ShareAdvantage Mac virus (Free Instructions)

What is ShareAdvantage Mac virus?

ShareAdvantage is a malicious application designed for Macs

ShareAdvantage uses a distinctive magnifying glass icon

ShareAdvantage is considered to be an adware-type application that exclusively targets Mac operating systems. Despite this categorization, many security vendors often refer to Adload (the family that it belongs to) variants as malware or even Trojans. This is not a coincidence, as the application does much more than your typical adware or a browser hijacker.

First of all, the ShareAdvantage virus spreads in methods commonly used by malware, which means that users never install it intentionally. Fake Flash Player or other software updates are commonly used, where people are told that the software needs to be updated due to numerous reasons, for example, to allow multimedia playback. Alternatively, malware can also spread along with pirated application installers or software cracks.

Once installed, the malware uses the built-in AppleScript in other to insert its malicious components into the system and allow itself higher permissions. This move also tricks Mac's built-in protection features such as Gatekeeper and Xprotect,^[1] which allows for it to stay on the system longer.

In the meantime, ShareAdvantage would hijack Safari, Google Chrome, or another web browser by inserting an extension with a distinctive magnifying glass icon, which lately has been coming on a gray background. Previous Adload versions, such as UpgradedPlatform or EdgeManagement, use teal background instead.

The extension can change browser settings by setting the homepage/new tab address to an alternative one, such as Safe Finder. This ensures that users would receive an excessive amount of ads, which would manifest as revenue to malware authors (it's their main goal). The app usually can't be removed in normal ways and needs precise steps to succeed. Below we provide all the required steps to get rid of this infection for good.

Distribution and avoidance

Adload is among the most prevalent adware families attacking Apple devices along with Bundlore and a few others. Its success relies on simple yet effective methods of persistence, as well as distribution. The best way to deal with infections is not to get infected in the first place, as after it's too late, the situation might not be without consequences – personal data leak, other malware infections, financial losses, and similar issues are all a possibility.

ShareAdvantage virus might be spread in several methods, although the most common ones include:

• Pirated software bundles
• Fake updates
• Other misleading ads.

It goes without saying that visiting pirated software distributor websites is not only illegal but also very dangerous. Installers might be malicious; ads embedded within these sites commonly lead to other dangerous places, such as spoofing or phishing websites. Thus, stay away from such places in the first place.

Adload versions spread via fake Flash Player updates, among other methods

When it comes to fake Flash Player updates, you should note that the plugin is no longer supported by Adobe – it has been discontinued due to it being prone to exploits through vulnerabilities^[2] and its name usage in malware delivery. Thus, if you ever see a request for an update, never do it through unofficial sources – always check the URL of the page.

Remove malicious software from your Mac

First of all, we recommend you run a scan with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, or another powerful anti-malware to ensure that all malicious components are removed automatically. This way, you won't have to proceed with rather tedious manual removal, which might result in the virus coming back if not fully eliminated. If you still want to continue, you should start with the following:

• Open Applications folder
• Select Utilities
• Double-click Activity Monitor
• Here, look for suspicious processes and use the Force Quit command to shut them down.

Your next task is to remove the main application that should be moved to Trash – just like you do with all the other apps:

• From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
• In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
• Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

If the steps above were unsuccessful, you can proceed by eliminating Login items and malicious profiles – proceed with the steps below:

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

Finally, you have to get rid of the leftover files. Plist files especially are important to eliminate correctly, as they can help reinstate the virus afterward.

• 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.

Remove malicious components from your system and browser

Regardless of whether you chose the manual or automatic ShareAdvantage removal method, you should always check your web browser to ensure that it's clean. Cookies,^[3] for example, might remain on your browser for years if not removed, continue tracking activities by third parties. Besides, since the extension might start gathering sensitive information such as passwords, you should make sure all its elements are gone.

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

Next, make sure you delete browser cookies and other components to prevent data trackers from continuing their job. You can easily perform this task automatically with FortectIntego, a maintenance utility that can clean your system from all the leftover files.

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

If you are unable to delete the extension in a regular way, you can reset the browser to ensure it is uninstalled properly. Perform the following steps:

• 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 Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, please use the instructions below.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.