What Is SurfBoost
SurfBoost is the name of a potentially unwanted program that may appear on Mac devices. This software’s main purpose is to convince you that it is helpful, but in reality, modify your web browsers so that it shows its own adware content. The main problem with the ads that may be displayed by SurfBoost is they could sometimes lead to dangerous websites, whose main idea could be to either scam you out of your information or infect your Mac with more adware or mawlare. This is why SurfBoost is classified as indirectly risky for your Mac and should be removed from it.
Read this article if you want to learn how you can remove SurfBoost from your Mac completely.
SurfBoost Summary
| Name | SurfBoost |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 SurfBoost
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SurfBoost. |
SurfBoost Mac Redirect Activity Report
SurfBoost is a similar application to other Mac adware that has recently appear, such as ProgressHelper, SurfManaged and NetSearchAgent. This leads us to believe that these apps may be left on your Mac by the same adware developer. The main way these programs use to slither onto your Mac is likely software bundling.
The primary way they may get bundled onto your machine is to be added in one of the install steps, located in either “custom” or “advanced” install modes where the app itself is advertised as a free extra or an optional offer of some sort.
Once SurfBoost is added to your Mac, it may use data collection measures, like pixels, tags, cookies, and others of this kind. The main idea here is to collect information and show you more targeted ads, but you have no way of knowing where is this information stored. THese trackers may be used to obtain the following activities on your browsers:
- The web pages you have advertised.
- The clicks which you make while online and your browsing session mouse movements.
- Sites you have saved and bookmarked.
- History of your web browser.
Besides using trackers, SurfBoost may also display the following kinds of ads on your Mac:
- Push notification pop-up ads.
- Browser redirects.
- Search result advertisements.
- Pop-ups on your web browser.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Banners.
These ads may be risky in several different ways. For one, they may slow your Mac down, but the main problem is they could lead to some very dangerous websites, such as:
- Sites that offer scam software for download.
- Redirect loop URLs
- Survey scams.
- Fraudulent and fake versions of legitimate sites.
- Scamming sites.
- Malware domains.
- Fake tech support sites.
This is what makes this program dangerous for your Mac, even though it is not directly malicious.
Remove SurfBoost from Your Device
SurfBoost is the kind of software that can be deleted from your Mac if you follow the removal steps that are posted underneath this guide. These steps are specifically made with the main idea to clean up not just your macOS, but also your web browsers. For the most effective removal of apps, like SurfBoost, a good idea is to use advanced anti-malware software. Experts often recommend such professional software as it has the capability of thoroughly scanning your Mac and deleting any malware and unwanted software from 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 SurfBoost files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SurfBoost, 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 SurfBoost 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 SurfBoost:
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 SurfBoost. 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 SurfBoost. 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 SurfBoost 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 SurfBoost. 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 SurfBoost – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SurfBoost-FAQ
What is SurfBoost on your Mac?
The SurfBoost 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 SurfBoost?
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 SurfBoost?
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 SurfBoost Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SurfBoost 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 SurfBoost?
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 SurfBoost threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.