What Is SwitcherGuard Mac
SwitcherGuard is an application that has been reported by security experts to be regarded as potentially unwanted software. Programs, like SwitcherGuard may have the capability of performing multiple ad-supported activities that may result in risks for your Mac. The main problems with SwitcherGuard are the ads it shows. Since these ads are purely displayed for profit, they may often redirect you to websites that may be dangerous for your Mac.
This is why we strongly recommend that you read the following article. It contains more information on how to clean up both your web browsers and your Mac from apps, like SwitcherGuard.
SwitcherGuard Summary
| Name | SwitcherGuard |
| 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 SwitcherGuard. |
SwitcherGuard Mac Redirect Activity Report
Just like BoostConsole, InstaQuick and StateProgress, SwitcherGuard is also regarded as a potentially risky software that may appear on your Mac. The main way these apps propagate is if they get included in an install step of another freeware you may have downloaded recently. Such apps include free file converters, image or video editing apps and other useful free software. Once downloaded, they may have the SwitcherGuard app somewhere in the “Custom” installation’s advanced steps.
Once SwitcherGuard is installed on your Mac, it may begin to change settings, like your new tab, home page and other such default sites. The outcome of this is SwitcherGuard assumes power over your browsers to help it display the following advertisements:
- Banners shown on the sites you visit.
- Push notification promotions.
- Browser pop-ups.
- Third-party redirections.
- Search results advertisements.
- Ads on highlighted text.
SwitcherGuard may be responsible for the following trackers being deployed on your computer:
- Pixels.
- Tags.
- Locators.
- Cookies.
These trackers are often utilized to obtain the following information from your Mac:
- The last pages you checked.
- Browsing history.
- What you have searched for.
- Where you type, click and do on your browser.
- Favourite websites visited most often.
Ads, like the ones you see by SwitcherGuard, are often known to be risky in some scenarios. Since they are mainly created with the idea to generate profit via pay-per-click and other such schemes, be advised that sometimes they may take you to the following dangerous websites:
- Viruses plus other kinds of malicious software.
- Tech Support scam sites.
- Scam domains.
- Sites that offer rogue and hoax software download.
- Schemes that perform tons of redirects to suspicious pages.
- Fake survey advertisements.
- Phishing web pages.
This is the main reason why SwitcherGuard is classified as potentially unwanted and its removal from your Mac is reccomended.
Remove SwitcherGuard from Your Mac
If you want to remove SwitcherGuard from your Mac we would definitely recommend that you follow the removal steps that are posted beneath this article. They are made to assist you in getting rid of this software either manually or automatically. For the manual removal of SwitcherGuard the steps below should be able to help, but it takes some experience in malware removal to do them. For automatic removal, security professionals always advise downloading and running a scan of your Mac using anti-malware software. Such an app is specifically designed to best help detect and get rid of any malicious software, adware and trackers from macOS automatically.
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 SwitcherGuard files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SwitcherGuard, 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 SwitcherGuard 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 SwitcherGuard:
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 SwitcherGuard. 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 SwitcherGuard. 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 SwitcherGuard 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 SwitcherGuard. 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 SwitcherGuard – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SwitcherGuard-FAQ
What is SwitcherGuard on your Mac?
The SwitcherGuard 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 SwitcherGuard?
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 SwitcherGuard?
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 SwitcherGuard Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SwitcherGuard 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 SwitcherGuard?
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 SwitcherGuard threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.