How to uninstall StandBoost app/extension from Mac

What is StandBoost

StandBoost is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware family. The StandBoost adware can cause all kind of problems within internet browsers, it can cause unwanted redirects, unclosable windows or inline text links with ads you do not want. These ads are used to promote sales or web-traffic to malicious web-sites or publisher in order to generate money. So, if you experience unwanted ads and unclosable windows in your internet browser, it is advised to check your computer for adware software or potentially unwanted programs.

Another reason why you need to remove adware software is its online data-tracking activity. StandBoost can gather and transmit sensitive info without your permission. It can track information about web-sites visited, internet browser and system information, and your Apple Mac IP address.

How does StandBoost get on your machine

Adware is bundled with certain free software. So always read carefully the install screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install procedure. Additionally pay attention for additional programs which are being installed along with the main program. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, use an ad blocking program that will help to stop malicious and illegitimate web-sites.

Threat Summary

Name	StandBoost, StandBoost 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Adware/Adload!OSX, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware.MAC.Generic and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake update tools, malicious popup advertisements and torrent downloads
Symptoms	When you go to a web site, you are occasionally redirected to another website that you do not intend to visit, advertisements appear in places they shouldn’t be, new entries appear in your Applications folder, an unexpected extension appears in your web-browser, unexpected changes in your browser like using a new default search provider, slow browsing Internet.
Removal	StandBoost removal guide

How to remove StandBoost adware

There are a few methods which can be used to delete StandBoost adware. But, not all PUPs such as this adware software can be completely uninstalled utilizing only manual methods. In many cases you are not able to remove any adware utilizing standard Mac OS options. In order to remove adware you need complete a few manual steps and use reliable removal tools. Most IT security professionals states that MalwareBytes utility is a right choice. The free application is able to detect and remove StandBoost from your Apple Mac and revert back your web-browser settings to defaults.

To remove StandBoost, perform the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by StandBoost
2. Uninstall StandBoost associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove StandBoost related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove StandBoost from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove profiles created by StandBoost

StandBoost can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware software.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to StandBoost.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac device, which is normal.

Uninstall StandBoost associated software by using the Finder

It’s of primary importance to identify and remove browser hijackers, PUPs and adware software through ‘Applications’ section of your Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will display a list of all applications installed on your Apple Mac. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown apps. Right click to suspicious program and select “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove StandBoost related files and folders

Now you need to try to find StandBoost related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

StandBoost creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.StandBoost.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.StandBoost.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.StandBoost.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.StandBoost.service.app

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for StandBoost generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: macsearch.plist, com.StandBoost.service.plist, search.plist, installapp.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.net-preferences.plist and com.machelper.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for StandBoost generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.StandBoost.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for StandBoost generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for StandBoost generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.StandBoost.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual StandBoost removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware software can be not completely removed. We suggest that use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to scan the Mac device. Moreover, this program will allow you to remove browser hijackers, PUPs, adware and toolbars that your computer may be affected too.

Installing the MalwareBytes Free is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes from the following link.

After the download is complete, close all apps and windows on your MAC. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown below.

Now press the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes program will scan through the whole MAC system for the StandBoost adware. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Free is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malicious software.

After that process is done, MalwareBytes Anti Malware will show a list of all items detected by the scan. Review the report and then click the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Free will remove StandBoost adware and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine.

Remove StandBoost from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still seeing StandBoost adware software that won’t go away, you might have malicious add-ons installed on your browser. Check your internet browser for unwanted extensions using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Google Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. When the drop-down menu appears, choose ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of StandBoost adware by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with StandBoost adware removal, you need to reset Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

If you want to get rid of undesired advertisements, web browser redirects and pop-ups, then install an ad-blocker program such as AdGuard. It can block unwanted ads and pop ups, stop websites from tracking your online activities when using the Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari. So, if you like browse the Internet, but you don’t like unwanted advertisements and want to protect your Apple Mac from harmful websites, then the AdGuard is your best choice.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

Once downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted pop up advertisements, block malicious and misleading websites.

Finish words

Once you have finished the guide above, your machine should be clean from this adware and other malware. The Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome will no longer display any unwanted ads when you browse the Internet. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.

Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the StandBoost adware.