MapperState Mac Malware - How to remove

Did you notice a new strange app called MapperState installed on your Mac? This could be an adware infection. It is downloaded by a trojan that spreads with fake ads. It targets Macs and injects ads into the browser.

MapperState may also be called MapperStated or MapperState.system. It can be a little difficult to delete – it’s very persistent. While MapperState is installed, it can download additional unwanted apps.

About MapperState:

Classification	Adware, trojan, browser hijacker.
How MapperState affects Macs	Excessive ads, pop-ups, redirects start appearing in web browsers, internet connection is unstable, unknown apps get installed on their own.
How adware is installed	Promoted online by fake, misleading ads, bundled with other apps.
How to delete MapperState	Find and delete MapperState, its files, and other malicious items manually and with the help of anti-malware apps (Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, etc.), check your System Preferences and other settings and remove all traces of MapperState, review your browser add-ons and settings.

What is MapperState?

MapperState is adware

MapperState is malicious software that infects Macs through deceptive advertisement, makes itself persistent, and downloads additional malicious apps.

Here’s a scan of a MapperState file: Virustotal.com. The malware is flagged as Trojan, AdLoad, and Malware.

If your Mac is infected with MapperState, you may notice some of these symptoms:

• Your browser opens unexpected sites. Search results show too many ads. New tabs open on their own.
• Some websites don’t load. Some apps that rely on an online connection, such as your email client, might also fail to load. Some might even crash.
• Apps are installed without your permission.
• Unknown browser extensions are installed.
• Removing unwanted apps and changing settings doesn’t work – changes get reverted in a few hours or days.

MapperState is a malicious app that could be related to Mughthesec malware. Check out this post on Mughthesec by Objective-See if you want to see some screenshots of Mughthesec malware in action, installing apps and Safari extensions.

It spreads with malicious ads

MapperState is distributed by malicious ads. The malware was actually discovered and analyzed by Confiant, a company that focuses on stopping malicious advertisements. They found MapperState being distributed by malicious ads.

Fake ads are often used to trick people into installing malicious apps:

• Warnings that your Flash Player might be out of date (even though Flash Player has been retired).
• MacOS software update pop-ups.
• Web browser updates, like the important Chrome update available pop-ups.

If the victim falls for a similar fake ad, they download a malicious installer that installs MapperState. MapperState runs on its own and cannot be removed like normal apps. If you do delete it, it might just return soon after.

MapperState even checks if you’re running antivirus apps. This is the sort of thing that malicious apps do.

How to avoid malware online

You can’t always avoid malicious ads. Even legitimate websites occasionally get tricked into showing harmful ads. Not to mention more dangerous sites, such as pirating and free movie sites that are full of dangerous pop-up ads.

You could use ad blockers, malicious site blockers, and anti-malware apps that block dangerous content online. Although none of these solutions are perfect, they can improve your online security significantly.

In the end, it’s important to be careful and not to download suspicious installers. Malicious actors are very good at creating realistic facsimiles of real, legitimate sites and programs. You could use an anti-malware application to protect your Mac, though once again, no security app is perfect.

How to delete MapperState

Find and delete MapperState and related files. Delete MapperState’s profiles, network proxies, and review other settings. All that is described below.

You may need to start your Mac in safe mode to stop MapperState from interfering with its own deletion.

MapperState might have downloaded additional malware or it might have been installed together with other threats. Check by scanning your computer with an anti-malware application, such as Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and others.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove MapperState Mac Malware from macOS

Delete MapperState Mac Malware from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the MapperState 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 MapperState 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 MapperState Mac Malware.

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

Restore browser settings

How to remove MapperState Mac Malware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall MapperState Mac Malware 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 MapperState Mac Malware, 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 MapperState Mac Malware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find MapperState Mac Malware 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 MapperState Mac Malware, 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.