What is the Structured Service App on Mac? How to remove the Structured Service App hijacker from your Mac and stop its ads?
Structured Service App is an application that is known as a browser hijacker. These types of apps are not viruses, but they can cause quite the problems for your Mac. Their main symptoms is that they often aim to “hijack” your web browser in the sense that they take control over it in order to often show pesky ads. Structured Service App can be difficult to remove as well, because of the many files it creates on your computer. Read this article to understand how you can remove Structured Service App from your Mac fully.
Threat Summary
| Name | Structured Service App |
| Type | PUA for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to display different ads, some of which may be dangerous to your computer. |
| Symptoms | The Structured Service App may display pop-ups, redirects and other types of advertisements on victimized computers. |
| Distribution Method | Via software bundling or by being downloaded from the web. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Combo Cleaner
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Structured Service App. |
Structured Service App Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
The main objective of Structured Service App virus is to enter your computer by appearing as a legitimate type of program. However, in reality, it may be far from that. The main reason for this is because the Structured Service App, while not a virus, may use the following tracking technolgoies on your Mac:
- Cookies.
- Tags.
- Geo-locators.
- Pixels.
These technologies could be misused by the Structured Service App to obtain different information about your online activity. The most often gathered user data by such applications is the following:
- Your searches history.
- Your browsing history.
- What you type.
- Where you click online.
On top of that, the Structured Service App may request certain permissions from your browser that will allow it to display advertisements. Such ads can often turn to be:
- Banners.
- Highlighted text hover ads.
- Pop-ups.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Push notifications pop-ups.
The Structured Service App could be spread as a result of being added to your computer via being bundled with other apps installers. Such apps can advertise Structured Service App as a legitimate useful program that can help improve your Mac experience in a way. However, be advised that in reality, the ads that may be displayed by Structured Service App could lead to the following dangerous websites in some cases:
- Phishing sites.
- Tech support scam sites.
- Virus sites.
- Adware sites.
Remove Structured Service App from Your Mac
The removal of the Structured Service App could be done either manually or automatically. You can remove Structured Service App by yourself if you follow the steps below. The most reccomended method for automatic removal is to use an advanced cleanup software for Mac. Such program is designed to detect and remove each file of this unwanted program so that it stops appearing in the future as well.
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.
Follow Me:
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 Structured Service App files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Structured Service App, 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 Structured Service App 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 Structured Service App:
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 Structured Service App. 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 Structured Service App. 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 Structured Service App 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 Structured Service App. 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 Structured Service App – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Structured Service App-FAQ
What is Structured Service App on your Mac?
The Structured Service App 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 Structured Service App?
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 Structured Service App?
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 Structured Service App Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Structured Service App 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 Structured Service App?
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 Structured Service App threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.