TopicFirst is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the Adware family. How does adware work? By definition, adware software is a piece of apps which presents ads on a PC. However, people basically use the word ‘adware’ to describe a type of malicious software that shows unwanted advertisements to the user. In many cases, this kind of adware do not have any uninstall procedures and can use technologies that are similar to those used by malicious software to penetrate the computer.
Unwanted ads
The worst is, the TopicFirst adware can install a component which enables its creator to track which web pages you visit, which products you look at upon those pages. They are then able to select the type of advertisements they display you. So, if you had adware on your MAC OS, there is a good chance you have another that is collecting and sharing your privacy data with third parties, without your consent.
Threat Summary
| Name | TopicFirst, Topic First 1.0 app |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popup virus, pop-ups, pop-up ads |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | TopicFirst removal guide |
How does Adware get on your Apple Mac
Adware usually spreads bundled with free software and install themselves, with or without your knowledge, on your MAC system. This happens especially when you are installing a freeware. The application installation package tricks you into accepting the setup of third-party software, which you don’t really want. Moreover, certain paid software may also install additional programs that you do not want! Therefore, always download free software and paid programs from reputable download web pages. Use ONLY custom or manual installation mode and never blindly press Next button.
Thus, it is clear that the presence of adware on your MAC system is not desirable, and you need to clean up your MAC immediately. Follow the few simple steps below in order to delete TopicFirst adware.
Remove TopicFirst
As with removing adware, malicious software or PUPs, there are few steps you may do. We suggest trying them all. If you do only one part of the instructions, then it should be use malicious software removal utility, because it should delete adware and block any further infection. But to completely get rid of TopicFirst adware you’ll have to at least reset your browser settings like search engine, new tab and start page to default state, remove all unwanted and suspicious applications, and delete adware by malware removal utilities. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to exit your browser or restart your machine.
To remove TopicFirst, follow the steps below:
- How to remove TopicFirst without any software
- Automatic Removal of TopicFirst adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to remove TopicFirst without any software
In this section of the post, we have posted the steps that will help to remove TopicFirst manually. Although compared to removal utilities, this solution loses in time, but you donβt need to install anything on your machine. It will be enough for you to follow the detailed instructions with pictures. We tried to describe each step in detail, but if you realized that you might not be able to figure it out, or simply do not want to change the Windows and web browser settings, then itβs better for you to use utilities from trusted developers, which are listed below.
Uninstall TopicFirst related software through the Finder
One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware software is to check your Apple Mac installed programs screen and look for unwanted and questionable apps. If there are any programs you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should uninstall them. If that doesnβt work, then you may need to use adware removal utility like MalwareBytes AntiMalware.
- Open the Finder.
- Click “Applications”.
- It will display a list of all applications installed on the computer.
- Scroll through the all list, and uninstall dubious and unknown apps. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
- Drag the suspicious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Empty Trash.
Remove TopicFirst adware from Chrome
Use the Reset internet browser utility of the Google Chrome to reset all its settings like homepage, search engine by default and newtab to original defaults. This is a very useful tool to use, in the case of adware infection.
- First start the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will display the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
- Next press the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is finished, your internet browser’s search engine, startpage and newtab will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove TopicFirst adware from Safari
If you find that Safari browser settings such as search engine by default, home page and newtab page having been modified by TopicFirst adware software, then you may restore your settings, via the reset internet browser procedure.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown addons from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove TopicFirst from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web-browser settings
The Mozilla Firefox reset will get rid of the unwanted TopicFirst ads, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. When using the reset feature, your personal information such as passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
First, run the Firefox and click 
button. It will display the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as shown on the image below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will show the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will start a process to fix your problems that caused by the TopicFirst adware. Once, it is complete, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of TopicFirst adware
Spyware, adware, potentially unwanted applications and hijacker infections can be difficult to get rid of manually. Do not try to remove this applications without the help of malware removal tools. In order to fully remove adware software from your computer, use professionally made tool such as MalwareBytes.
Automatically get rid of TopicFirst adware with MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM)
We recommend using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). You may download and install MalwareBytes Free to find adware software and thereby remove TopicFirst ads from your web-browsers. When installed and updated, this free malware remover automatically finds and removes all threats exist on the computer.
Installing the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) from the link below. Save it to your Desktop.
20842 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the download is done, close all apps and windows on your MAC OS. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.
Once setup is finished, you will see window like below.
Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the TopicFirst adware software. This process can take some time, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will scan for threats exist on your MAC OS.
Once finished, it will open the Scan Results. Review the report and then click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The Malwarebytes will now get rid of TopicFirst adware and move the selected items to the Quarantine.
How to stay safe online
Use ad blocker application like AdGuard in order to stop advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your Apple Mac performance and impact your MAC OS security. Browse the Net anonymously and stay safe online!
- Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the link below. Save it directly to your Microsoft Windows Desktop.
AdGuard for Mac download
3677 downloads
Author: Β© Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- When the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you run your MAC system, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block harmful or misleading web pages.
Finish words
Now your Apple Mac should be free of the TopicFirst adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up ads and annoying harmful web-pages) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new adwares and other malicious software).
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of TopicFirst ads from the Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome, then ask for help here here.
