This article’s goal is to help Mac users understand what SaveOnMac is and what to do, if it has been installed on their systems. Being an adware program, SaveOnMac generates unwanted and often intrusive pop-up ads and interferes with the safe browsing of the user. SaveOnMac has been developed with the sole purpose of generating ad revenue for its creators.
However, since it involves the display of unwanted and unknown ads, there are associated risks. From these ads, you may be redirected to pages laden with malware. Adware programs such as SaveOnMac, and generally potentially unwanted programs, may be linked with collection of user data and user behavior patterns, and sharing this information with unknown third parties. To avoid any risk, read this article carefully and make sure to remove the adware from your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | SaveOnMac |
| Type | Adware |
| Short Description | A program that delivers lots of intrusive advertisements within the browser. |
| Symptoms | Browser slowdowns could occur due to the increased number of ads generated by the adware. |
| Distribution Method | Software bundles; Corrupted installers; Deceptive web pages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
SpyHunter
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SaveOnMac. |
SaveOnMac Adware General Description
Adware programs typically display ads and coupons for websites related to online shopping. The ads may seem convincing, offering you various discounts and deals on items you want to purchase. However, don’t be fooled – such programs can be quite intrusive and persistent.
Once this piece of adware is installed and started on your Mac, it is highly likely to initiate a series of modifications, including browser settings that will enable the generation of said advertisements. Furthermore, the program may also be able to affect the settings of popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
Some of the ads delivered by the adware could present phrases like:
- Advert from SaveOnMac
- Powered by SaveOnMac
- Ad by SaveOnMac
- Advertisement by SaveOnMac
- Brought to you by SaveOnMac
As of their type they could be pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, in-text links, scroll boxes, videos, images and other. These ads could generate revenue to the adware’s operators.
Having adware installed and running on your Mac is also associated with further risks. First, adware such as SaveOnMac could worsen your browser, which in turn could diminish significantly your browsing experience. And second, some of the ads may redirect you to poorly secured web pages compromised by hackers.
SaveOnMac Distribution Techniques
Since SaveOnMac is ad-supported and potentially unwanted, it may have infiltrated your Mac via tricky methods such as software bundling in freeware packages. If you have downloaded a piece of freeware from the Web, you may have installed the adware yourself without even noticing it. It may have sneaked into your system via corrupted pages as well.
When an adware or PUP is distributed in software bundles and free third-party apps, it is often hidden in the Advanced/Custom configuration step of the installer. However, the unwanted program may not be mentioned in the installer at all.
Another possible distribution technique that may have installed SaveOnMac on your device includes compromised web pages laden with bad code.
SaveOnMac Removal Instructions
In order to remove SaveOnMac adware and all associated files from your Mac, consider following the steps below the article. There, you are presented with both manual and automatic removal instructions that combined could help you to secure your device and keep it safe in the future.
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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 SaveOnMac files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SaveOnMac, 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 SaveOnMac 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 SaveOnMac:
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 SaveOnMac. 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 SaveOnMac. 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 SaveOnMac 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 SaveOnMac. 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 SaveOnMac – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SaveOnMac-FAQ
What is SaveOnMac on your Mac?
The SaveOnMac 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 SaveOnMac?
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 SaveOnMac?
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 SaveOnMac Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SaveOnMac 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 SaveOnMac?
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 SaveOnMac threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.