Spi Virus (Mac)

What is Spi?

Spi is an adware-type app that injects various advertisements into legitimate websites such as Google. In summary, it serves unsuspecting users with advertisements when they search. When installed, Spi also displays a number of pop-up windows asking people to provide a Mac user-account username and password.

Adware-type applications usually feed users with various advertisements such as pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, and so on. In this case, Spi displays ads even on websites such as google.com. Being annoyed by these unwanted ads is not the only problem - typically, clicking them results in redirects to dubious or even scam websites.

These opened websites promote unwanted apps that might be malicious. Furthermore, some might cause unwanted downloads and installations. When clicked, some ads execute scripts that start the download or installation process of unwanted applications.

Clicking them can thus lead to computer infections or other problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, and so on. Note that Spi also adjusts proxy settings and adds a certificate in the keychain. Note, however, that Spi does this only if the user gives permission.

It displays two pop-up windows: one asks users to enter a username and password to allow Spi to make changes to Certificate Trust Settings; the other asks users to provide the same credentials to allow Spi to modify the system network configuration. If you have granted these permissions, undo them.

Additionally, we strongly recommend that you remove Spi and other unwanted apps immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Spi adware
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (Spi.app.zip)	Avast (MacOS:SearchPage-A [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Searchpage.C), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/Adware.SearchPage.A), Kaspersky (not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Social2search.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

The internet is full of adware-type and other potentially unwanted apps (PUAs). Generally, they are presented as legitimate and useful apps, however, when installed, rather than providing any real value, they simply cause problems. Installed PUAs usually lead to unwanted redirects, annoying ads, and even computer infections.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Adware-type and other PUAs are installed through clicked intrusive ads or together with third party software. Developers often use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" to trick people into downloading and installing potentially unwanted applications with other (typically free) software that they download intentionally.

PUAs are usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings/options of software set-ups. Unfortunately, many people download and install programs without checking settings included in the set-ups. Leaving them unchanged allows bundled apps to be installed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download all software from official and trustworthy websites, and using direct download links. To avoid unintentional downloads, do not use third party downloaders/installers, torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites, and so on. Inspect all software set-ups, including "Advanced", "Custom", and other options/settings.

Deselect any offers to install additional software and only then proceed to the next step or finish the download or installation. Furthermore, bear in mind that many intrusive ads cannot be trusted. Once clicked, they redirect users to dubious/untrustworthy websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on).

Typically, unwanted redirects and advertisements occur due to PUAs installed on the system. If you experience these problems, check your browser for unwanted extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins and remove them. Apply this to any unwanted apps installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in a pop-up delivered by Spi adware (example shown above):

Spi is trying to modify the system network configuration.

Screenshot of another pop-up window displayed by Spi adware:

Text presented within this pop-up:

You are making changes to your Certificate Trust Settings

To remove all Spi files from a Mac, click the "Finder" icon and then select "Applications" on the left pane. Find and right-click "Spi" and select the "Move to Trash" option to remove it.

Click "Go" on the Menu bar, select "Go to Folder...", enter "~/Library", and then click Enter on your keyboard. Right-click the "SPI" folder and select the "Move to Trash" option.

Click "Go" on the Menu bar and select "Go to Folder..." again. Enter "~/Library/LaunchAgents/" and click the Enter on the keyboard. Find the "Spid.plist" file, right-click it, and select the "Move to Trash" option. Empty the Trash.

To undo changes made by Spi in proxy settings, click the "System Preferences" icon in the Dock and select "Network".

In Network window, click the "Advanced..." option.

Select the "Proxies" tab and ensure that both the "Web Proxy (HTTP)" and "Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)" checkboxes are unticked.

To delete a certificate added into Keychain Access, enable Spotlight Search by clicking the magnifier icon and type "keychain". Select the "Keychain Access" result.

Select "login" Keychain and click "Certificates" under "Category". Find the "mitmproxy" entry (certificate), right-click it, and select the "Delete "mitmproxy"" option.

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Spi?
• STEP 1. Remove Spi related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove Spi virus using Combo Cleaner:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suSpicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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