How to uninstall TypeInitiator from Mac app/extension (Virus removal guide)

What is TypeInitiator

According to security specialists, TypeInitiator is a malicious app that belongs to the Adware family . Adware is type of software that is developed to insert adverts into your World Wide Web surfing or even desktop experience. Adware can be developed to modify your homepage, search engine, search results, or even add toolbars to your web-browser. Adware run in the background when surf the Web, and adware can slow down your machine and affect its performance.

Does adware software steal your confidential data? Adware software can install a component that enables its creator to track which webpages you visit, which products you look at upon those pages. They are then able to select the type of ads they display you. So, if you had adware on your Apple Mac, there is a good chance you have another that is gathering and sharing your privacy data with third parties, without your consent.

Take a deep breath. Learn everything you should know about TypeInitiator removal, how to remove intrusive advertisements from your browser and machine. Find the best free adware software and malware removal utilities here!

How does TypeInitiator get on your Apple Mac

Adware usually come along with certain free apps that you download off of the Web. So, think back, have you ever download and run any freeware. In order to avoid infection, in the Setup wizard, you should be be proactive and carefully read the ‘Terms of use’, the ‘license agreement’ and other installation screens, as well as to always choose the ‘Manual’ or ‘Advanced’ setup method, when installing anything downloaded from the Net.

Threat Summary

Name	TypeInitiator, TypeInitiator 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware/Adload!OSX, MacOS.Agent-MT, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A and ApplicUnwnt
Distribution	Freeware installers, torrent downloads, fake updaters and malicious popup ads
Symptoms	When you go to a web-site, you’re automatically redirected to another web-site that you do not intend to visit, unclosable window appear and recommend fake Jave updates, there is an unexpected application in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, unexpected internet browser extensions or toolbars keep coming back, your Apple Mac settings are being altered without your request, your web-browser slows to a crawl.
Removal	TypeInitiator removal guide

How to remove TypeInitiator from Mac computer

The answer is right here on this web page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will allow you easily remove TypeInitiator from your MAC. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you’re familiar with the Apple Mac then use manual removal, otherwise run the free antimalware tool created specifically to remove adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Some of the steps will require you to reboot your MAC system or close this website. So, read this instructions carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove TypeInitiator, perform the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by TypeInitiator
2. Delete TypeInitiator related apps through the Finder
3. Remove TypeInitiator related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove TypeInitiator from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove profiles created by TypeInitiator

TypeInitiator 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 TypeInitiator.

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.

Delete TypeInitiator related apps through the Finder

Check the list of installed software and delete all unknown or suspicious programs. This is an important step, it so often happens that PUPs, browser hijackers and adware are built into freeware, so by removing these programs you can get rid of browser redirects and unwanted ads.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your MAC system. Most probably, one of them is the TypeInitiator adware. Once you have found a questionable, unwanted or unused application, right click to it and choose “Move to Trash”. Another method is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

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

Remove TypeInitiator related files and folders

Now you need to try to find TypeInitiator 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.

TypeInitiator creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.TypeInitiator.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.TypeInitiator.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.TypeInitiator.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.TypeInitiator.service.app

Some files created by TypeInitiator are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 TypeInitiator 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: search.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , installapp.plist, com.TypeInitiator.service.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Check for TypeInitiator 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.TypeInitiator.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for TypeInitiator 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 TypeInitiator 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.TypeInitiator.system.plist, com.search.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist and com.macsearch.system.plist. In most cases, adware software, PUPs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having issues with the TypeInitiator removal or just wish to check your Mac computer occasionally for adware software and other malware, then download MalwareBytes Free. It’s free for home use, and scans for and removes various undesired applications that attacks your computer or degrades Apple Mac performance. MalwareBytes can remove browser hijackers, toolbars, potentially unwanted programs and adware as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

1. Installing the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) from the link below.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20851 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. After downloading is complete, close all programs and windows on your machine. Open a folder in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Click the “Scan” button to start checking your computer for the TypeInitiator . Depending on your machine, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) tool is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.
4. Once MalwareBytes Free has completed scanning your MAC, MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will prepare a list of unwanted software and adware. When you are ready, click “Quarantine”.

Remove TypeInitiator from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still seeing TypeInitiator that won’t go away, you might have malicious plugins installed on your web browser. Check your web browser for unwanted add-ons using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Chrome window. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove TypeInitiator adware by reset Google 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 problems with TypeInitiator adware software removal, you need to reset Mozilla 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

By installing an adblocker application such as AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious websites, stop autoplaying video ads and get rid of a large amount of distracting and unwanted ads on web sites.

1. Please go to the link below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Apple Mac.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When the downloading process is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the setup is complete, click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help 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 launch your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying ads, block harmful and misleading webpages.

To sum up

Once you have done the step-by-step guidance above, your machine should be clean from TypeInitiator adware and other malware. The Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari will no longer redirect you to various unwanted webpages and online ads. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.