DivisionIndexer Adware - How to remove

DivisionIndexer is an adware app that spreads through fake updates and infected free apps. It spies on its victims, changes their browser settings, and opens affiliated sites as a way of showing advertisements.

Though DivisionIndexer is only adware and thus not very dangerous, it can be very persistent and difficult to delete. In some cases, deleting it can result in other very similar apps appearing on your Mac.

DivisionIndexer in short:

Classification	Trojan, adware.
Removing DivisionIndexer	Delete all files related to it – manually and with an anti-malware app (Combo Cleaner, others).
Dangers of a DivisionIndexer infection	Private data (search history, computer settings) is collected, the browser is forced to open unwanted sites.
How to avoid malware	Be careful of webpages that tell you to download and install things, block malicious websites, scan installers before opening them.

How to remove DivisionIndexer

Delete malicious files

DivisionIndexer has an app, a browser extension, and possibly a few script files tucked in your Library folders. These files need to be removed.

Delete the DivisionIndexer app in Finder -> Applications.

Find the rest of the files by using an anti-malware app, such as Combo Cleaner. Other malicious apps, as well as the files that these apps may have created.

Also, you can open Finder -> Go -> Go to Folder and use the dialog to navigate to these folders:

• ~/Library/LaunchAgents,
• /Library/LaunchDaemons,
• ~/Library/Application Support,
• /Library/Application Support.

These folders are the most likely to contain a few malicious files by DivisionIndexer. They also contain a bunch of legitimate files used by various apps, so be careful about what you delete.

In case you can’t remove DivisionIndexer’s app, files, or something else, restart your Mac in safe mode and try again. Safe mode stops unnecessary apps from running. Just shut down your Mac, then turn it on again, then hold the Shift key.

Check your settings

DivisionIndexer makes changes to some important system settings – this needs to be fixed. Open System Preferences:

• Look for an icon called Profiles. If it’s not there, that’s good. If it is there, click on it and select and delete all the entries that are unfamiliar to you.
• Open Users & Groups -> Login Items. Delete the entries that you did not add.
• Go to Network -> Advanced -> Proxies. If there are proxy protocols set and if you weren’t the one who selected them, then deselect them and click OK.

There might also be some settings in your web browsers that need to be fixed, such as your default search engine, home page, etc. Very likely, DivisionIndexer installed a browser hijacker or two. The instructions for web browsers can be found at the bottom of this post.

What is DivisionIndexer?

So, DivisionIndexer exists as an app as well as a browser add-on. It makes changes to settings and it can be difficult to delete. What does it want?

The goal of most malicious software is to make money and DivisionIndexer is no different. The main goals of DivisionIndexer appear to be spying on its victims and making their browser open promoted websites. So, advertising and collecting information to improve advertising.

Here are a few things that DivisionIndexer does that you might notice:

• It can change your browser’s home page and new tab page. Some random browser add-on might be installed that replaces your home page.
• It changes the default search engine of your browser. So, when you search the internet, an unexpected site like Safe Finder, Yahoo, Ask, or others might return the results.
• Pop-up ads might appear. Your browser might randomly open sites that you didn’t want to open.
• If you try to delete it like you would a normal app, DivisionIndexer may reappear or it may be replaced with another, similar app, such as DivisionInitiator, WebNewSearch, etc.

In the background, DivisionIndexer is collecting data about the computer that it’s on and about your browsing history.

How to protect your Mac from adware

DivisionIndexer uses malicious ads to spread – fake Flash Player updates, fake browser updates, infected installers for free apps. It can be difficult to recognize the danger until the malware is already on your Mac.

One thing that can help is an ad blocker. Another is an anti-malware scanner. They can recognize and block some malicious webpages, which helps you stay safe.

In addition, you could configure your Mac to only install apps known to be safe. Also, scan app installers with an anti-malware app before running them.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Restore browser settings

How to remove DivisionIndexer Adware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall DivisionIndexer Adware and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to DivisionIndexer Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopHow to remove DivisionIndexer Adware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find DivisionIndexer Adware on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
• Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
• Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to DivisionIndexer Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
• Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program. Top

How To remove DivisionIndexer Adware from Firefox on Mac OS:

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press cmd+Shift+A on your keyboard).
• Go through Extensions list, remove everything DivisionIndexer Adware related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
• Enter “about:preferences” in URL bar and hit enter.
• Open Search settings tab.
• If your search engine is changed, click 'Default Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Preferences-> General. Enter a preferable URL to the home page field.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to DivisionIndexer Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.