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

What is FastWeb

FastWeb is an Adware application that targets mac computers. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malicious software’. FastWeb is a harmful application which displays unwanted advertisements to Mac users. Some examples include pop-up advertisements, push notifications or unclosable windows. It can be installed onto your computer via infected webpages, when you open email attachments, anytime you download and install freeware.

Does adware steal your privacy data? Adware can have spyware and keyloggers built into the program, leading to greater damage to your Mac and possible invasion of your personal data.

Below we are discussing the solutions which are very useful in removing adware. The guidance will also assist you to remove FastWeb from your MAC for free.

How does FastWeb get on your computer

The majority of adware is bundled with freeware or even paid apps that users can easily download online. The installation packages of such apps, in many cases, clearly show that they will install bundled software. The option is given to users to stop the setup of any bundled programs.

So, in order to avoid the setup of any adware software: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation method and disable all bundled programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	FastWeb
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	MacOS.Agent-MT, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, Adware.MAC.Generic, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Osx.Adware.Cimpli and Adware/Adload!OSX
Distribution	Freeware installers, malicious popup ads, torrent downloads and fake updaters
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your web browser is redirected to another web site, unexpected ads appear on webpages that you are visiting, there is an unexpected application in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, an unwanted toolbar appears in your browser, unexpected changes in your browser such as using a new default search engine, fast Internet but slow browsing speeds.
Removal	FastWeb removal guide

How to remove FastWeb from Mac

Without a doubt, the FastWeb adware is harmful to your MAC. So you need to quickly and completely delete this adware. To remove it, you can use the manual removal steps which are given below or free malicious software removal tools such as MalwareBytes (it is free). We advise you use automatic removal way which will help you to get rid of FastWeb adware easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in Apple Mac or in the case where adware is not uninstalled automatically. Certain of the steps below will require you to close this website. So, please read the steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove FastWeb, perform the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by FastWeb

FastWeb 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 associated with FastWeb.

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.

Uninstall FastWeb associated software by using the Finder

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

Open Finder and click “Applications” as shown on the image below.

You will see a list of software installed on your Apple Mac. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the program you installed last. Most likely, it is the FastWeb adware. If you’re in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

When the program which you need to uninstall is found, simply right click on its name, and choose “Move to Trash”.

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

Remove FastWeb related files and folders

Now you need to try to find FastWeb 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can remove FastWeb related files automatically with a help of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. We suggest this free malware removal tool because it can easily remove browser hijackers, adware software, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Visit the following page to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) for Mac OS.

Once downloading is done, close all applications and windows on your MAC system. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the FastWeb adware. Depending on your Apple Mac, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware tool is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.

When MalwareBytes Free has completed scanning your MAC system, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will open a scan report. When you are ready, press the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will get rid of FastWeb adware.

Remove FastWeb from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to delete malicious extensions. This can remove FastWeb and fix some surfing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the 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 remove FastWeb 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 FastWeb 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

We recommend to install an ad-blocking application. The ad-blocker tool like AdGuard is a program that basically removes advertising from the World Wide Web and blocks access to malicious web pages. Moreover, security experts says that using ad-blocker software is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Internet.

Download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.

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

Each time, when you run your machine, AdGuard will run automatically and stop annoying pop up ads, block harmful and misleading web pages.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your machine for new adware softwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop annoying ads and malicious web pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party applications.

If you need more help with FastWeb adware related issues, go to here.

 

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