How to Get Rid of Spigot Malware in Mac? Step By Step Guides

Malware is an unwanted piece of program that is installed in your system without your knowledge. This malware is generally installed through a software bundle. The Spigot malware is the most common adware that gets installed this way. 

Adware is a form of malware that is moderately dangerous. They forcibly display ads and pop-ups in your web browsers. In some cases, they can steal your sensitive information as well. 

What is Spigot Malware?

Spigot malware is a web browser extension that gets installed in your local web browser. It advertises itself as improving the web experience. However, it can hijack your browser entirely. 

This malware will display pop-up ads, create random hyperlinks on web pages and redirect you to scammy websites. They do this to generate their own revenue through forceful ad displays.  

Why is Spigot Malware Dangerous? 

Adware are not necessarily dangerous but are very annoying. They can potentially diminish your web browsing experience. Spigot malware can also install other unwanted applications in your system. 

The websites you visit will be injected with unwanted ads. As a result, the content in the web page can automatically turn into hyperlinks. The Spigot malware will also randomly suggest fake updates and malicious software in notifications. 

The browser’s default homepage and its settings will change without your knowledge. This can cause the browser to crash and slow down your system. In addition, your Internet activity can be tracked and shared with third-parties.  

How to Get Rid of Spigot Malware in Mac?

Spigot malware is very easy to remove from the system. 

You should follow these solutions to try and remove Spigot malware from your Mac. 

Solution 1 – System Scan

Most adware including Spigot malware can easily be removed with a licensed antivirus software. A free antivirus may remove only some of the components but it will not remove the malware entirely.  

You should try to buy antivirus software from their official websites. Online shopping sites may provide discounts. However, it may not always provide a valid license.  

Run a full system scan if you already have an antivirus software. It will automatically detect and remove the Spigot malware from your system. 

Solution 2 – Manually Remove the Spigot Mac Malware 

You can manually remove Spigot malware if you don’t use an antivirus software. Follow the given steps carefully and you’ll easily get rid of it. 

1. Click on Go from the top menu of your Mac. Find and click on Applications. 
2. Find the Spigot malware from the list. Right click on it and select Move to Trash. Similarly, do this for any other suspicious applications that you find. 
3. Click on Go again and select Library. 
4. A collection of folders will appear. Navigate to Application Support and delete Spigot from the list. 
5. Go back to Library and open LaunchAgents folder. Here, you need to find and delete ‘com.Spigot.applicationmanager.plist’ and ‘com.Spigot.searchprotection.plist’.  
6. Finally, empty the trash from your system. 

Solution 3 – Remove Browser Extensions

You need to uninstall the Spigot malware extensions from your browsers after removing it from your system. 

Follow these steps to remove the extensions. 

Safari 

1. Open Safari and click on the ‘Safari’ menu option on the top-left. 
2. Select Preferences and head over to the Extensions tab. 
3. Find the Spigot extension and other malicious extensions that it may have installed. 
4. Select and uninstall these extensions. 

Google Chrome 

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three dots on the top-right. 
2. Select More Tools and click on Extensions. 
3. Find the malicious web extensions and just click on Remove. 

Firefox 

1. Open Firefox and click on Tools from the above menu. 
2. Head over to Add-ons and click on Extensions. 
3. Find the list of malicious extensions and select Remove. 

Solution 4 – Reset Browser Settings 

The Spigot malware should be removed from your system by now. However, you will have to reset your browser settings if you are still getting intrusive ad displays on web pages. 

You can do this by following these instructions:  

Safari 

1. Click Go from the top menu dock. Select Library from the list of options.
2. Find the Safari Folder and move it to some other location. You can move it to your desktop if you want. 
3. Find the Saved Application State folder in the Library folder. Delete ‘com.apple.Safari.savedState’ from the list. 
4. Go back and open the Caches folder. Find and delete all files starting with ‘com.apple.Safari’
5. Again, go back and open the Cookies folder. Delete ‘com.apple.Safari.SafeBrowsing.binarycookies’ from the list. 
6. Finally, open the Preferences folder and delete ‘com.apple.safari’ from the list. 

Google Chrome 

1. Click on the three dots from Google Chrome’s window. Click on Settings. 
2. Navigate and click on the Advanced Settings. You can find this at the end of the page. 
3. Select the Reset option. 
4. Click on Reset again when it asks for confirmation. 

Firefox 

1. Click on Help from Firefox’s menu. 
2. Go to Troubleshooting Information and select Refresh Firefox. 
3. Click on Refresh Firefox again when it asks for confirmation. 

Conclusion

After going through the solutions, you must’ve gotten rid of Spigot malware from your Mac system. You can prevent future problems by downloading the required software from their official websites. 

Third-party installers like those provided by Softonic and Cnet are the most common sources of infection. Always opt for ‘Custom Installation’ while downloading these software. You will have an option to uncheck the additional programs and bundles.