How to remove DataCharacter Mac virus

DataCharacter is a dangerous Mac application that steals data and inserts malicious ads

DataCharacter is an adware-type application stemming from a well-established malware family known as Adload, versions of which have spread around the internet since at least 2017.^[1] Users install the virus inadvertently after being tricked by a fake Flash Player installer prompt or whenever they engage in downloads of illegal application installers from insecure sources online.

Once on the system, DataCharacter installs itself with elevated permissions, which allow it to stay on the device as long as possible – it implements new Login Items, establishes new Profiles, etc. Probably the most significant change visible to the users is the extension installed on Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another used browser.

With the help of this virus component, the homepage and search provider are altered to something else. Users are then forced to see alternative search results filled with sponsored links and ads, and the overall number of phishing websites and malicious links they encounter can be significant. The affected users are more likely to install other potentially unwanted applications and be tricked into subscribing to fake services or suffer from privacy risks.

Distribution and prevention

Evidently, users do not install potentially unwanted or malicious applications intentionally, and DataCharacter is not an exception. Just as previous versions of this malware strain, this one is installed with the help of phishing^[2] and deception. These are two primary delivery methods of the virus:

• Fake Flash Player updates
• Illegal software installers.

Flash Player updates have long been one of the main attack vectors of malware targeting Macs. When dealing with these phishing messages, please remember that all of them are fake since the plugin has been discontinued by Adobe for a while now, so all requests to update it are fake.^[3]

It is also vital to stay away from pirated software installers, peer-to-peer networks, and similar high-risk websites. Keep in mind that these sites are always poorly protected, allowing cybercriminals to spread their malware freely.

Capabilities of DataCharacter

Versions of Adload were spreading around for almost half a decade now and, despite some minor changes, cybercriminals seem to change little from version to version. They use rather simple distribution and operation techniques that seem to work very well on Apple devices, hence the strain is so widespread.

While the main foal of DataCharacter is to show advertisements and earn pay-per-click revenue, there are plenty of other elements that comprise it in order to support its main activities. For example, the usage of AppleScript allows the virus to completely avoid the detection of built-in Mac defenses such as XProtext and Gatekeeper, allowing it to remain on the system without being noticed.

The browser extension component of the infection also helps it to fulfill its duties – not only can it insert advertisements when users browse the web but it can also read personal information typed by users, for example, passwords or credit card details. Of course, this functionality is particularly dangerous and might result in privacy issues or even identity theft.

DataCharacter removal

Adlaod variants use the built-in AppleScript to stay on the system for as long as possible. Therefore, the easiest way would be to install a third-party security solution, such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, and perform a full system scan to remove the infection properly. Manual steps are provided below.

Step 1. Remove the main program

The virus consists of several components scattered across the system, which are all intertwined. Due to this, some of the steps below might simply not be possible without eliminating certain elements first. Let's start with the main application.

• Open Applications folder
• Select Utilities
• Double-click Activity Monitor
• Here, look for suspicious processes and use the Force Quit command to shut them down
• Go back to the Applications folder
• Find the malicious entry and place it in Trash.

Step 2. Get rid of persistence elements

Deleting unwanted profiles and Login Items is necessary when trying to eliminate malware from a Mac.

• Go to Preferences and pick Accounts
• Click Login items and delete everything suspicious
• Next, pick System Preferences > Users & Groups
• Find Profiles and remove unwanted profiles from the list.

Step 3. Delete leftover files

The PLIST files are small config files, also known as “Properly list.” They hold various user settings and hold information about certain applications. In order to remove the virus, you have to find the related PLIST files and remove them.

• Select Go > Go to Folder.
• Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
• In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
• Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and delete all the related .plist files.

Step 4. Take care of the browser

Regardless of whether you removed DataCharacter manually or automatically, browsers may remain vulnerable as long as the extension is still attached. Note that automatic removal should take care of the extension as well, so you would have to worry about this next step.

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• In the new window, pick Extensions.
• Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

Once done, you should clean cookies and other web data to prevent unwanted data tracking. For that, you can employ FortectIntego maintenance utility or perform the steps manually:

• Click Safari > Clear History…
• From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
• Confirm with Clear History.

In case you were unable to remove the malicious browser extension, you can opt for resetting the web browser instead. It would get rid of all the extensions installed, so remember to reinstall the ones you want to keep.

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• Go to the Advanced tab.
• Tick the Show Develop menu in the menu bar.
• From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.

If you are using Google Chrom or Mozilla Firefox on your Mac, you will find the instructions on how to clean or reset them manually below.