This article aims to help you with the removal of the suspicious program Coloring Hero from the affected system. Follow the detailed guide at the end to get rid of it in full.
Coloring Hero is promoted as an app that gives you a variety of coloring categories to choose from. The app is compatible with all Mac operating systems. Even if it seems quite like a legitimate app, it is classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) due to some doubtful functionalities it has.
Threat Summary
| Name | Coloring Hero |
| Type | Potentially Unwanted Program |
| Short Description | Promoted as program with a variety of coloring templates. Detected to behave as adware program. |
| Symptoms | Many advertisements start to appear on web pages you visit. Frequent browser slowdowns are registered. |
| Distribution Method | Software Bundles, Corrupted Installers |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Combo Cleaner
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Coloring Hero. |
Coloring Hero – How Does It Access Mac Devices?
The official website of Coloring Hero app coloringhero.com appears to be one of the channels used for the spread of this program. Here is what its main page presents once loaded in the browser:
However, since it is likely that the app has managed to trick you into installing it unintentionally, we presume that it did it with the help of another shady spread technique. Among the techniques used for its spread could be software bundling, freeware installers’ corruption, generation of fake software updates notifications and browser redirects to infected web pages.
More often than not, the reason why you have this undesired program running on your Mac is a recent installation of any free program that has come with a corrupted installer. Owners of potentially undesired programs like Coloring Hero often compromise free applications’ installers in order to hide the installation files of their programs in them. Eventually, when you download an app with a compromised installer from across the web you could unintentionally install all added extras along with this desired app. Since compromised freeware installers and bundled packages rarely disclose properly the presence of additional components you can easily get tricked into giving them the permission to run on your device. Sometimes this can be avoided after a thorough read of all details mentioned in the Advanced or Custom configuration option or the End-user license agreement (EULA) presented by the installer.
Coloring Hero – More Information
Coloring Hero is an app compatible with all macOS versions that as presented on its official website enables you to choose between a variety of realistic, complex and highly detailed coloring templates. However, the program often appears on Mac devices without being downloaded by users will. And since you are reading a guide on how to remove this program from your Mac the same thing maybe happened to you.
This is one of the main reasons why this app is classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Due to some intrusive advertising related activities it is further considered to be of an adware type. So soon after it manages to run on your Mac, you could start noticing many ads to appear on web pages you visit as well as directly on your desktop. Here are some of the phrases that may appear on the ads generated by Coloring Hero PUP:
- Advert from Coloring Hero
- Powered by Coloring Hero
- Ad by coloringhero.com
- Ads by coloringhero.com
- Advertisement by Coloring Hero
- Brought to you by Coloring Hero
The purpose of all these ads is to convince you to visit the promoted web pages as each time you do this Coloring Hero’s owners get paid by the advertiser. To make you more prone to click on generated ads, the program could be collecting details about your online behavior. Unsolicited data collection is usually realized with the help of different tracking technologies from cookies, web beacons, scripts to Trojans and keyloggers sometimes.
If you want to prevent Coloring Hero from disrupting the security of your Mac and your sensitive data, you need to find files and objects installed by the app and remove them all. The sooner the better.
Remove Coloring Hero from Your Mac
In order to remove Coloring Hero along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. In the guide below you will find all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of this particular undesired program and strengthen the security of your device we recommend you to combine the steps. Have in mind that installed files associated with this hijacker may be detected with names different than Coloring Hero.
In case you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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.
Step 1: Uninstall Coloring Hero 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 Coloring Hero:
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 Coloring Hero. 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 Coloring Hero. 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 Coloring Hero 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 Coloring Hero. 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 2: Remove Coloring Hero – 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 Coloring Hero files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Coloring Hero, 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.
Coloring Hero FAQ
What is Coloring Hero on your Mac?
The Coloring Hero 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 Coloring Hero 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 Coloring Hero?
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 Coloring Hero?
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 Coloring Hero Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Coloring Hero 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 Coloring Hero?
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 Coloring Hero threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. macOS More Susceptible to Adware and PUPs than Windows
2. XLoader Malware-as-a-Service Now Available for macOS for Only $49
3. XCSSET Mac Malware Targets Apple’s M1-Based Macs and macOS 11
4. macOS Backdoor Malware Linked to OceanLotus Hackers
5. The State of Apple’s Privacy So Far in 2021