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

What is KeyData

KeyData is a malicious application that falls under the category of Adware. Adware is not as dangerous as such as a computer virus or Ransomware, but its presence can bring numerous popups and/or unwanted adverts. Actually developers of adware is associated with some third-party ad networks and by displaying adverts to users they make money for yourself. These ads not only bother your browsing experience but also redirect you to shady web-sites.

Another reason why you need to remove the KeyData adware is its online data-tracking activity. It can gather personal info such as what webpages you are opening, what you are looking for the Net and so on. This personal data, afterwards, may be transferred third party companies.

By following tutorial below it is easy to detect and get rid of adware from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari and your Mac. Learn how to get rid of KeyData and adware apps, as well as how to run a full Apple Mac virus scan.

How does KeyData get on your MAC

Adware actively distributed with free apps, as a part of the installation package of these applications. Therefore, it’s very important, when installing an unknown program even downloaded from well-known or big hosting site, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to choose the Manual, Advanced or Custom install mode. In this method, you can disable the installation of optional modules and applications and protect your machine from adware.

Threat Summary

Name	KeyData, KeyData 1.0 app
Type	adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Adware/Adload!OSX, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT and ApplicUnwnt
Distribution	Freeware installers, torrent downloads, fake software updaters and suspicious pop up advertisements
Symptoms	The webpage links redirect to a websites different from what you expected, unclosable window appear and recommend fake security software, there is an unexpected program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, an unexpected toolbar appears in your web browser, your web-browser startpage has replaced and you cannot change it back, speed test good but internet slow.
Removal	KeyData removal guide

How to remove KeyData from Mac

Fortunately, we’ve an effective solution which will help you manually or/and automatically remove KeyData from your web browser and bring your internet browser settings, including default search provider, new tab page and startpage, back to normal. Below you will find a removal guidance with all the steps you may need to successfully get rid of adware and its components. Certain of the steps below will require you to close this web page. So, please read the instructions carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove KeyData, perform the steps below:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Check the list of installed applications
3. Remove KeyData related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove KeyData from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

KeyData can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

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 KeyData.

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.

Check the list of installed applications

Some PUPs, browser hijackers and adware can be uninstalled by uninstalling the free programs they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed software in the Finder. Use the “Move to Trash” command in order to delete them.

Make sure you have closed all internet browsers and other apps. Next, delete any unrequested and suspicious programs from MAC using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of applications installed on your MAC OS. Most probably, one of them is the KeyData adware software. Choose the dubious program or the program that name is not familiar to you and remove it.

Drag the questionable program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove KeyData related files and folders

Now you need to try to find KeyData 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.

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

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

Some files created by KeyData 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 KeyData 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.google.defaultsearch.plist, , search.plist, macsearch.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.KeyData.service.plist and installapp.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for KeyData 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.KeyData.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for KeyData 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 KeyData 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.search.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist and com.KeyData.system.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you are still having problems with the KeyData removal or just wish to scan your Mac occasionally for adware and other malware, then download MalwareBytes Free. It is free for home use, and detects and deletes various undesired programs that attacks your MAC OS or degrades MAC OS performance. MalwareBytes can remove toolbars, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

Installing the MalwareBytes Anti Malware is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes from the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

When the download is done, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to start scanning your MAC OS for the KeyData adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your MAC and the speed of your MAC OS. When a malware, adware software or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Free is a free program that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove KeyData from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted plugins is a easy method to get rid of KeyData and revert back internet browser’s settings that have been modified by adware.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. When the drop-down menu appears, choose ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete KeyData 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 problems with KeyData adware software 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

It’s important to use ad-blocker programs like AdGuard to protect your machine from harmful web-sites. Most security experts says that it’s okay to stop advertisements. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can to block misleading and other unwanted web pages.

Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard from the following link.

After downloading is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive pop-up ads, block malicious and misleading web pages.

Finish words

Now your MAC system should be free of the KeyData adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop up ads and annoying harmful web sites) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adwares and other malicious software).

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of KeyData from the Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome, then ask for help here here.