MacSpend Adware

What is MacSpend?

MacSpend is a browser add-on claiming to save time and money by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and other similar features. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that MacSpend is classed as adware.

This add-on employs a deceptive free software marketing method called 'bundling' to allow infiltration of Internet browsers during installation of chosen software.

Following successful installation (without users' consent), MacSpend generates intrusive advertisements including search, comparison shopping, coupons, etc. - these may lead to bogus websites containing infectious content.

MacSpend also records various information that may be personally identifiable. For instance: search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, IP addresses, and so on. Be aware that tracking of personally identifiable information can lead to serious privacy issues.

MacSpend is just one example from a long list of adware applications including Macitnow, My Savings, CouponSignal, and LookingForTravels. 

None of these (including MacSpend) are useful to the user. Adware-type applications display intrusive ads and share collected data with third parties in order to generate revenue, and therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate MacSpend from your system.

Popular freeware download websites monetize their free services and traffic via small programs called 'download managers', which offer installation of additional programs together with the freeware. These advertised applications are presented as '100% legitimate and virus-free', however, most are adware or malware.

To avoid installation of rogue applications such as MacSpend, closely inspect each step of the free software download procedure to ensure that no other applications are included.

Furthermore, always select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options when installing downloaded software - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to uncheck them. If you have installed MacSpend, remove this application by following the instructions below.

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Quick menu:

• What is MacSpend?
• STEP 1. Uninstall MacSpend application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove MacSpend adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove MacSpend ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by MacSpend' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove MacSpend ads from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

MacSpend adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "MacSpend", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes MacSpend ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove MacSpend adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "MacSpend", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the macspend ads, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "MacSpend", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the macspend ads, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "MacSpend".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with macspend ads removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the macspend ads, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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