What Is SurfManaged Mac?
SurfManaged is the name of potentially unwanted software that may appear on Mac devices. This app aims to show as many ads on your Mac as possible because this is the primary way it may get monetized. Be advised that SurfManaged is the kind of software that has been created with the main idea to show you ads from various third parties. The problem with these ads is they may sometimes take you to dangerous websites, like a scam or even virus ones. This is the main reason why it is strongly recommended that you remove SurfManaged from your Mac as it poses indirect dangers to it.
Read this article if you want to learn how to remove SurfManaged from your Mac effectively.
SurfManaged Summary
| Name | SurfManaged |
| 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 |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SurfManaged. |
SurfManaged Mac Redirect Activity Report
SurfManaged is an ad-supported application for Mac, just like StateProgress, TopOptimizer and MapperState adware. This software may enter your Mac via bundling tactics. This means tht the files of SurfManaged may be optionally included in the setups of other free software downloaded from third-party sites outside of the official AppStore.
Once SurfManaged is installed on your Mac, it could begin to modify the settings of your Mac and change its home, new tab, and other such pages. The outcome of this is you could begin to see the following kinds of ads:
- Push notification pop-up ads.
- Browser redirects.
- Search result advertisements.
- Pop-ups on your web browser.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Banners.
SurfManaged is the main program that may track you via different cookies, tags, pixels, and other such tracking software. Such tracking objects are mainly responsible for obtaining the following details from your browser for advertising purposes:
- Sites you have saved and bookmarked.
- History of your web browser.
- The web pages you have advertised.
- The clicks which you make while online and your browsing session mouse movements.
These trackers may be dangerous as you may not know where this information goes, but they are not the main problem that is associated with SurfManaged. The primary issue that exists in relation to this app is its ads may take you to the following dangeorus sites:
- Malware domains.
- Fraudulent and fake versions of legitimate sites.
- Redirect loop URLs
- Survey scams.
- Scamming sites.
- Fake tech support sites.
- Sites that offer scam software for download.
This is the main reason why apps, like SurfManaged are classified as indirectly risky for your Mac and should be removed from it ASAP.
Remove SurfManaged from Your Device
In order to remove SurfManaged from your Mac, we would suggest following the laid-out instructions underneath this article. They have been created with the primary idea to best assist you in deleting SurfManaged software from your Mac and your browsers. For the most effective automatic removal, experts do advise turning to anti-malware software. Such an application aims to scan your Mac effectively and remove any adware, trackers, and malware 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 SurfManaged files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SurfManaged, 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 SurfManaged 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 SurfManaged:
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 SurfManaged. 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 SurfManaged. 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 SurfManaged 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 SurfManaged. 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 SurfManaged – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SurfManaged-FAQ
What is SurfManaged on your Mac?
The SurfManaged 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 SurfManaged?
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 SurfManaged?
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 SurfManaged Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SurfManaged 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 SurfManaged?
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 SurfManaged threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.