What is GlobalVersion
GlobalVersion is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware is a form of malicious software that can cause many problems such as unwanted ads and popups on your browser, redirect your search requests to scam pages, web browser crashes and slow loading webpages. GlobalVersion can redirect your web browser to web-resources that can load other unwanted software on your Mac.
Another reason why you need to delete GlobalVersion is its online data-tracking activity. It can have spyware and keyloggers built into itself leading to greater damage to your machine and possible invasion of your personal data.
How does GlobalVersion get on your MAC OS
Adware can be spread with the help of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but most commonly, adware comes bundled with certain free software. Many makers of freeware include bundled apps in their setup file. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the setup of any adware software: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced setup option, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free programs.
Threat Summary
Name | GlobalVersion |
Type | adware software, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware |
Detection Names | Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware/Adload!OSX, MacOS.Agent-MT, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, ApplicUnwnt, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware.MAC.Generic and OSX.Trojan.Gen |
Distribution | Freeware installers, torrent downloads, fake software updaters and suspicious pop up ads |
Symptoms | The web page links redirect to a webpages different from what you expected, pop-ups and new tabs are loaded without your request, your MAC starts automatically installing unwanted apps, new icons in your web browser, your web browser homepage has modified and you cannot modify it back, slow browsing Internet. |
Removal | GlobalVersion removal guide |
How to remove GlobalVersion from Mac device
Fortunately, we have an effective guide which will assist you manually or/and automatically delete GlobalVersion from your web browser and bring your web-browser settings, including newtab, search provider by default and homepage, back to normal. Below you will find a removal guidance with all the steps you can need to successfully remove adware software and its components. Some of the steps will require you to restart your MAC or close this web site. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove GlobalVersion, follow the steps below:
- Remove profiles created by GlobalVersion
- Uninstall GlobalVersion associated software by using the Finder
- Remove GlobalVersion related files and folders
- Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
- Remove GlobalVersion from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
- How to stay safe online
Remove profiles created by GlobalVersion
GlobalVersion 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 software.
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 GlobalVersion.
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 GlobalVersion associated software by using the Finder
In order to delete PUPs, adware software and browser hijackers, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed apps. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers. If yes, remove them off. Even if they are just a applications which you do not use, then removing them off will increase your MAC OS start up time and speed dramatically.
- Open the Finder.
- Click “Applications”.
- It will show a list of all applications installed on the MAC.
- Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown software. Pay maximum attention to the application you installed last.
- Drag the dubious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Empty Trash.
Remove GlobalVersion related files and folders
Now you need to try to find GlobalVersion 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.
GlobalVersion creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted application.
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.GlobalVersion.system.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.GlobalVersion.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.GlobalVersion.system
- ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.GlobalVersion.service.app
Some files created by GlobalVersion 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 GlobalVersion 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.GlobalVersion.service.plist, installapp.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, macsearch.plist, search.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, and com.machelper.plist. Most often, adware software, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.
Check for GlobalVersion 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.GlobalVersion.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.
Check for GlobalVersion 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 GlobalVersion 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.installapp.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.GlobalVersion.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, PUPs, browser hijackers and adware software create several files with similar names.
Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
If you’re still having problems with the GlobalVersion removal or just wish to scan your Mac computer occasionally for adware and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware. It’s free for home use, and scans for and removes various undesired applications that attacks your Apple Mac or degrades computer performance. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) can delete adware, toolbars, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.
Installing the MalwareBytes AntiMalware is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware on your MAC from the link below.
20850 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the downloading process is done, close all apps and windows on your MAC system. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the image below.
Now click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes program will scan through the whole MAC OS for the GlobalVersion . This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
Once the scan get completed, you can check all items found on your Apple Mac. Review the report and then click the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Anti Malware will remove GlobalVersion and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine.
Remove GlobalVersion from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
This step will show you how to get rid of harmful plugins. This can remove GlobalVersion adware software and fix some browsing problems, especially after adware infection.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to get rid of GlobalVersion adware software by reset Google Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing issues with GlobalVersion adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser. |
Safari | |
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How to stay safe online
If you want to get rid of intrusive ads, web browser redirects and popups, then install an ad blocker application such as AdGuard. It can block unwanted advertisements and popups, stop webpages from tracking your online activities when using the Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. So, if you like surf the Internet, but you don’t like annoying ads and want to protect your MAC system from harmful web pages, then the AdGuard is your best choice.
- AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
AdGuard for Mac download
3686 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- Once downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is complete, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- 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 run automatically and stop intrusive ads, block malicious and misleading webpages.
Finish words
We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Anti Malware (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new adware softwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popups and harmful webpages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.
If you need more help with GlobalVersion related issues, go to here.