.
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 FreshPlatform files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as FreshPlatform, 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 FreshPlatform 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 FreshPlatform:
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 FreshPlatform. 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 FreshPlatform. 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 FreshPlatform 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 FreshPlatform. 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 FreshPlatform – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
FreshPlatform-FAQ
What is FreshPlatform on your Mac?
The FreshPlatform 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 FreshPlatform?
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 FreshPlatform?
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 FreshPlatform Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this FreshPlatform 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 FreshPlatform?
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 FreshPlatform threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.