According to security ProgramInitiator is an adware program. Adware is a part of malicious software. It is developed to bombard you with endless ads and pop up windows that could potentially be dangerous for your Mac. If you get adware software on your computer, it can alter web browser settings and install harmful browser extensions.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your confidential data? Adware is often harmless, but sometimes the adware you inadvertently download can also be spyware. Spyware can sometimes seek out your personal information stored on the computer, gather this information and use it to steal your identity.
How does ProgramInitiator get on your Apple Mac
Most of unwanted ads and pop-ups come from web-browser toolbars and/or extensions, BHOs (browser helper objects) and bundled programs. Most often, these items claim itself as software that improve your experience on the Web by providing a fast and interactive startpage or a search engine that does not track you. Remember, how to avoid the unwanted applications. Be cautious, start only reputable apps which download from reputable sources. NEVER install any unknown and dubious software.
Threat Summary
| Name | ProgramInitiator, Program Initiator 1.0 app |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popup advertisements, pop up virus, popups |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | ProgramInitiator removal guide |
How to Remove ProgramInitiator adware
To remove ProgramInitiator from your MAC system, you must delete all suspicious software and every component that could be related to the adware. Besides, to restore your internet browser search engine by default, new tab page and start page, you should reset the affected browsers. As soon as you’re complete with ProgramInitiator removal process, we recommend you scan your machine with malicious software removal tools listed below. It’ll complete the removal process on your machine.
To remove ProgramInitiator, complete the steps below:
- Manual ProgramInitiator removal
- Automatic Removal of ProgramInitiator adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
Manual ProgramInitiator removal
In most cases, it’s possible to manually get rid of ProgramInitiator adware. This way does not involve the use of any tricks or removal utilities. You just need to recover the normal settings of the MAC system and web browser. This can be done by following a few simple steps below. If you want to quickly remove adware, as well as perform a full scan of your computer, we recommend that you use adware removal utilities, which are listed below.
Remove ProgramInitiator related software through the Finder
The process of adware software removal is generally the same across all versions of Mac OS. To start with, it’s necessary to check the list of installed programs on your Apple Mac and remove all unused, unknown and suspicious apps.
- Open the Finder.
- Click “Applications”.
- It will display a list of all software installed on the MAC system.
- Scroll through the all list, and remove suspicious and unknown apps. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
- Drag the questionable application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Empty Trash.
Remove ProgramInitiator adware from Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings is a simple way to delete ProgramInitiator adware, harmful and ‘ad-supported’ plugins, internet browser’s start page, search provider by default and newtab page that have been replaced by adware.
First launch the Google Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will open the Google Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed addons. If the list has the addon signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option named “Settings”.
The web browser will display the settings screen. Another solution to display the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-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 displayed on the screen below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Google Chrome will show the confirmation prompt like below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The web-browser will start the task of cleaning. After it’s done, the internet browser’s settings including new tab, search engine and start page back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your MAC.
Get rid of ProgramInitiator from Firefox by resetting web browser settings
The Mozilla Firefox reset will remove ProgramInitiator ads, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. It will save your personal information such as saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
Start the Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web-browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will display the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the figure below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The Firefox will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the ProgramInitiator adware. After, it’s complete, press the “Finish” button.
Delete ProgramInitiator from Safari
If you find that Safari web browser settings like default search engine, homepage and new tab page having been changed by ProgramInitiator , then you may revert back your settings, via the reset web-browser procedure.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious plugins on left panel, select it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Automatic Removal of ProgramInitiator adware
Is your Mac machine affected with adware software? Then don’t worry, in the guide below, we’re sharing best malicious software removal tools which is able to get rid of ProgramInitiator ads from the Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome and your MAC.
Use MalwareBytes to remove ProgramInitiator
We suggest using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware that are completely clean your machine of the adware software. This free tool is an advanced malicious software removal application created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It’s able to help you get rid of unwanted ProgramInitiator ads from your web browsers, potentially unwanted applications, malicious software, browser hijacker, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your MAC OS for free.
Please go to the following link to download MalwareBytes Free.
20988 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After downloading is done, close all windows on your MAC. Further, start the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically start and you may see its main window as shown in the following example.
Next, click the “Scan Now” button for checking your computer for the ProgramInitiator adware software. Depending on your MAC OS, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. During the scan MalwareBytes AntiMalware will detect threats exist on your machine.
Once the scanning is finished, MalwareBytes will prepare a list of unwanted programs and adware. In order to remove all threats, simply click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes will get rid of ProgramInitiator .
How to stop ProgramInitiator adware software
By installing an adblocker application such as AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious websites, stop autoplaying video ads and delete a huge number of distracting and annoying ads on webpages.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard from the link below. Save it directly to your Microsoft Windows Desktop.
3772 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After downloading is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted popup advertisements, block malicious and misleading web sites.
Finish words
After completing the steps above, your MAC OS should be free from ProgramInitiator adware and other malicious software. The Chrome, Safari and Firefox will no longer display any unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help here.
