What is ViewFont
ViewFont is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malicious software’. It is a harmful application that shows unwanted ads to computer users. Some examples include pop-up ads, push notifications, unclosable windows and eve fake virus alerts. Adware software can be installed onto MAC computers via infected web-sites, when users open email attachments, anytime they download and install free applications.
Another reason why you need to remove the ViewFont app is its online data-tracking activity. It has the ability to collect lots of your privacy data which may be later sold to third party companies. You do not know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe.
If you are unfortunate have adware or malicious software running on your computer, you can follow the few simple steps here to uninstall ViewFont from your MAC and get rid of unwanted ads from the internet browser.
How does ViewFont get on your machine
Adware usually is bundled within some free software that users download off of the Web. So, think back, have you ever download and run any free apps. 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 install screens, as well as to always select the ‘Manual’ or ‘Advanced’ installation type, when installing anything downloaded from the Web.
Threat Summary
Name | ViewFont |
Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac malware, Mac virus |
Detection Names | Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware/Adload!OSX, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware.MAC.Generic, OSX.Trojan.Gen and ApplicUnwnt |
Distribution | Free software installers, torrent downloads, fake updaters and dubious pop up ads |
Symptoms | Your web-browser is redirected to web pages you did not want, unclosable window appear and recommend fake updates and other unwanted applications, new entries appear in your Applications folder, new toolbars suddenly added on your web browser, your internet browser start page has modified without your permission, slow browsing Internet. |
Removal | ViewFont removal guide |
How to Remove ViewFont adware (removal tutorial)
Fortunately, it is not hard to remove ViewFont. In the following guide, we will provide two ways to free your MAC of this adware. One is the manual removal way and the other is automatic removal method. You can choose the way that best fits you. Please follow the removal guidance below to remove ViewFont right now!
To remove ViewFont, execute the following steps:
- Remove profiles created by ViewFont
- Check the list of installed programs
- Remove ViewFont related files and folders
- Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
- Remove ViewFont from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
- How to stay safe online
Remove profiles created by ViewFont
ViewFont 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 associated with ViewFont.
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 device, which is normal.
Check the list of installed programs
Check out the Finder (Applications section) to see all installed applications. If you see any unknown and suspicious programs, they are the ones you need to remove.
Make sure you have closed all internet browsers and other apps. Next, remove any unwanted and suspicious software from Apple Mac using the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Look around the entire list of applications installed on your Apple Mac. Most probably, one of them is the ViewFont adware. Select the questionable program or the program that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.
Drag the dubious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove ViewFont related files and folders
Now you need to try to find ViewFont 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.
ViewFont creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted application.
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ViewFont.system.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ViewFont.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.ViewFont.system
- ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.ViewFont.service.app
Some files created by ViewFont 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 ViewFont 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: macsearch.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.ViewFont.service.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , installapp.plist and search.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware software and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.
Check for ViewFont 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.ViewFont.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.
Check for ViewFont 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 ViewFont 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.system.plist, com.search.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist and com.ViewFont.system.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware software create several files with similar names.
Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
We suggest using MalwareBytes AntiMalware to scan the Mac device for browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs. This free tool is an advanced malware removal program created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It is able to help you remove PUPs and other security threats from your Mac device for free.
Please go to the following link to download MalwareBytes.
20851 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the download is done, close all software and windows on your MAC system. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you can see its main screen like the one below.
Now click the “Scan” button to locate ViewFont adware. This task can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes utility is scanning, you may see number of objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.
When MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is done scanning your MAC, you can check all items detected on your machine. When you are ready, click the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will begin to get rid of ViewFont adware.
Remove ViewFont from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
If you have ‘ViewFont adware software’ removal problem, then remove unwanted extensions can help you. In the steps below we will show you the way to get rid of harmful plugins without reinstall. This will also allow to remove ViewFont adware from your web browser.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to remove ViewFont adware by reset Google Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing problems with ViewFont adware removal, you need to reset Firefox browser. |
Safari | |
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How to stay safe online
In order to increase your security and protect your MAC system against new unwanted ads and malicious web-pages, you need to run ad-blocking application that blocks an access to malicious advertisements and web sites. Moreover, the program can stop the open of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of web-pages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
- AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
AdGuard for Mac download
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- When the download is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the setup is complete, click “Skip” to close the install application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying advertisements, block harmful and misleading web sites.
Finish words
We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop ups and intrusive harmful web-sites) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC system for new malicious software, 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 delete ViewFont adware software from your internet browser, then ask for help here.