What is Extra Window Mac App? How to remove Extra Window Mac App? Is Extra Window Mac App legitimate or is it a virus?
A new form of unwanted software has been uncovered, attacking mainly Mac devices. The app is called Extra Window for Mac and its main purpose is to appear as a useful application that aims to help improve your Mac experience, allegedly by adding an extra screen of some sort. Either way, applications, like Extra Window for Mac are classified as generally unsafe, due to the ads that may be associated with them. These ads may lead you to different unwanted websites, some of which may be dangerous. Read this post to learn how to remove Extra Window virus from your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | Extra Window "Virus" |
| Type | PUP for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Unwanted software that aims to take over browser permissions to display ads and track your informaiton. |
| Symptoms | Aims to display various different types of advertisements on victimized computers. May begin to create various different files and objects that are hidden. |
| Distribution Method | Via software bundling or online advertisements. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Extra Window "Virus". |
Extra Window Mac “Virus” – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
Extra Window app is a very similar software to other unwanted and ad-supported applications we have discovered so far:
These types of apps usually find their way on your Mac by being added from a third-party site, not the official Apple app store. They may be advertised as useful applications, but bear in mind that there is more to this than just them being legitimate. Another method of distribution that may be used by the Extra Window app is if it is added optionally to the another installation you may have recently performed. In the installer of another free app, the Extra Window app could be advertised somewhere in the installation steps as a “optional offer” or a “free extra”.
When Extra Window app is installed on your Mac, this is how it would appear:
The app may seem like its useful, but in reality, reports indicate that it may begin to tamper with your Mac’s permissions and could also start to change settings on your web browsers, if they are Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Opera.
The end goal of Extra Window appears to allegedly be to show ads. All forms of them. The advertisements that may be displayed by this app may be of the following types:
In general, Extra Window is not directly dangerous to your Mac. But the ads it may show and the sites to which those ads could lead you can be risky. Some of the risks associated with such ads are that they may lead you to scam sites or even malware sites, that can infect your Mac. This is what makes Extra Window indirectly dangerous and its removal is recommended.
Remove Extra Window from Your Mac
In order to get rid of the Extra Window Virus from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions that we have set up down below. They have been made to help you delete this software step by step from your Mac. Be advised, that Extra Window app could have leftover files on your Mac, whose main purpose could be to continue to show all sorts of ad content. This is why, for the removal it is essential and recommended to scan your Mac using an advanced malware removal software and cleanup tool. The main reason for that is such cleanup program aims to scan for and remove all objects that are harmful for your Mac and secure it.
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 Extra Window "Virus" files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Extra Window "Virus", 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 Extra Window "Virus" 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 Extra Window "Virus":
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 Extra Window "Virus". 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 Extra Window "Virus". 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 Extra Window "Virus" 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 Extra Window "Virus". 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 Extra Window "Virus" – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Extra Window "Virus"-FAQ
What is Extra Window "Virus" on your Mac?
The Extra Window "Virus" 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 Extra Window "Virus"?
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 Extra Window "Virus"?
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 Extra Window "Virus" Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Extra Window "Virus" 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 Extra Window "Virus"?
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 Extra Window "Virus" threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.