What Is LaunchEntry Mac?
LaunchEntry is the type of software that is potentially unwanted and has been classified as ad-supported for Mac. Its main purpose is likely to appear like a useful app, while in the same time this software may cause multiple different forms of advertisements to begin appearing on your Mac. These ads’ main purpose is likely to take you to third-party sites and this is often how the creators of apps, like LaunchEntry make their profit. And since they show ads purely for profit without any specific regards to the origin of those ads, this is often how you could end up being redirected to several different virus sites or sites that may be scams.
Read this article to understand more on LaunchEntry and how to remove this nasty software from your computer.
LaunchEntry Summary
| Name | LaunchEntry |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP |
| 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 Device Has Been Affected by LaunchEntry
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss LaunchEntry. |
LaunchEntry – Further Details
LaunchEntry is an adware for Mac that very likely shares a similar code with other ad-supported macOS apps, like BoostConsole, FunctionLogInput and InstallCore. Not only these apps have something in common in their names, but they likely have the same green magnifier icon.
LaunchEntry may be installed on your Mac in more than one way. You could have downloaded it from some site, which advertises it as a useful app, or you could have had it slither past your knowledge by being bundled to the installer of some other free software. If this is the case, then LaunchEntry could be promoted as a free extra or offer of some type somewhere in the install steps of freely downloaded apps, like media players, image editing apps, and others.
LaunchEntry may be responsible for a number of changes on the settings of your most often used web browsers and likely the following kinds of ads:
- Browser pop-ups.
- Redirects and transfers to third-party sites.
- Push notifications promotions.
- Ads appearing instead of search results.
- Text-embedded advertisements.
- Banner adverts.
LaunchEntry could lead you to sites that may use different types of trackers, like pixels, tags, cookies, geo-location trackers, and others. The main objective of those is to obtain information concerning your online activities, like the following:
- Pages visited.
- Your clicks made online.
- Bookmarked sites.
- Browser history.
LaunchEntry is also the type of software that may lead you to very nasty websites, from the likes of:
- Phishing or “Fake” sites.
- Scamming sites.
- Virus domains.
- Tech support scams.
- Rogue software download frauds.
- Endless redirect loop schemes.
- Scam surveys.
This the primary reason this application is considered indirectly harmful and its removal is reccomended.
Remove LaunchEntry from Your Device
To be able to uninstall LaunchEntry from your Mac, you should follow the removal steps beneath. They will help you take care of this app by removing it from your browsers and macOS. LaunchEntry can automatically be removed if you scan your Mac with advanced anti-malware software. Experts strongly advise using such professional software for removal since it has the capability of detecting and deleting any malware and unwanted software completely from your Mac.
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 LaunchEntry 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 LaunchEntry 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 LaunchEntry – 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 LaunchEntry files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as LaunchEntry, 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.
LaunchEntry FAQ
What is LaunchEntry on your Mac?
The LaunchEntry 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 LaunchEntry 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 LaunchEntry?
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 LaunchEntry?
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.
