How to remove VibeProfile Mac virus

VibeProfile is a malicious Mac application that can damage your computer and compromise your privacy

VibeProfile is a dangerous app you might find running on your system one day. The bad news is that it is a type of malware that stems from the notorious Adload family, which already has hundreds of versions under its belt. The threat only affects Mac systems and specializes in monetizing advertisements by inserting a man-in-the-middle^[1] proxy into the system, which allows cybercriminals to redirect traffic through predetermined services.

As a result, users infected with the VibeProfile virus are more likely to encounter phishing^[2] messages, misleading adverts, and other types of malicious content. Likewise, with the help of the browser extension, the app can change users' browser settings, such as the homepage and the default search provider.

To make matters worse, malware employs the built-in AppleScript to perform actions without users' knowledge or consent. For example, the browser extension can track various personal details (including passwords) and can't usually be eliminated regularly. VibeProfile might also result in additional malicious payloads being delivered behind users' backs.

Adload distribution techniques 

VibeProfile virus infection might come as a surprise to many, as people never install it intentionally. Instead, plenty of social engineering tricks are used to make people install it themselves without realizing it. Below you will find two may include methods how you might have infected your Mac with this threat.

Fake Flash Player updates

Malware creators often use fake messages that encourage users to install Flash to access content – people are told that an update needs to be installed or that they are missing the plugin and need to install it before they proceed. Indeed, the app was used for many years and became synonymous with all multimedia content online.

However, the software was discontinued by its creator, Adobe, at the end of 2022^[3] and is no longer supported. Also, most modern browsers nowadays have the technology already – they no longer use Flash for years. Therefore, all claims that you need to install or update Flash are fake and are likely to result in malware infection – you should immediately close the page that asks you to do so and not interact with it.

Pirated software bundles

Pirated applications have been around for many years, as many people are willing to bypass the legitimate purchase process and instead acquire an application for free. Unfortunately, this comes with many security risks, and most people are well aware of that, yet they still visit torrent sites, peer-to-peer networks, and similar places.

From fake “Download” buttons, malicious scripts, or ads to disguised installers, there are numerous ways how one could get infected with malware on these sites. VibeProfile might be bundled along with other pirated software as well. Thus, please stay away from illegal software altogether.

Previous versions

Adload is among the most common Mac infections out there. It has been around since at least 2017 and continues to be changed and improved over time. Versions of the malware use a distinctive naming pattern, which includes a combination of two or three words, such as “Navigate,” “Operation,” “System,” “Lookup,” and more.

Just recently, we covered its versions like HerculesLookup, AnalyzerSystem, and ComputingInvolve – they are very similar to one another. If you are having doubts about whether you are infected with Adload, you should check whether the app uses a distinctive magnifying glass icon, usually placed on a green, blue, teal, or, more recently, gray background.

It is also worth noting that the distribution via fake Flash Player installers strikes some similarities with other strains. To be more precise, the “Installer.App” installer is also used in other malware campaigns, including Bundlore and Shlayer Trojan, which might point out that the creators of these threats are the same.

Removal process explained

The VibeProfile virus consists of two components, which include the browser extension and the main app. Along with these, there are plenty of malicious files, and other components dropped on the system, which may result in manual removal being infective if not performed correctly.

For this reason, we strongly recommend you perform automatic elimination with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes security software – it can find all the malicious components on the system and check it for additional infections. It is worth noting that Adload variants are commonly installed in bulk, which means that there could be additional viruses on your device.

If you choose to remove the virus manually, you can proceed with our prepared instructions below. Note that you should clean your browser regardless of whether you picked the automatic or manual elimination method.

The main app

It is not uncommon for malware to run background processes to operate as intended by its authors. Before proceeding with the removal of the main application, you should first make sure that these processes do not hinder your goal, so access the Activity Monitor and shut them down as follows:

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

The PLIST files are small config files, also known as “Properly list.” They hold various user settings and hold information about certain applications.

• 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.

Upon infiltration, the virus might establish new User profiles and Login items for persistence. This might be the reason why you can't get rid of the app or the 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.

Take care of the browser

The web browser cleaning process should not be ignored, as a lot is going on there, considering that the VibeProfile Mac virus relies on these apps to deliver ads to users, monetizing the process. The removal of the extension is mandatory, as it allows the virus to harvest user passwords, credit card details, or any other personal information typed into the browser on any webpage visited.

You might not be able to remove the extension in a regular way, as it may remain grayed out in browser settings. If that is the case, we recommend resetting the browser altogether. Also, we recommend running an FortectIntego optimization utility that can get rid of cookies and other trackers that passively gather data about you. You can also find manual instructions below.