What Is FunctionServer Mac
FunctionServer is the name of an application that has been regarded by cyber-security researchers to be ad-supported and unwanted. This software may get installed on your Mac and could start to show a number of different ads. These ads could begin to redirect to all kinds of sites for profit and this is what makes applications, like FunctionServer indirectly risky for your Mac. Some of those redirects could lead to dangerous domains and make it very problematic for your Mac.
Read this article to learn more about the dangers of having apps, like FunctionServer and how to remove it permanently from any Mac.
FunctionServer Summary
Name | FunctionServer |
Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP on 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 FunctionServer
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss FunctionServer. |
FunctionServer – Main Activity Report
If you have noticed the FunctionServer app to be installed on your computer, then you may have an adware problem on your hands. In fact, there are some other very similar adware apps, like FunctionServer that even include similar names in some way and the most recent of those programs are IncognitoSearchly, MapperProgress and ProgressHelper. These applications may exist only to appear legitimate, while in reality they could change your home, new tab page and default search engine so that they can push ads, like the following kinds to you:
- Highlighted ads in text.
- Banner adware.
- Notification pop-ups.
- Pop-up ads.
- Redirects.
- Search results advertisements.
One main method these programs use to replicate on devices, like your Mac is software bundling. This means that FunctionServer could be automatically included on the setup of another free app you could have recently downloaded, like some freeware from the web.
Once FunctionServer is on your Mac, it could use some specific trackers, like pixels, tags, geo-locators and cookies to obtain information about your device, such as:
- Browsing history.
- Last visited sites.
- Online clicks
- Bookmarked sites.
This is done to show you more targeted ads based on what you do online and hence increase the likelihood of you visiting those ads. But these trackers are not the main risk, related to FunctionServer.
The primary problem this software has is some of the ads it shows could outright be dangerous for your Mac as they could take you to the following risky sites:
- Fake Tech Support scams.
- Fraud surveys.
- Phishing pages.
- Scam sites.
- Virus websites.
This is why it is a good idea to focus on removing FunctionServer from your Mac as soon as it is possible.
Remove FunctionServer from Your Mac
If you want to get rid of this program from your Mac, then we would suggest you to follow the removal instructions that have been posted beneath this article. They are created with the main idea to best help you detect and delete this software from your Mac and browsers. If you want to remove FunctionServer with best effectiveness, then experts would suggest to scan your Mac using a professional anti-malware software. Such an application has been created with the primary purpose to help detect and delete apps, like FunctionServer automatically by scanning macOS thoroughly.
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 FunctionServer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as FunctionServer, 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 FunctionServer 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 FunctionServer:
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 FunctionServer. 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 FunctionServer. 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 FunctionServer 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 FunctionServer. 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 FunctionServer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
FunctionServer-FAQ
What is FunctionServer on your Mac?
The FunctionServer 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 FunctionServer?
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 FunctionServer?
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 FunctionServer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this FunctionServer 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 FunctionServer?
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 FunctionServer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.