Remove IndexerType Adware from Your Mac Immediately

What is IndexerType?

IndexerType is a rogue application discovered by cybersecurity researchers during a routine inspection of file submissions to VirusTotal. It has been identified as adware from the AdLoad malware family, a notorious group of advertising-supported software designed specifically to generate revenue through intrusive advertising methods.

Although IndexerType may seem harmless at first glance, its presence on your system can result in significant risks to your privacy, online safety, and even financial well-being. This type of software is commonly installed without clear user consent and is capable of flooding your device with unwanted advertisements, slowing down your Mac, and potentially leading to further malware infections.

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Threat Summary

Attribute	Details
Name	Ads by IndexerType
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Associated Email	Not applicable
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h)
Symptoms of Infection	Mac becomes sluggish, frequent pop-up ads, redirects to suspicious websites
Damage	Data tracking, unwanted ads, privacy invasion, redirection to unsafe websites, possible identity theft
Distribution Methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software bundles, torrent downloads
Danger Level	High

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How IndexerType Works?

Once installed, IndexerType integrates into the system to serve ads such as banners, pop-ups, coupons, and overlays on webpages you visit. It may also inject ads into the desktop interface or alter how web content is displayed. Even if the ads aren’t immediately visible, the adware may still operate silently in the background, collecting sensitive information or preparing to deploy other malicious software.

One of the key dangers of IndexerType is that it can promote scam pages and unverified software. Some of these ads might launch malicious scripts designed to download malware automatically without user interaction – a serious threat for any Mac user.

Although this particular AdLoad variant did not show browser-hijacking behavior during analysis, the malware family it’s associated with is known for such capabilities, meaning future versions could become even more intrusive.

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Privacy and Security Risks

Adware like IndexerType often comes with data-tracking functionalities. It may monitor your browsing habits, search history, cookies, login credentials, financial details, and personally identifiable information. This data is often shared with or sold to third parties – sometimes shady advertisers or even cybercriminals – putting your identity and security at risk.

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Method 1: Manually Removing Adware from Your Mac

Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Applications

1. Open Finder and navigate to Applications.
2. Carefully review the list and look for applications you don’t recognize or didn’t install.
3. Drag any suspicious applications to the Trash.
4. Empty the Trash to ensure they’re permanently removed.
5. Open System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items.
6. Remove any unknown startup programs by selecting them and clicking the - button.

Step 2: Remove Unwanted Browser Extensions

Safari

1. Open Safari and click Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Look for any extensions you don’t recognize and uninstall them.
3. Go to History > “Clear History” to remove traces of adware-related activity.

Google Chrome

1. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Extensions.
2. Find any unfamiliar extensions and remove them.
3. Reset Chrome by going to Settings > Reset settings > “Restore settings to their original defaults.”

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the three-line menu and go to Add-ons and themes.
2. Remove any unknown extensions.
3. Reset Firefox via Help > More troubleshooting information > “Refresh Firefox.”

Step 3: Delete Malicious Files and Folders

1. Open Finder, press Shift + Command + G, and enter the following locations:
   • ~/Library/Application Support/
   • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
   • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/
   • ~/Library/Preferences/
2. Look for suspicious files and remove them.

Step 4: Clear Your DNS Cache

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type the following command and hit Enter:
3. Enter your administrator password if prompted.

Step 5: Restart Your Mac

Restart your Mac to finalize the removal process.

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Method 2: Automatically Remove Adware with SpyHunter for Mac

If you prefer a hassle-free solution, SpyHunter for Mac can detect and eliminate adware efficiently.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Click the link below to download SpyHunter for Mac: Download SpyHunter Here.

Step 2: Install and Set Up SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded .dmg file.
2. Drag SpyHunter into the Applications folder.
3. Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.

Step 3: Run a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter.
2. Click Start Scan.
3. Wait for the scan to complete and review the detected threats.
4. Click Fix Threats to remove any adware found on your system.

Step 4: Restart Your Mac

Once SpyHunter has completed the removal, restart your Mac to ensure all traces of adware are gone.

Conclusion

IndexerType may appear as a simple advertising app, but its capabilities and associations with the AdLoad malware family make it a significant cybersecurity threat. It not only disrupts your browsing experience but also poses serious privacy risks, potentially exposing your data to malicious entities. Given its stealthy installation methods and its tendency to gather sensitive information, the best course of action is to identify its presence early and remove it from your system immediately.