Skip to content
Spyware news
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Mac
  • Verified · Nov 2019

How to remove ScreenSaver.app

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Linas Kiguolis · Expert in social media

ScreenSaver.app – macOS-based adware that is programmed to promote a fake search provider searchbaron.com

ScreenSaver.app

ScreenSaver.app is categorized as adware[1] that targets macOS computer systems and promotes searchbaron.com. This fake search engine is known to provide search results from another legitimate provider – Bing by employing Amazon AWS Service. Furthermore, this is just a small part that ScreenSaver.app might be capable of. Adware programs are known for their advanced advertising skills that force various pop-up notifications straight on the user's computer screen and cause redirects during browsing sessions when web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari get infected.

Name ScreenSaver.app
Type Potentially unwanted program
Sub-type Adware application
Mission To promote other potentially unwanted applications such as searchbaron.com via Amazon AWS Service
OS-based This suspicious application targets macOS computer systems and appears in the Applications folder
Web browsers You might find browser helper objects in browser apps such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
Deletion Use anti-malware software or make use of manual removal guide below
Optimization To recover from PUP infection and ensure your Mac is running smoothly, use FortectIntego

ScreenSaver.app virus can appear in the Applications folder of a Mac machine and even create its own folder named “ScreenSaver”. Afterward, the adware hijacks browsers and installs major changes in the homepage and new tab search sections. Also, the program might add suspicious extensions, add-ons, and tracking objects.

Collecting non-personal information is another activity highly promoted by ScreenSaver.app and similar adware. The developers use browser cookies to track information related to users' online sessions and habits. The adware might be able to record data such as the IP number, saved bookmarks, websites entered, links/ads clicked, etc.

Afterward, ScreenSaver.app might use the information for delivering targeted advertisements. Do not be surprised is you get loaded with various offers to purchase rogue security software, just decline all of them. Besides, be careful not to get lured in various technical support scams or surveys/questionnaires.

Some parties provide surveys that require entering personally-identifiable information. We recommend avoiding any type of content that comes from ScreenSaver.app as there is no chance that it would be reliable. Besides, do not provide sensitive data to bogus sources as you might experience identity theft in the upcoming future.

ScreenSaver.app removal is the best option here to prevent unwanted activities from continuing. Removing the PUP might be an easier task if you scan the entire system in search of suspicious content first. After that, we recommend you employ FortectIntego to ensure best results after the infection.

Continuously, you can successfully remove ScreenSaver.app from your macOS and web browsers by carrying out the process in manual technique. Scroll down to the end of the article and there you will find manual guiding steps that should help you to get rid of the ad-supported application by yourself.

ScreenSaver.app virus

Avoiding adware is necessary if wanting to ensure full system stability

Injection of PUPs might decrease your computer's safety level as together with an adware program alongside comes the risk of highly-developed infections such as trojan or ransomware-related ones. However, in order to avoid third-party apps, you need to gain knowledge on how do they reach the targeted computer system. According to research, there might be several ways for a PUP to land on a machine/device:

  1. Software bundling. A lot of third-party developers employ this deceptive technique so that it could work for their own needs. Bundled freeware comes together with the adware and sneaks into the computer system when the user opts for the Basic/Recommended installation option. To secure your downloads, change the configuration to Custom/Advanced.
  2. Third-party ads/links. There are many unsecured sources all over the Internet that might promote suspicious applications by attractively advertising them. Avoid clicking on questionable content that is provided to you on the web.
  3. Fake updates. If you are a frequent visitor of third-party networks, you might be provided with fake adobe flash player upgrades. Do not get tricked by such content and if you ever get concerned about some type of software update, you can check it online.
  4. Software cracks.[2] If you like downloading products and services from p2p networks and various torrenting websites, you are very likely to end with an additional PUP. Skip these types of pages and get your software only from reliable sources and trustworthy developers.

Additionally, you should employ an AV tool for ultimate system protection. Choose reliable software to secure your computing and browsing work automatically. Antimalware products are able to block access to malicious websites, alert when something bad is happening, and prevent suspicious threats from reaching your machine.

The removal process of ScreenSaver.app from macOS

You can remove ScreenSaver.app from your macOS machine with the help of antimalware products or by using step-by-step guidelines that have been added to the end of this article. Keep in mind that the adware might fill your browsers with unexpected material that also needs to be eliminated in order to get rid of the cyber threat properly.

ScreenSaver.app removal requires full attention of the user and at least a little bit of experience in the cybersecurity sphere. According to experts from LosVirus.es,[3] it is necessary to clean every part of your machine and browser, otherwise, the ad-supported application might renew itself within the next start process.

If you think that you would not be able to uninstall ScreenSaver.app virus from your computer on your own, you should employ antivirus software and let the tool to complete the task for you. The result would be much more effective.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

Be the first to comment

Log in to post your comment
Log in to comment
Editor's pick · tested 2026

Fortect Intego

9.4 / 10 9.6 / 10 Best overall pick
  • Real-time ransomware shield
  • Free 14-day trial, no card
  • Cleans the threats listed above

Ad — we may earn a commission if you buy via this link.

Get protected →Get protected → Read our full review Read our full review

Still worried? Run a free check.

Scan a URL or domain in seconds — no install, no signup. Powered by 60+ engines.

Trusted by 2.4M+ readers this year.

Spyware news
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.