What Is Simple Word Count
Simple Word Count is the name of an application that has been reported to exhibit potentially unwanted behavior. This software’s primary purpose is to show various kinds of advertisements on your Mac. These apps are often created so that they can generate profit for the vendors who are behind them via pay-per-click schemes. So the more ads they redirect you to, the more profit they will generate. Since these ads often remain unchecked and unverified, recommendations are to remove apps, like Simple Word Count as they can sometimes lead to risky sites via the ads they display.
Read this article to learn more about Simple Word Count and how to remove it from your computer.
Simple Word Count Summary
| Name | Simple Word Count |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by Simple Word Count
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Simple Word Count. |
Simple Word Count – Further Details
Just like other Mac adware, for example PowerfulBrowse, ShinySearch and ExtendedField, Simple Word Count may also enter your Mac via software bundling. This means that the app could be added together with the installers of other free software, such as image editors, media players and others. This program may be included somewhere in the install steps of such freeware, where it may be advertised as a “free extra” of some sort.
Once Simple Word Count is added to your computer, you may begin to see it change different settings of your web browsers. This includes new tab, home and default search pages to be changed. The main objective of such applications is to show various ads, such as:
- Banner spaces.
- Notifications appearing on your Mac and browsers.
- Ads in text that is linked.
- Pop-ups on your browser.
- Browser redirect ads.
- Search result ads.
The ads that could be displayed by Simple Word Count could bring tons of trackers on your Mac. These are small files, like cookies, tags, pixels, geo-locators, and others that can be utilized so that they track different information from your Mac’s online activity. And they are generally lasting for years time if not removed. They can be used to gather the following information:
- Your favorite websites.
- The web pages you check out.
- Where you click.
- The entire browsing history your browser keeps.
Simple Word Count is not mainly a problem due to trackers. The primary issue with this software is it could bring other kinds of dangerous sites on your computer, for example:
- Fake tech support fraud.
- Scam software download that may only be after your money.
- Fake websites, designed for phishing.
- Scams.
- Viruses.
- Endless redirect schemes.
- Fake surveys.
This is the main reason why Simple Word Count has been classified as a potentially unwanted program and should be removed from your Mac as soon as possible.
Remove Simple Word Count from Your Mac
Simple Word Count is the type of application that can be removed from your computer if you follow the guide that has been posted below. It has been created with the primary purpose to help you delete this unwanted app from both your Mac and your web browsers. For the most effective removal, recommendations are to remove Shopping Lovers using anti-malware. Such software has been created to help delete any malware and adware from your computer by scanning it thoroughly and deleting its core files.
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 Simple Word Count files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Simple Word Count, 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 Simple Word Count 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 Simple Word Count:
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 Simple Word Count. 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 Simple Word Count. 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 Simple Word Count 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 Simple Word Count. 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 Simple Word Count – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Simple Word Count-FAQ
What is Simple Word Count on your Mac?
The Simple Word Count 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 Simple Word Count?
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 Simple Word Count?
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 Simple Word Count Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Simple Word Count 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 Simple Word Count?
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 Simple Word Count threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.