VersionTrust Mac virus (Free Guide)

What is VersionTrust Mac virus?

VersionTrust – a malicious application that can harm your Mac and compromise your safety

VersionTrust is a type of Mac malware that often gets installed inadvertently, typically when users are deceived into downloading a fraudulent Flash Player update or illicit software from untrustworthy websites. Those impacted by this malware are bombarded with malicious ads, redirects, and other disruptive content while surfing the web. Due to the numerous malicious files it deploys upon infiltration, removing VersionTrust can be quite challenging.

The initial sign of an infection is usually noticeable changes in the browser's behavior – be it Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. The VersionTrust extension may alter the homepage and new tab settings, preventing users from reverting to their preferred configurations. It might also replace the default search engine and result in an influx of issues like third-party data tracking and an increase in annoying advertisements.

Moreover, this malware has the capability to monitor users' personal data and can install additional malicious components without the user’s consent. VersionTrust belongs to the Adload family of malware, specifically designed for Macs and closely related to other significant threats such as the Shlayer Trojan.

More about the Adload family

For a long time, Mac users have enjoyed a reputation for being less vulnerable to malware compared to other operating systems. However, as Macs have become more popular, they have increasingly become targets for cybercriminals. While Macs typically face fewer threats from severe malware types like ransomware or rootkits, they are not spared from adware, which tends to be particularly aggressive on Mac systems compared to Windows.

VersionTrust, part of the Adload malware family, is a prime example of this aggressive adware. It is identifiable by its unique icon that features a magnifying glass on backgrounds that are often blue, teal, green, or gray. This malware makes its presence known quickly by altering browser settings in several ways, including changing the homepage to risky websites, redirecting web traffic, modifying default search engines, and bombarding users with intrusive ads.

Historically, although considered less harmful than other malware forms, adware like VersionTrust can still disrupt user experience significantly and prove difficult to remove. With the growing popularity of Macs, the risk of such adware infections continues to rise.

It is crucial for Mac users to remain alert and adopt preventive measures to safeguard their systems. This can involve installing trusted antivirus software, steering clear of dubious downloads, and regularly updating their operating systems and apps to fortify security against such threats.

How to remove the VersionTrust virus effectively?

VersionTrust consists of two main components that support its malicious activities: a browser extension and a system-level application. Both elements need to be thoroughly removed from your device to completely eliminate the malware and prevent its return.

Installation consent by the user often results in the application receiving elevated system permissions. Once installed, it utilizes AppleScript to deploy malicious files, establish new profiles and login items, and skillfully avoids detection by Mac's built-in protection mechanisms.

Given the significant damage this malware can inflict on your system, we advise using security software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes for automatic removal. This ensures that no remnants of the malware remain on your device, preventing a resurgence of the malware or its variants. However, we also offer a manual removal guide below, but remember, whether you opt for automatic or manual removal, resetting or thoroughly cleaning your browsers is essential.

Before attempting any removal, it's crucial to terminate all suspicious background processes that could impede the eradication of the malware:

Uninstall the main components of the virus

To carry out its harmful activities, Adload constantly operates background processes that start up as soon as the system boots. To avoid complications during removal, it's important to identify and shut down these processes:

• 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.

When malware infiltrates a system, it often creates new User profiles and Login items to maintain its presence. This could explain why you're having trouble removing the app or extension.

• 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.

Next, you should take care of the previously-mentioned Plist files and login items.

• 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.

Clean your browser

Once the VersionTrust malware is installed on a system, it automatically adds a browser extension to Safari or any other browser in use. This extension alters the homepage and new tab settings, directing users to unwanted sponsored links and advertisements.

To regain control of your browser and restore its original functionality, you need to remove the extension identified by a magnifying glass icon. However, the effectiveness of this removal can vary based on the malware's persistence tactics. If you find that removing the extension alone isn't successful, proceed to the additional steps outlined in the next section.

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

If you were unable to uninstall the extension in a regular way, you can reset Safari instead. It is easy to do:

• 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.

Your final step involves clearing the browser caches in Safari. If you're using the FortectIntego maintenance utility, you don’t need to do this manually. This tool can efficiently remove various junk files and trackers quickly and easily.

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

If you are using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as your browser, please follow the instructions provided below.