What Is ToolIndexer Mac
ToolIndexer is a potentially unwanted app, or PUA. These programs include variosu forms of adware. They are designed with the primary purpose to show you at that lead to third-party websites of all kinds in order to make money. And by “all kinds” we mean that this could even include dangerous websites, like scams or even malware, because most adware developers are only interested in profit, which is what makes such apps risky.
Read this article if you want to understand more about the activities of ToolIndexer on your Mac and how you can get rid of it safely.
ToolIndexer Mac – Details
| Name | ToolIndexer |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your device begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by ToolIndexer
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ToolIndexer. |
ToolIndexer Mac – How Did I Get Infected
Primarily, apps, like ToolIndexer are from the AdLoad family of PUAs and they have similar names and are programmed the same way. These apps also include the recently spotted EdgeAdvanced, SelectorComponent and JumpSearch.
One of the main ways this family of applications is reported to affect Macs is to be downloaded by a webpage that is advertising a fake Adobe Flash Player update, like shown in the example image below:
Instead of an original update of Flash Player, you get the adware app.
Another way these programs often end up on Macs is also by being included in the installation of other free application you may have recently downloaded outside of the App Store. The way this works is these programs often pretend to be helpful software somewhere in the installation steps that are more concealed, like shown in the example below:
Is often difficult to spot such installation steps because they are concealed in the “Custom” install option.
ToolIndexer – What Does It Do?
The first activity of ToolIndexer when it gets installed on your Mac is to begin changing some settings of your web browsers so that it could display advertisements that can be of the following kinds:
- Redirects.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Intrusive push notifications.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
The usage of all kinds of tracking objects, like cookies, pixels, tags and others can also be seen when this app is installed:
These trackers are small files that are left on your Mac and used to obtain information about what you do online and you have no way of knowing if this data is shared or not. Such information includes the following types of data:
- Your mouse movements.
- Your mouse clicks.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- What you have visited.
- Your bookmarked websites.
Is ToolIndexer a Virus?
ToolIndexer is not a virus, but is still malware, even though it is classified as a low-risk type of threat. The main reason for that is the advertisements it shows that could lead to dangerous websites, such as:
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Rogue software sites.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Phishing pages.
These are the main risks that make ToolIndexer a problem and this is why experts advise removing such apps as soon as you possibly can.
How to Remove ToolIndexer from Mac?
In order to get rid of ToolIndexer from macOS and your web browser, we suggest following the steps below. They are created to help you find and delete this program either manually or automatically. Be advised, that for the most effective removal, it is a commonly recommended practice to scan your computer by using a professional anti-malware for Mac. Such a program is designed to contain the latest malware definitions and to thoroughly scan your Mac and delete any unwanted apps, trackers and viruses with high effectiveness.
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 ToolIndexer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ToolIndexer, 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 ToolIndexer 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 ToolIndexer:
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 ToolIndexer. 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 ToolIndexer. 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 ToolIndexer 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 ToolIndexer. 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 ToolIndexer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ToolIndexer-FAQ
What is ToolIndexer on your Mac?
The ToolIndexer 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 ToolIndexer?
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 ToolIndexer?
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 ToolIndexer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ToolIndexer 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 ToolIndexer?
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 ToolIndexer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.