What Is Videostream?
Videostream is the name of a dangerous type of software, that has been created with the main idea to cause ads on Mac. The main issues with this software is that its developers aim to profit based on the ads they push on your computer. This is the main reason why it is strongly recommended to remove it from your device as these ads may lead to dangerous websites, like scams or malware.
Read this article to learn more information about Videostream and what it is you can do to delete it from your machine.
Videostream – Details
Name | Videostream |
Type | Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and the displaying of different unwanted contents and ads. |
Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down in terms of performance. Auto download of other PUPs may start. |
Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
Detection Tool |
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Why Do I See Videostream On My Mac?
You may have started seeing Videostream on your Mac due to several different reasons. One of those reasons is is you have clicked on some sort of suspicious website, which may land on your device as a result of a redirect or different reasons.
Videostream Virus – How Did I Get Infected
Videostream malware is the type of threat that may enter your Mac via different types of methods. The main of those include software bundling to other programs’ installers or malvertising via redirects to low-reputation and scareware websites.
Videostream Mac – What Does It Do?
Videostream may initially seem like a legitimate service, but the software that is behind it may use a lot of different types of scripts that may change the home page, new tab default search engine of your browsers and other settings on your macOS.
This is mainly done so that this software can bombard your device using different forms of ads, such as:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive push notifications.
Videostream may also take part in tracking your information using various forms of cookies and other such types of tracking objects, which may collect all sorts of data, even including personally identifiable information:
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your mouse movements.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is Videostream a Mac Virus?
Videostream is not classified as a virus for Mac, but an adware app. It may slow your Mac down with redirects and may cause a lot of different redirects to unknown websites.
Can Videostream Be Dangerous?
Videostream is the type of unwanted software, that may enter your device causing a lot of problems, including showing ads that may lead to risky sites, that do not have HTTPS or SSL, such as:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
What To Do If Your Mac Has Videostream?
If you see Videostream on your Mac, then our main recommendation is to focus on removing it as soon as possible and reverting your Mac back to normal plus to change all of your personal passwords and other data that may be exposed.
How to Protect Your Mac from Videostream?
If you want the best future protection from apps, like this one, our main advice is to follow the reccomended tips below:
- Make sure Videostream is fully removed using professional software.
- Change all your passwords from a safe device.
- Enable two-factor logins.
- Call your bank to change all credit card information if you use your Mac for online payments.
- Change your Wi-Fi password.
- Install a reputable anti-malware protection app on all your devices.
- Do not download apps from unknown sources.
How to Remove Videostream from Mac?
Videostream can be uninstalled from your Mac by scanning it using a professional anti-malware software. This is the type of security app that will thoroughly and automatically get rid of any malware from your Mac. Furthermore, you can use the steps in the guide below if you want to clean up your web browsers from any ads and extensions, in case you still see ads on them.
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 Videostream files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Videostream, 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 Videostream 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 Videostream:
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 Videostream. 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 Videostream. 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 Videostream 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 Videostream. 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 Videostream – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Videostream-FAQ
What is Videostream on your Mac?
The Videostream 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 Videostream?
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 Videostream?
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 Videostream Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Videostream 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 Videostream?
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 Videostream threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.