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

What is TextBoard

TextBoard is an application that targets Mac platform. Adware is considered, by many, to be synonymous with ‘malware’. It is a malicious application that shows unwanted ads to computer users. Some examples include pop-up ads, various offers and deals, unclosable windows, push notifications, and even fake virus alerts. Adware can be installed onto MAC computers via infected web pages, when users open email attachments, anytime they download and install free applications.

Adware is often harmless, but sometimes adware can also be spyware. Spyware can steal personal information (passwords, credit card numbers, and other confidential information) that can be used for identity theft. Therefore, it is very important to get rid of adware immediately. Below we are discussing the ways which are very useful in removing adware. The guide will also help you to remove TextBoard from your Mac for free.

How does TextBoard get on your computer

Adware usually comes with free apps downloaded from the internet. This means that you need to take the initiative and read the Terms of Use and the License Agreement carefully. For the most part, adware and PUPs will be clearly described, so take the time to carefully read all the information about the software you have downloaded and want to install on your MAC.

Threat Summary

Name	TextBoard, “TextBoard 1.0”
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Osx.Adware.Cimpli, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware/Adload!OSX, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and Adware.MAC.Generic
Distribution	Freeware installers, dubious pop-up ads, torrent downloads and fake software updaters
Symptoms	Your internet browser is redirected to web-sites you did not want, you experience a large amount of of unexpected pop up windows, unexpected program installed without your knowledge, an unwanted addon appears in your internet browser, unwanted changes in your web browser such as using a new default search provider, slow Internet or slow browsing.
Removal	TextBoard removal guide

How to remove TextBoard adware

We can help you remove TextBoard from your Mac without the help of a professional. Just follow the removal guide below if you currently have malicious adware installed on your MAC and you want to remove it. If you are having difficulty trying to get rid of the adware, feel free to contact us for help in the comments section below. Read it once and then bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to exit your web browser or restart your MAC.

To remove TextBoard, use the steps below:

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

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

TextBoard 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 TextBoard.

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 Apple computer, which is normal.

Delete TextBoard associated software by using the Finder

Go to the Finder and remove questionable applications, all programs you don’t remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to software you have recently installed. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the Internet.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will display a list of all apps installed on your MAC system. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any dubious and unknown applications. Right click to questionable program and select “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove TextBoard related files and folders

Now you need to try to find TextBoard 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We advise using MalwareBytes. You can download and install MalwareBytes AntiMalware to scan for and get rid of TextBoard related applications from your Mac. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically identifies and deletes all security threats present on the MAC system.

Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware by clicking on the link below.

When downloading is done, close all programs and windows on your machine. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.

Once setup is complete, you will see window as shown on the image below.

Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the TextBoard adware. Depending on your MAC system, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour.

Once the scan is complete, the results are displayed in the scan report. Next, you need to click “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now start to get rid of TextBoard .

Remove TextBoard from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to get rid of harmful addons. This can delete TextBoard adware software and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware software infection.

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 TextBoard 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 TextBoard 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

Run ad-blocking program like AdGuard in order to block ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons which affect your MAC OS performance and impact your MAC security. Browse the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!

1. Please go to the link below to download AdGuard.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3771 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once the downloading process is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. When the setup is done, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist 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 run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will run automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block malicious and misleading websites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes AntiMalware (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adware and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up advertisements and harmful web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.

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