How to uninstall ExploreActivity app/extension from Mac

What is ExploreActivity

ExploreActivity is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malware’. It is a form of malicious software which presents unwanted advertisements to computer users. Some examples include pop up ads, push notifications or unclosable windows. Adware software can be installed onto your computer via infected web-pages, when you open email attachments, anytime you download and install freeware.

Even worse, adware software may monetize its functionality by collecting confidential info from your browsing sessions. This privacy information, afterwards, can be easily transferred third party companies. This puts your personal info at a security risk. If you are unfortunate have adware, you can follow the steps below that will assist you to remove ExploreActivity and thereby remove intrusive ads from your web browser.

How does ExploreActivity get on your MAC OS

Adware spreads bundled with various free programs. This means that you need to be very careful when installing apps downloaded from the World Wide Web, even from a large proven hosting. Be sure to read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only the Manual, Advanced or Custom install type, switch off all optional modules and programs are offered to install.

Threat Summary

Name	ExploreActivity, ExploreActivity 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up virus, popup ads, popups
Symptoms	unclosable window appear and recommend fake Flash updates web-site links redirect to web-sites different from what you expected there is an unwanted application in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder an unwanted add-on appears in your web-browser your browser settings are being modified without your request your web-browser slows to a crawl CPU usage seems unusually high
Removal	ExploreActivity removal guide

How to Remove ExploreActivity adware (removal instructions)

Most commonly adware requires more than a simple uninstall with the help of the Finder in order to be fully removed. For that reason, our team created several removal methods which we have summarized in a detailed guide. Therefore, if you have the ExploreActivity adware on your MAC and are currently trying to have it removed then feel free to follow the guide below in order to resolve your problem. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your internet browser or reboot your Apple Mac.

To remove ExploreActivity, execute the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by ExploreActivity
2. Remove ExploreActivity associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove ExploreActivity related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove ExploreActivity from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove profiles created by ExploreActivity

ExploreActivity can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to ExploreActivity.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac computer, which is normal.

Remove ExploreActivity associated software by using the Finder

It is of primary importance to identify and remove browser hijackers, adware software and potentially unwanted programs through ‘Applications’ section of your Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most probably, one of them is the ExploreActivity adware software. Once you’ve found a dubious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Don’t forget, select Finder -> “Empty Trash”.

Remove ExploreActivity related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ExploreActivity related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for ExploreActivity generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: com.machelper.plist, macsearch.plist, search.plist, installapp.plist and ExploreActivity.plist. Most often, adware software, PUPs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for ExploreActivity generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for ExploreActivity generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for ExploreActivity generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.macsearch.plist, com.ExploreActivity.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.search.plist and com.installapp.plist. In most cases, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can get rid of ExploreActivity related files automatically through the use of MalwareBytes Free. We suggest this free malicious software removal tool because it can easily get rid of toolbars, PUPs, adware and browser hijackers with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

1. Download MalwareBytes Free on your machine by clicking on the link below.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20850 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. After the download is finished, please close all programs and open windows on your MAC system. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will open and open the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the ExploreActivity adware software. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware program is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
5. When MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is finished scanning your Apple Mac, MalwareBytes Free will display you the results.
6. Once you have selected what you wish to delete from your MAC system press the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove ExploreActivity from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still getting ExploreActivity , then you can try to remove it by uninstalling harmful extensions.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Google Chrome window. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of ExploreActivity adware by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with ExploreActivity adware removal, you need to reset Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

Using an ad blocking program like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, adblocker applications will also protect you from malicious advertisements and websites, and, of course, stop redirection chain to misleading, scam and similar websites.

1. Download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3686 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once the download is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the setup is finished, press “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying ads, block harmful and misleading websites.

Finish words

Now your MAC system should be free of the ExploreActivity adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popups and intrusive harmful webpages) and MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC system for new malware, hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, harmful applications and adware are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of ExploreActivity from your internet browser, then ask for help here.