MySocialShortcut Mac Virus is a new browser hijacker application developed by the Mindspark Interactive Network. You can directly download its browser expansion from the website of the exact same name or Google’s Chrome internet store. If you have the expansion or any other unwanted program on your Mac your homepage, online search engine as well as new tab will certainly be changed to Hp.myway(.) com. A toolbar can appear and search results page could deceive you and reveal ads and also targeted web content. To see how to remove this hijacker and reverse the modifications it made, you must check out the post to its end.
My Social Shortcut Redirect
The Hp.myway(.) com page of MySocialShortcut Mac Virus uses the typical techniques for shipment. It can be supplied with the help of third-party setups. Packed software, in addition to totally free programs, can mount the hijacker on your Mac. Freeware configurations might have much more parts to be included set as a default mount. Great deals of settings can obtain altered or changed until you notice you have the hijacker on your Mac system. Protecting against undesirable programs from setting up is doable when you find Custom or Advanced setups in an arrangement.
As you can see aware over, Hp.myway(.) com can utilize alternative techniques to spread its search engine and also damage your search settings. The approach shown over is by using an extension downloadable at the Chrome Internet Store. An additional is by utilizing advertisements on web sites, such as pop-ups, banners, and any kind of additional ad content or redirects. Such web sites could be partners or associates with Mindspark. The complying with internet browsers can be impacted: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer/Edge, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
My Social Shortcut Virus Mac
MySociaShortcut(.) com Mac Virus is the main download web page of the internet browser hijacker application of the same name. MyWay, had by Mindspark Interactive Network has actually developed the hijacker, as many other ones, like TestForSpeed. If you have actually any type of application associated with it on your Mac, the search engine, begin page and brand-new tab of your web browsers will change to Hp.myway(.) com.
Threat Summary
| Name | My Social Shortcut |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| 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 PC. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss My Social Shortcut. |
MySocialShortcut Virus – Description
The Hp.myway(.) com web page consists of a search bar, with numerous web links in the form of switches. The buttons redirect to prominent social media sites websites, however can be transformed in a manner to show advertisements and also targeted web content. That page will certainly change your online search engine as well as setups of all web browsers you have, consisting of the new tab setup and also web page. Browser expansions could be added along with a toolbar.
An expansion associated to the hijacker does the following:
- Read as well as change all your information on the websites you visit.
- Read and also transform your surfing history.
- Handle your downloads.
- Manage your applications, extensions and also motifs.
If any type of application pertaining to Hp.myway(.) com or MySocialShortcut(.) com Mac Virus enters your Mac system, you will certainly notice a lot of adjustments when you are searching. Your Mac may come to be influenced by such applications with the aid of bundled software. You can see various funded content or targeted advertisements in the search results. The address that your searches go through is int.search.myway(.) com/search/.
As you can see when you utilize Hp.myway(.) com your searches obtain filteringed system by the internet search engine of MyWay. You can obtain redirected to search.myway(.) com as well as likewise see lots of pop-up advertisements associated with the hijacker.
As Mindspark is a huge company, infamous for their several internet browser hijackers, you must be very cautious with what you type in searches. Do not click on the social buttons of MySocialShortcut, since the web links might be customized to redirect or show you targeted web content when the web page loads. Check out listed below to learn what information can be gathered from you.
The Personal Privacy Policy of MySocialShortcut redirects you to Mindspark’s basic EULA and also Policy web page discovered at https://eula.mindspark.com/privacypolicy/. The policy has actually not been changed in a long period of time.
According to the Policy, information is still gathered, also directly recognizable one, consisting of:.
- Your name.
- Your address.
- Email address.
- Phone number.
- Variety of your web page views.
- What web links you clicked.
- Your login times.
The complying with excerpts estimated from the policy, are essential as they are a sign of Mindspark:.
Mindspark, its Affiliates, or Service Providers may move details that we gather about you, including individual information throughout borders and from your country or territory to other nations or jurisdictions all over the world.
By downloading, signing up for and/or utilizing Mindspark’s Services, you grant the transfer of information to the UNITED STATE or to any other nation in which Mindspark, its Affiliates or Service Providers maintain centers as well as the usage and disclosure of information about you as defined in this Privacy Plan.
The services of Hp.myway(.) com as well as Mindspark, including all toolbars as well as applications pertaining to them gives your approval for automated details collection. All information that is gathered might be disclosed to third parties. You ought to remove this unwanted program as soon as possible.
Remove MySocialShortcut Completely from Your Mac
To eliminate Hp.myway(.) com and also anything associated to MySocialShortcut by hand from your Mac, adhere to the detailed elimination guidelines offered listed below. In case the hand-operated elimination does not remove the hijacker and all of its data completely, you need to search for and remove any kind of leftovers with a sophisticated anti-malware device. Such software program can maintain your Mac system risk-free in the future.
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 My Social Shortcut files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as My Social Shortcut, 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 My Social Shortcut 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 My Social Shortcut:
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 My Social Shortcut. 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 My Social Shortcut. 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 My Social Shortcut 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 My Social Shortcut. 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 My Social Shortcut – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
My Social Shortcut-FAQ
What is My Social Shortcut on your Mac?
The My Social Shortcut 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 My Social Shortcut?
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 My Social Shortcut?
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 My Social Shortcut Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this My Social Shortcut 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 My Social Shortcut?
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 My Social Shortcut threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.