SectionBrowser Adware - How to remove

SectionBrowser is the name used for functions and certain user interface items by various software. But here, we are talking about SectionBrowser adware, a malicious app that infects Macs and hijacks web browsers, causes system instability, and keeps coming back after being deleted. SectionBrowser can be removed for good, but it’s a little complicated.

About SectionBrowser:

Classification	Adware.
How it gets installed	Advertised online as another application, bundled in other apps, downloaded by malware that’s already in the system.
How SectionBrowser affects the infected Mac	The internet connection and the apps may become unstable, the browser is hijacked, the search results are opened in the wrong website, too many ads are displayed.
How to delete SectionBrowser permanently	Find and delete suspicious files (advisable to use the help of an anti-malware app, like Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, or others), review system preferences and restore the settings that SectionBrowser might have changed.

How SectionBrowser spreads

SectionBrowser is an app and a browser extension, however, it doesn’t really have an identity or a front. It just appears on a Mac. Often, it appears not alone but with multiple almost identical apps, like ArchimedesLookup, GSearch, OperationPage, etc.

One of the most likely ways that SectionBrowser is downloaded is in fake software updates. Pop-up ads that say that you need to update your Flash Player, that your software update is ready, warnings about a missing font in your browser, and even warnings about malware on your computer.

Malicious actors create these warnings and then buy ads to promote them.

Malicious files downloaded from such malicious websites are adware bundles. They can include SectionBrowser and other malware. Sometimes, there’s already a trojan on the computer that downloads malware. It’s even possible that a Trojan.Downloader might bring it on your Mac.

The point is, SectionBrowser requires the owner of the computer to be tricked and manipulated into downloading a file or clicking on a link. Then, SectionBrowser is downloaded and installed without the user’s knowledge and against their will.

To remain installed, SectionBrowser places its files in the hidden /Library folders, creates configuration profiles to hijack the browser, and sets new network settings to hijack the victim’s internet traffic.

Effects of an infection

SectionBrowser may or may not be disruptive. Most of the people who have problems with it seem to use the Safari browser, so if you use another one, you may not be as affected.

But at worst, here are the effects that SectionBrowser might cause:

• Crashing online apps. Browsers, email, iTunes, and other apps might not work correctly while SectionBrowser is installed.
• Search redirects and excessive ads. Searches might be redirected to Yahoo, the new tab might turn into SearchMarquis, some links might open the wrong sites.
• Slow or unstable internet connection.
• Giant pop-ups informing about completed installation, unneeded updates, and other inane messages.
• The adware keeps returning after being removed.

How to remove SectionBrowser

Safe mode

It is possible to remove SectionBrowser but it’s not very straightforward. It’s easier to use an anti-malware app but it won’t do everything for you.

Start your Mac in safe mode. This will stop SectionBrowser and other adware until the time that you reboot your Mac again.

Delete bad files

Delete SectionBrowser and the other unwanted apps.

Then you can look for SectionBrowser’s files and other malicious files and delete them. Start by opening Finder, then the Go menu, then the Go to Folder option. This will bring up a dialog. Type in the names of these folders:

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

Now, look for files that have “SectionBrowser” in their names. Look for files that were added at or around the time that SectionBrowser appeared. Delete them. Don’t delete the other files or you might lose the settings and some saved data of your legitimate apps.

The problem here is that I can’t tell you what all those files are called. This is where an anti-malware scan with Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, or any program that you’re comfortable using would be good.

Fix your settings

But there’s still more to do.

First, the SectionBrowser browser extensions need to be uninstalled. Check each of the web browsers that are installed on your computer. I put the instructions at the bottom.

Then, there are the profiles, network settings, and system extensions that need to be reviewed. Open System Preferences:

• Go to Profiles. Delete all entries that you didn’t put there.
• Network, Advanced, Proxies. SectionBrowser might set your Mac to use a SOCKS proxy, so deselect it and save.
• Open Extensions. Review your extensions and remove those that you are not familiar with and that look suspicious.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Restore browser settings

How to remove SectionBrowser 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 SectionBrowser 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 SectionBrowser 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 SectionBrowser Adware from Google Chrome on Mac:

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