Experiencing problems on your Mac from ProType? Act now. Read this article to learn more information about it and learn how you can remove it completely.
What Is ProType on Mac?
ProType is a bogus program programmed to alter macOS settings without informing users. Security specialists classify it as a potentially unwanted program. This app could appear on your Mac all of a sudden. without people’s permission.
And the installation of another desired app could be the reason for this issue. A fake software update could trick you to activate ProType on your Mac as well.
Once started on a macOS, the undesired program triggers lots of processes that help it to access installed browsers. By altering main browsing preferences, ProType Mac virus becomes able to display online ads.
The app could also replace the default search engine with a hoax one or a modified version of a legitimate one. If this happens, you will notice that the homepage and the new tab page on your preferred web browser load an unwanted search engine.
ProType Summary
| Name | ProType |
| Type | Adware, Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Removal Time | 5 Minutes |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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ProType on Mac – What Does It Do?
ProType is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) according to data generated by different anti-malware tools. Typically, PUPs get installed on Apple Mac devices when users overlook the installation process of another program.
Potentially unwanted programs like ProType hijacker could also be spread via shady techniques like malicious advertising, fake software updates, torrent files, and hacked websites.
ProType is an app configured to affect certain browser settings. Its goal is to become able to start presenting affected users with sponsored content.
This annoying issue supports PUPs’ developers by generating them revenue. Their shady programs are designed to monetize their presence on affected machines via the so-called pay-per-click advertising model.
In the event that you start noticing the following types of ads in your preferred web browser, it means that the browser has been affected by ProType:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
- Push notifications.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Ad-supported search results.
ProType may also replace the homepage on your browser with a hoax search engine. It could present a legitimate-like search engine such as Yahoo or Bing as well. All new tabs may redirect to the same unwanted web page. This behavior of the undesired program indicates that it is a browser hijacker.
Unfortunately, the app could activate different tracking technologies like cookies, scripts, web beacons, etc. to harvest data.
Once the owners of the app receive harvested details they can misuse them for shady advertising campaigns. Your affected Mac may be inundated with a variety of bogus ads. Popular browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc. may be affected by ProType hijacker.
Beware that ads that are part of shady advertising networks are sometimes related to dangerous websites that host malware and other unwanted software.
How Did I Get ProType Installed on My Mac?
ProType can get installed on your Mac in a variety of ways. Such programs are typically bundled with freeware or shareware applications, hidden in the installation process.
It can also be installed via malicious webpages or links that redirect you to a malicious site. Additionally, it can spread through emails, attachments, and other online sources.
Most of these distribution mechanisms aim to trick you into installing the program without considering the side effects. For the purpose of achieving this goal, bundled software installers are used as well as fake software updates delivered over compromised web pages.
Is It a Virus?
To sum up, ProType is not a virus as it is not developed to corrupt your system or your personal files. However, as long as this program is running on your Mac, it lowers the security of your device.
It is highly recommendable to remove undesired/harmful apps from the affected Mac. Otherwise, your system, as well as the data you store on it, will remain vulnerable to future attacks.
How to Remove ProType from Mac
In order to remove ProType along with all its entries from the affected system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you with both manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps.
The manual ProType removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
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 ProType files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ProType, 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 ProType 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 ProType:
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 ProType. 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 ProType. 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 ProType 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 ProType. 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 ProType – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ProType-FAQ
What is ProType on your Mac?
The ProType 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 ProType?
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 ProType?
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 ProType Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ProType 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 ProType?
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 ProType threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.