How to uninstall DataBoost app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is DataBoost

DataBoost is an adware application. Adware is a type of malicious software. When DataBoost hijacks your Apple Mac, it might carry out various harmful tasks. Some of the more common acts on computers include: it can display constant popup windows and/or annoying ads; it can redirect your browser to unsafe web-sites; it can slow down your MAC; it can alter internet browser settings.

Does adware software steal your personal data? The DataBoost adware can collect privacy data, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and ads;
• web-browser version information.

So, if you happen to encounter the adware, then be quick and take effort to remove it ASAP. Follow the few simple steps below to remove DataBoost adware. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

How does DataBoost get on your computer

Adware software actively distributed with free software, along with the install package of these programs. Therefore, it is very important, when installing an unknown application even downloaded from well-known site, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to choose the Manual, Advanced or Custom installation type. In this method, you can disable the installation of additional modules and apps and protect your Apple Mac from adware.

Threat Summary

Name	DataBoost, DataBoost 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Adware/Adload!OSX, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, MacOS.Agent-MT, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, ApplicUnwnt and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, malicious pop-up advertisements, torrent downloads and fake software updaters
Symptoms	When you go to a web page, you’re frequently redirected to another web site that you do not intend to visit, you experience a ton of of unexpected popup windows, your Apple Mac starts automatically installing unexpected apps, an unwanted toolbar appears in your web browser, your web browser home page has modified and you are unable to change it back, low ping but slow Internet.
Removal	DataBoost removal guide

How to Remove DataBoost adware (removal tutorial)

There are a simple manual steps below which will help you to remove DataBoost adware from your Mac computer. The most effective method to remove this adware is to follow the manual removal instructions and then run MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) automatic tool (it is free). The manual way will help to weaken this adware and these malware removal tools will completely get rid of adware software and return the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Safari settings to default.

To remove DataBoost, complete the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by DataBoost
2. Remove DataBoost related applications through the Finder
3. Remove DataBoost related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove DataBoost from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove profiles created by DataBoost

DataBoost can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with DataBoost.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Remove DataBoost related applications through the Finder

In order to get rid of PUPs, adware and browser hijackers, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed applications. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs. If yes, remove them off. Even if they are just a apps that you do not use, then removing them off will increase your MAC OS start up time and speed dramatically.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will open a list of all programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and delete any questionable and unknown programs. Right click to questionable program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another method 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, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove DataBoost related files and folders

Now you need to try to find DataBoost 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.

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

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

Some files created by DataBoost are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 DataBoost 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: com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.net-preferences.plist, installapp.plist, macsearch.plist, search.plist, com.DataBoost.service.plist and com.machelper.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Check for DataBoost 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.DataBoost.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for DataBoost 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 DataBoost 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.macsearch.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.DataBoost.system.plist, com.search.system.plist and com.machelper.system.plist. In most cases, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can get rid of DataBoost related files automatically with a help of MalwareBytes. We advise this free malware removal tool because it can easily remove toolbars, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes for Apple Mac.

When the downloading process is finished, close all applications and windows on your machine. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.

Once installation is complete, you’ll see window as on the image below.

Now click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Free application will scan through the whole MAC system for the DataBoost adware. When a malicious software, adware software or PUPs are found, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished.

Once MalwareBytes completes the scan, MalwareBytes will produce a list of unwanted programs and adware. In order to remove all items, simply click “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now delete DataBoost adware and move the selected items to the program’s quarantine.

Remove DataBoost from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to remove harmful extensions. This can delete DataBoost and fix some surfing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of DataBoost adware software by reset 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 problems with DataBoost adware software 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

It is also critical to protect your browsers from malicious web-pages and advertisements by using an adblocker program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.

1. AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3677 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block malicious and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

After completing the steps above, your MAC should be free from the DataBoost adware and other malware. The Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome will no longer display any unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help here.