What Is ValidNetBoost
ValidNetBoost is an application that is not classified as a virus but may turn out to be just as risky for your computer as such. The main reason for that is apps, like ValidNetBoost could display various kinds of adverts on your computer system, whose main purpose is to generate profit for the people who developed them via pay-per-click and other kinds of schemes. This is the problem with such apps because usually some of the ads shown could eventually take you to dangerous websites, like viruses or scam ones.
Read this article if you want to understand how you can remove ValidNetBoost from your Mac and clean your browsers up.
ValidNetBoost Summary
| Name | ValidNetBoost |
| 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 ValidNetBoost
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ValidNetBoost. |
ValidNetBoost Mac Redirect Activity Report
ValidNetBoost is a very similar application to Shopping Lovers, AuraSearchTab and Search Symphony. Most of these apps often share the same code as they are usually created by several groups of adware developers. The main way apps, like ValidNetBoost may be installed on your computer could be by being bundled together with freeware, like a media player, file converter and other such unwanted software. The main way this works is for ValidNetBoost to be optionally added as a “free extra” in one of the installation steps of such apps. The outcome of this is for this app to begin modifying your web browsers and to start showing the following types of pormoted content:
- Banners.
- Pop-up promotions.
- Notification ads.
- Browser redirects.
- Search result ads.
- Highlighted text promos.
Besides showing ads, the ValidNetBoost app may also collect information that helps it target the content it delivers. This is often done via cookies, tags, pixels and several other such trackers that could be utilized to obtain the following details concerning your browsing activity:
- Last visited pages.
- The browsing history of your active browsers.
- The search history.
- Mouse clicks and movements.
- Bookmarked websites.
The main risk concerning this program are not the trackers it uses, but the ads it shows. Since most of them go unchecked, there is a possibility that they could land you to several dangerous websites, for example:
- Scam sites.
- Fake software download URLs.
- Multiple browser redirects.
- Survey scams.
- Fake websites, designed to steal credentials (phishing).
- Virus websites.
- Tech support fraud.
This is the main reason why ValidNetBoost is the kind of app that should be removed from your Mac.
Remove ValidNetBoost from Your Device
ValidNetBoost can be effectively removed from your Mac if you follow the removal instructions that have been posted beneath this article. They are specifically made with the primary idea to best assist you in removing all of the files that are related to this program from your Mac and your web browsers. The most effective solution according to security experts is to remove ValidNetBoost using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program has been created with the main purpose to best detect and delete apps, like ValidNetBoost from your Mac, any other adware and malware and hence stop any ads shown as a result.
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 ValidNetBoost files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ValidNetBoost, 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 ValidNetBoost 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 ValidNetBoost:
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 ValidNetBoost. 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 ValidNetBoost. 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 ValidNetBoost 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 ValidNetBoost. 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 ValidNetBoost – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ValidNetBoost-FAQ
What is ValidNetBoost on your Mac?
The ValidNetBoost 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 ValidNetBoost?
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 ValidNetBoost?
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 ValidNetBoost Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ValidNetBoost 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 ValidNetBoost?
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 ValidNetBoost threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.