How to remove BufferKey

BufferKey is a Mac virus variant that targets users' personal data

BufferKey is a potentially unwanted application that belongs to the Adload malware family, which mostly spreads via software bundle packages and fake Flash Player updates. As a result, Mac users allow the malicious app to access their devices after they type in their Apple login information into a warning prompt. Essentially, the BufferKey virus is a Trojan^[1] when it comes to its distribution, as users never intend to install the app in the first place.

Once inside the system, BufferKey adware would establish a new profile and install a new browser extension on Safari, Google Chrome, or another web browser. Most of the users would also notice homepage and search engine changes that are most commonly set to Safe Finder or similar useless tools. All searches perfumed by such a hijacked browser would also cause several akamaihd.net redirects to unknown sites.

BufferKey is just one of many Adload apps that attack Mac users regularly – ArchimedesLookup, SectionBrowser, AgileHelp, ProductEvent, and many others, are just a few clones that operate in the exact same way. All the apps can be recognized by a blue/green/red magnifying glass icon that is presented next to the browser extension and the installed program. However, similarities do not end there.

By using misleading and deceptive distribution tactics, the BufferKey virus manages to trick many users into downloading this malicious app. Once installed, the app can establish several persistence components within the macOS by abusing the built-in AppleScript. For example, while checking various locations on the computer, users might find new login items, profiles, or malicious .plist files. These changes can greatly diminish the chances of successful BufferKey removal.

There are more malicious traits of the BufferKey adware. Since the app is installed with elevated permissions, it can grant itself access to various information that is located on the computer. For example, the extension that is clipped to the browser is capable of reading all types of sensitive data that you type while using the internet – the description states:

Permissions for “BufferKey 1.0”

Webpage contents
Can read sensitive information from webpages, including passwords, phone numbers, and credit cards on: all webpages

Browsing History
Can see when you visit: all webpages

As you can see, BufferKey acts a lot like malware, and, according to research, can often be associated with more serious malware infections such as Shlayer Trojan (security experts from Kaspersky found^[2] that the malware is present on 10% of Macs worldwide). Thus, it is not uncommon for infected individuals to find more malicious extensions and apps installed on their computers.

Since the main goal of BufferKey is to remain on the system for as long as possible and operate as adware, those infected can experience a variety of bothersome browser behavior while infected. Adware specializes in displaying users plenty of intrusive commercial content that the malicious actors monetize on. Thus, expect to see a lot of popups, redirects, hyperlinks, altered search results, and other ads during your browsing sessions.

You might not be able to uninstall BufferKey until you find and delete all the components that the malicious app placed on your system. However, this might be very time consuming and difficult, so you should instead trust security applications to do the job for you. If you experience lag or slowdowns after malware termination, you can delete junk and speed up your Mac with tools such as FortectIntego.

Macs are secure machines, as long as you don't let malware in

A myth that Macs don't get infected with malware has been around for years. While it is true that macOS is immune to some types of parasites (for example, worms), cybercriminals have been focusing on this platform much more and created malicious apps designed to exploit users. Macs offer a variety of built-in defenses, including Gatekeeper or XProtect. However, these built-in security options are not unbreakable, as users can be tricked into letting the infection in.

If you download an app from an unapproved source, macOS will ask you to enter your credentials. Of course, if it is a malicious app, you would never do it. However, if you believe that the app is legitimate (for example, you are installing a pirated version of MS Office suite, or you were told that your Flash Player is out of date),^[3] you will allow it to gain access to your device.

Hence, you should not visit high-risk websites such as torrents, as they are often filled with malware-laden installs. Besides, Flash Player is an outdated plugin that is no longer required to play multimedia on websites. Another important point is keeping your macOS up to date, as cybercriminals might use exploits to break in.

Remove BufferKey and all its components at once

Changed browser settings typically do not indicate a serious security threat. Nonetheless, any unapproved action on your computer should be investigated, as it can be related to malicious applications that might download and install other malware and compromise the system further. That is why timely BufferKey removal is very important. However, many users found that the process can be much more difficult than anticipated.

As previously mentioned, the BufferKey virus might set persistence mechanisms on your Mac. Therefore, moving it to Trash as you do with legitimate apps might not be enough. If you want to get rid of all the threat's components manually, you should check the following locations and delete all the related items:

• System Preferences > Accounts> Login Items
• System Preferences > Users&Groups > Profiles
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• ~/Library/Application Support
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons

If this process seems too complicated for you or you wish to remove BufferKey quickly, you should instead rely on powerful anti-malware instead. Besides, you can also reset your browsers if the extension is still present after a full computer scan.