ConnectSystem Mac Malware - How to remove

ConnectSystem (or ConnectSystem 1.0) is a malicious app and browser extension that can infect Macs. If your device got the ConnectSystem malware, it’s important to remove this threat as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, deleting this malware is not always simple as ConnectSystem can be quite persistent.

About ConnectSystem:

Threat type	Trojan, adware, browser hijacker.
How ConnectSystem is installed	Advertised online in search results or by pop-up ads, its installer is made to look like an installer for a trusted program, it’s bundled with various free apps.
What problems it causes	ConnectSystem opens unwanted websites in the browser and injects ads, it reads the victim’s browsing history, it can cause slow or unstable internet connection.
How to delete ConnectSystem	Delete ConnectSystem and all other malicious files manually or with antivirus tools (Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, others), check your system preferences and browser settings, remove all entries and changes made by ConnectSystem, reset your passwords.

How does ConnectSystem work?

ConnectSystem is installed without permission

ConnectSystem is a malicious app and browser extension.

It does not ask for permission to be installed. Here are a few ways in which it infects Macs:

• Advertised as a software update, such as a Flash Player update. The installer impersonates Flash Player, too.
• Downloaded from unreliable freeware sites, as well as pirating, modding, cheat websites.
• Found on malicious sites that appear in web search results.
• Downloaded by a trojan already present on your Mac.

Because of how ConnectSystem infects Macs, it can be called a trojan. It’s similar to the AdLoad or Shlayer – a trojan that is able to bypass Gatekeeper in some earlier versions of macOS. A reminder that software updates are important for security.

You can improve your security by blocking ads and malicious websites, as well as using a third-party security program. It’s no secret that Macs do get malware, so it’s wise to take measures to protect yourself

ConnectSystem messes with the internet traffic

Your macOS might show warnings about ConnectSystem or another app trying to control Safari.

If allowed to work, ConnectSystem can cause a lot of problems:

• It can slow down the Mac, causing lag and long load times.
• It can stop some websites and online apps from working. This might be unintentional.
• ConnectSystem tracks user activity – their search history, browsing habits. It could even see their usernames and passwords.
• In web browsers, ConnectSystem changes the default search engine to something like Searchlee, Safe Finder, Bing, Yahoo, etc.
• It can inject advertisements into web pages.

ConnectSystem’s job is to advertise, open promoted sites, collect browsing data. That’s how its operators make money.

So, you might notice your browsers behaving strangely, with the home page and the default search engine being changed to unfamiliar and/or unwanted websites. Not all these sites are necessarily malicious, but the problem is, as long as ConnectSystem is installed, it has control over web browser settings.

How to delete ConnectSystem

Removing ConnectSystem requires deleting its files and settings.

Deleting Mac malware is always different. Speaking of threats similar to ConnectSystem, some users find the removal quick and easy, while for others it is very difficult. In some cases, the ConnectSystem malware might appear to go away, only to return on its own after a while.

ConnectSystem can be a very persistent threat. I recommend checking out this SentinelOne article for info on how malicious apps sink their claws into Macs.

Below are instructions for how to find and delete suspicious files, configuration profiles, and unwanted proxies that may be used by ConnectSystem to hijack your Mac. You can use an anti-malware app (Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, others) to find and delete malicious apps and files, but you’ll have to manage your settings yourself.

You might need to boot your Mac into safe mode to successfully delete those files. Safe mode stops unnecessary apps from running.

In case you can’t permanently delete ConnectSystem yourself, it can help to seek personal tech support or to reset your Mac.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove ConnectSystem Mac Malware from macOS

Delete ConnectSystem Mac Malware from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the ConnectSystem Mac Malware app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

(Optional) Delete related settings

Some malicious apps make themselves difficult to delete by changing various settings and leaving behind malicious files. Remove settings related to ConnectSystem Mac Malware.

• Click the Apple logo in the menu bar. Open System Preferences.
• Some malicious applications set profiles to enforce unwanted settings. Remove unwanted configuration profiles.

1. 1. In System Preferences, click the Profiles icon. This icon is only visible if there are profiles on your Mac.
   2. Select unwanted profiles and remove them by pressing the minus '-'  button at the bottom.

• Some adware applications set SOCKS proxy to manipulate your internet traffic. Remove unwanted proxies:

1. 1. In System Preferences, click Network, Advanced, Proxies.
   2. If a proxy is set without your permission, uncheck it and click OK.

(Optional) Delete malicious files

Some malicious apps leave behind dangerous files in your Library folders. Delete files related to ConnectSystem Mac Malware.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go -> Computer.
3. In the search box, type in ConnectSystem Mac Malware and variations of it.
4. Delete the files that are found and that seem to be related to ConnectSystem Mac Malware.