What Is ProductArchive Mac
ProductArchive is a software that has been reported by security professionals to be classified as a potentially unwanted program, also known as PUP. These apps often aim to make money by monetizing the ads they display to you via pay-per-click or other kinds of schemes. They could be dangerous for it in different ways, like redirecting you to risky websites that are advertised, because the developers of these apps do not care what it is they show on your computer.
ProductArchive could be removed from your Mac and your browsers by reading the information in this article.
ProductArchive Summary
| Name | ProductArchive |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Redirect |
| 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 |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by ProductArchive
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ProductArchive. |
ProductArchive – More About It
The Adload family of malware for Mac is a set of apps with an ad-supported component and ProductArchive is just one of them. Other such apps include , Latest Structured, OperationBeta and ChannelParameter. Visa applications typically use the following methods to end up on your Mac without your knowing:
- If you have landed on a suspicious site that may have triggered the download.
- If other malware or adware pushed it on your device.
- If it is bundled to the setup wizards of other freeware downloaded from third-party websites.
ProductArchive could be the reason that multiple types of changes that may occur on your web browsers, like the default homepage, search engine and new tab webpage plus some extensions being added. This may result in the following kinds of ads to begin appearing in an interruptive manner:
- Search results that are ad-supported.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Banner promotions.
- Pop-up ads.
ProductArchive good also employ a number of tracking technologies to obtain information on your computer, which it says that is used to improve your advertising experience, stated in a shady-written Privacy Policy, if found at all. Reality is that this information may be used to get data about the following details from your browser:
- URLs of visited sites by you.
- Your clicks.
- Your current time.
- Language and region.
- Your searches.
- Your browser.
- Your computer kind.
- Your Operating system.
- OS specifics and details.
- Default language being set.
- IP.
The trackers are of no risk when you compare them to the dangerous websites, to which the software’s ads may lead, which could be risky for your Macintosh in the following ways:
- Infect your machine with trojans, ransomware, rootkits, botnets and other types of viruses.
- Being let to a scam site that might ask you to call a fraud tech support number. This is the scammers’ method to get your information.
- Rerouting you to a website that may download and install many unwanted programs to your Mac or PC which pretend to be useful optimisers, like SilverSpeedup or PC Optimizer Pro, yet rather simply want you to pay their full versions.
These are the main reasons why this application has been classified as an indirect threat to your Mac and should be getting rid of immediately.
How to Remove ProductArchive from Mac
In case you want to remove ProductArchive from your device, we would strongly suggest that you follow the removal instructions which we have posted underneath this article. They are created with the main idea in order to assist you into successfully understanding this application, along with all of its files and objects used. For the most effective removal, security professionals often advise using anti-malware software. Such a program will make sure that all of the unwanted files and programs, plus malware are removed 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.
Follow Me:
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 ProductArchive files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ProductArchive, 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 ProductArchive 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 ProductArchive:
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 ProductArchive. 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 ProductArchive. 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 ProductArchive 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 ProductArchive. 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 ProductArchive – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ProductArchive-FAQ
What is ProductArchive on your Mac?
The ProductArchive 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 ProductArchive?
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 ProductArchive?
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 ProductArchive Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ProductArchive 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 ProductArchive?
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 ProductArchive threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.