Q. Pagefinder app/extension help. I did some searching on the Internet and can’t seem to find the information needed to uninstall it manually. How to get this off my machine. If anyone has any tips for me I would greatly appreciate it.
A. You probably downloaded and installed an adware (also known as ‘adware software’) or PUP (potentially unwanted program) that makes that happen. Adware is short for ‘ad supported’ software. Additionally, some malicious software has adware software built into the application. Adware shows unwanted advertisements that appear in unclosable windows or sponsored links on computer. In order to display unwanted advertisements as often as possible adware software can change your internet browser settings. You may even find that your Apple Mac settings are hijacked without your conscious permission. The developers of adware do so in order to earn money via third-party ad network. Thus every your click on the adverts generates profit for them.
Unwanted ads
Even worse, adware software is often harmless, but sometimes the adware you inadvertently download can also be spyware. Spyware can sometimes seek out your confidential data stored on the computer, gather this information and use it to steal your identity.
In many cases, the free applications setup file includes third-party programs such as this adware. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to choose a Custom, Advanced or Manual installation type. Here reject all optional software in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion. The main thing you should remember, you don’t need to install any bundled programs which you do not trust!
Threat Summary
| Name | Page finder app, Pagefinder 1.0 extension |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | Pagefinder removal guide |
Thus, it’s clear that the presence of adware on your MAC OS is not desirable, and you need to clean up your Apple Mac without a wait. Follow the steps below in order to remove Pagefinder adware.
How to Remove Pagefinder app/extension from Mac (Adware virus removal guide)
If you have consistent pop ups or undesired advertisements, slow MAC system, crashing Apple Mac issues, you are in need of adware removal assistance. The guide below will guide you forward to get Pagefinder adware removed and will help you get your MAC operating at peak capacity again.
To remove Pagefinder, complete the following steps:
- How to manually delete Pagefinder
- Use free malware removal tools to completely get rid of Page finder
- Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to manually delete Pagefinder
In most cases, it’s possible to manually remove Pagefinder adware. This way does not involve the use of any tricks or removal tools. You just need to recover the normal settings of the MAC system and browser. This can be done by following a few simple steps below. If you want to quickly remove Pagefinder , as well as perform a full scan of your MAC OS, we recommend that you use adware removal tools, which are listed below.
Delete Pagefinder related apps through the Finder
First, go to the Finder and remove suspicious programs, all programs you do not remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to applications you installed just before Pagefinder adware appeared on your internet browser. If you do not know what a program does, look for the answer on the Web.
Make sure you have closed all browsers and other applications. Next, uninstall any undesired and suspicious programs from computer using the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Look around the entire list of software installed on your machine. Most likely, one of them is the Pagefinder adware software that cause undesired pop up advertisements to appear. Select the questionable application or the program that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.
Drag the dubious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove Pagefinder adware software from Chrome
Another solution to remove Pagefinder ads from Chrome is Reset Chrome settings. This will disable malicious addons and reset Chrome settings to default state. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First run the Google Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will display the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the addon signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Google Chrome menu once again. Further, press the option named “Settings”.
The internet browser will open the settings screen. Another method to display the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and press the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as shown on the screen below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Google Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as displayed on the screen below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The internet browser will launch the task of cleaning. Once it’s finished, the web browser’s settings including homepage, search engine by default and newtab page back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Remove Page finder from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web browser settings
If the Mozilla Firefox settings such as new tab page, home page and search engine by default have been changed by Page finder, then resetting it to the default state can help. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
Press the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu as displayed on the screen below.
A small menu will appear, press the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, click “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed on the screen below.
Follow the onscreen procedure to restore your Firefox web browser settings to their original settings.
Remove Pagefinder from Safari
If you find that Safari internet browser settings like search engine by default, newtab and startpage having been replaced by Pagefinder adware which cause undesired ads to appear, then you may restore your settings, via the reset web-browser procedure.
Run Safari internet browser. Next, choose Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” icon. Here, choose “Block pop-up windows”. It will stop some types of pop-ups.
Now, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for questionable extensions on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all suspicious plugins from Safari.
Once complete, check your startpage and search provider settings. Click “General” icon. Make sure that the “Homepage” field contains the website you want or is empty.
Make sure that the “Search engine” setting shows your preferred search engine. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Use free malware removal tools to completely get rid of Page finder
Cyber security specialists have built efficient adware removal tools to aid users in removing unwanted pop-ups and undesired ads. Below we will share with you the best malicious software removal tools with the ability to find and remove Pagefinder adware that causes multiple intrusive ads and pop ups.
Run MalwareBytes to remove Pagefinder adware
We suggest using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware that are fully clean your machine of the adware. This free utility is an advanced malicious software removal application developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. It is able to help you remove annoying Pagefinder adware from your web-browsers, PUPs, malware, browser hijacker, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your computer for free.
Download MalwareBytes Free on your computer from the link below.
20850 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After the download is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button for scanning your MAC for the Pagefinder which cause undesired pop-up ads to appear. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your MAC system. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) tool is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as being affected by malware. You may delete threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes is a free application that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.
Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
It’s also critical to protect your internet browsers from harmful webpages and advertisements by using an ad blocker application such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard may also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
- Visit the page linked below to download AdGuard.
AdGuard for Mac download
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- When the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block malicious or misleading websites.
To sum up
Now your MAC should be free of the Pagefinder adware software that causes multiple intrusive ads and pop ups. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted advertisements and undesired harmful web sites) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your machine for new adwares and other malicious software).
If you are still having problems while trying to delete Pagefinder from the Chrome, Firefox and Safari, then ask for help here here.
