What Is NetworkStructured Mac
NetworkStructured iss a program for Mac, that is classified as adware. These applications after May slow your Mac down and may expose it to risky websites, because some of the advertisements they display for profit can redirect you to dangerous domains. Since this program is made purely for profit, it may be an indirect risk for your Mac and should be removed from it as soon as possible.
Read this article to learn more information about how NetworkStructured works and how you can get rid of it safely.
NetworkStructured Mac – Details
| Name | NetworkStructured |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your device begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss NetworkStructured. |
NetworkStructured Virus – How Did I Get Infected
NetworkStructured is likley a part of the AdLoad adware network of programs, that also includes SelectorComponent, EdgeAdvanced and JumpSearch.
Victims who have gotten these applications are often reported they have downloaded some type of a fake Adobe Flash Player update, that looks somewhat like the following example image describes:
The problem with this webpage is that it is fake and instead of an update you get the adware application on your device.
Another way you could’ve gotten this program is if it pretends to be some type of a helpful software that is included as an optional extra to the installation of some free app that you may have recently downloaded from a website outside of the App Store. If this is the case, then the application could exist in one of the installation steps, like shown in the example image below:
NetworkStructured – What Does It Do?
Once NetworkStructured lands on your Mac, it may begin to perform certain types of modifications to its web browsers. This includes even changing your default homepage, search and new tab page is that appears each time you open the browser. The main way this is done so that the software can be displaying different types of advertisements unobstructed, like the following kinds:
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Redirects.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Intrusive push notifications.
The usage of cookies is also very possible when it comes to this application, because this is its main method to target you with more specific ads:
Such types of trackers can be often used to get different information from your web browser, if they are abused by a hacker and could expose the following data, concerning your browsing activities:
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- Your mouse clicks.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
Is NetworkStructured a Virus?
No, NetworkStructured is not a virus – it is adware for Mac. However, due to the nature of some of the advertisements that this program displays on your Mac, it could sometimes prove to be just as dangerous as any virus. The main reason for that is some of these ads could lead to the following threats:
- Rogue software sites.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Tech support fraud pages.
These are the main reasons, why security experts do advise removing these applications immediately.
How to Remove NetworkStructured from Mac?
To remove NetworkStructured from your Mac effectively, security professionals do advise following instructions from reputable websites, like the ones we have made below. They are designed to contain the necessary steps to manually get rid of this program and clean up your web browsers as well. If you want an automatic and effective removal that is easy, then the most recommended way is to scan your computer using a professional anti-malware for Mac. Such a program is designed to perform a thorough check of your device and get it rid of any malware permanently.
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 NetworkStructured files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as NetworkStructured, 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 NetworkStructured 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 NetworkStructured:
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 NetworkStructured. 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 NetworkStructured. 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 NetworkStructured 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 NetworkStructured. 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 NetworkStructured – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
NetworkStructured-FAQ
What is NetworkStructured on your Mac?
The NetworkStructured 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 NetworkStructured?
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 NetworkStructured?
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 NetworkStructured Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this NetworkStructured 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 NetworkStructured?
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 NetworkStructured threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.