What Is EssentialConfig on Mac?
EssentialConfig adware program for Mac can place various advertisements in installed web browsers. It is a potentially unwanted program that affects Mac machines without leaving any signs of the infection process. The program aims to alter settings that enable it to deliver annoying ads. The problem with ads delivered by adware is their unreliable sources. These ads could endanger the overall system security by promoting risky websites – online scams, phishing pages, corrupted websites that promote malware.
Read this article to learn more information about this risky software and how you can remove it from your web browser and your Mac as well.
EssentialConfig Mac – Details
| Name | EssentialConfig also known as Adware.MacOS.EssentialConfig (SpyHunter for Mac) |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to trigger 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 EssentialConfig
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss EssentialConfig. |
EssentialConfig Adware – How Did I Get Infected?
EssentialConfig adware is a program based on the code of the AdLoad family of threats for Mac. AdLoad has many other agents except EssentialConfig. Some of the recently discovered members of the family are ProcessRate, SmartTask, and ImmersiveTask.
Just like other adware variants, EssentialConfig may try to infect macOS by pretending to be an Adobe Flash Player update. Fake Adobe Flash Player updates are typically hosted on bogus sites designed to generate pop-ups and other misleading or scary messages. Instead of providing legitimate updates, however, they push potentially undesired programs.
You can see the example below that shows a questionable page offering counterfeit potentially unwanted programs:
This program could also have landed on your macOS via software package. Downloads of some third-party freeware from the web could’ve resulted in the unnoticed activation of the adware in the background of all other running processes. The example below illustrates how this process works:
EssentialConfig – What Does It Do?
The idea of EssentialConfig adware is limited to monetization. It is not a useful tool that will enhance macOS performance or help you to complete more complicated processes. This program will just alter specific system and browser settings and then start to display intrusive advertisements. Hence, the activation of this adware on your machine could trigger the following types of ads on your machine:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Redirects.
- Intrusive push notifications.
A number of different trackers like web beacons, scripts, and cookies may be placed on the infected system by the adware. Below you can see a web browser affcted by third-party cookies:
PUPs record different data without asking for permission in order to provide data to thier operators. Fraudsters, in turn, could launch targeted advertising campaigns by the use of the harvested details. Infroamtion can be harvested from both your Mac and your web browsers. The list may include:
- Your mouse clicks.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- Your mouse movements.
- What searches you have made.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- What you have visited.
Is EssentialConfig a Virus?
EssentialConfig is not a vicious Mac virus that will corrupt personal data or leave additional malicious code that steals personal credentials. At the same time, this software could be misused by malware authors who know how to exploit its code and then obtain remote access to the system.
This application could be just as dangerous as a virus because of the ads it brings as well. Some very risky websites may load in your browser without your authorization:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
This is the main reason why this program is outlined as indirectly unsafe and you should remove it from your computer system immediately.
How to Remove EssentialConfig from Mac?
In order to remove EssentialConfig from your Mac and the web browsers that it may have affected, we suggest that you follow the removal instructions we have set up. The steps below are made with the main idea to assist you in cleaning up your web browsers and your operating system from this nasty software. For the most effective removal, security experts recommend the use of an anti-malware program that can scan all macOS directories for harmful files and let you remove them with a few easy clicks.
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 EssentialConfig files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as EssentialConfig, 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 EssentialConfig 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 EssentialConfig:
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 EssentialConfig. 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 EssentialConfig. 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 EssentialConfig 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 EssentialConfig. 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 EssentialConfig – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
EssentialConfig-FAQ
What is EssentialConfig on your Mac?
The EssentialConfig 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 EssentialConfig?
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 EssentialConfig?
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 EssentialConfig Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this EssentialConfig 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 EssentialConfig?
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 EssentialConfig threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.