What Is EdgePremium Mac?
EdgePremium application’s appearance on a Mac signifies that the macOS security is lowered. The program is not malicious. At the same time, it belongs to the potentially unwanted type of programs. Therefore, it doesn’t corrupt personal files or essential system settings but affects installed web browsers to perform various different types of unwanted activities on the Mac. Issues include lots of ads that flood the affected browsers for profits and the collection of certain data from both the device and browsers. The generation of ads by adware applications like EdgePremium may lead to a load of very risky websites. Some of the advertised sites can turn out to be online scams or even malware download portals.
Read this article to learn more about the software and how you can remove it from your computer system completely.
EdgePremium Mac – Details
| Name | EdgePremium |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings of installed browser in order to force them to load lots of browser redirects and other kinds of advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your device begins to display various online advertisements. The machine is slowed down while your security and privacy are weakened. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by EdgePremium
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Malware Removal Tool
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EdgePremium Virus – How Did I Get Infected
EdgePremium is a hoax program that may pretend to be helpful and legit but is in fact part of a large family of adware programs called AdLoad. Programs part of this family support shady advertising networks. The apps are responsible for infecting macOS and forcing users to visit as much sponsored content as possible. Other examples of adware apps like EdgePremium include GSpace Discover, ConnectProcess, EasyMacSoft.
One of the main ways of distribution for adware is software bundling. So, you could’ve gotten EdgePremium Mac adware if you have downloaded some type of a free program that added the undesired app witout informing you. Unwanted extras are typically hidden somewhere in the installation setup just like the example image below shows:
Another strategy used by crooks who promote adware is to force run browser redirects to websites that contain fake Adobe Flash Player updates which download and install undesired rogue programs instead of the expected update:
EdgePremium Adware – What Does It Do?
The very first thing EdgePremium adware does when it ends up on your Mac is to attempt to adjust the settings of detected web browsers. The result of its operations may be noticed once you open an affected browser. EdgePremium adware might have changed your default search engine, your homepage and your new tab webpage. The primary idea of all visible and invisible transformations is the display of invasive advertisements which generate profit for fraudsters. The following kinds of advertisements may be pushed by the PUP:
- Redirects.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results that show ads instead of relevant sources.
- Intrusive push notifications.
- Interruptive banner ads.
Note that most of the sites related to such ads often contain cookies and other types of tracking technologies which they add automatically to your browser:
Such trackers exist with the main purpose to obtain different information concerning your web browsing activity. They enable adware owners to set target advertising campaigns that aim to persuade you to visit more of the ads shown by their bogus program. The problem is that you do not know what else happens with the gathered information, who it is shared with, where it is kept and so on. And the information harvested from your browser may reveal a lot about you and your device:
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your mouse movements.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- Installed apps.
- Version of the system.
- Last browser update.
- IP address.
- Geographic location.
Is EdgePremium a Virus?
EdgePremium is the type of program that anti-malware tools detect as PUP (potentially unwanted program). Hence, it is not a virus in a malicious sense. However, it could be just as dangerous as any computer virus. All of the websites which its adverts link to may be hosting very dangerous content.
This is the main reason why it is strongly recommended that you get rid of this software ASAP.
How to Remove EdgePremium from Mac?
In order to effectively clean up your Mac and the web browsers that are installed in it from EdgePremium, it is strongly recommended that you follow the steps for removal below. They have been created with the main idea to contain all of the necessary information to clean up your Mac. If you want the most effective removal or just lack the experience to do manual removal, the best way to do it according to security professionals is the scan your Mac, by using an anti-malware program. Such reputable software is created with the primary idea to thoroughly check your Mac and automatically get it rid of any malicious software.
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.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove EdgePremium files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as EdgePremium, 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 EdgePremium 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 EdgePremium:
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 EdgePremium. 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 EdgePremium. 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 EdgePremium 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 EdgePremium. 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 EdgePremium – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
EdgePremium-FAQ
What is EdgePremium on your Mac?
The EdgePremium 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 EdgePremium?
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 EdgePremium?
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 EdgePremium Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this EdgePremium 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 EdgePremium?
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 EdgePremium threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.