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April 07, 2020

Remove Akamaihd.net redirect from Mac (2020 Virus Removal Guide)



The akamaihd.net virus is a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP) that can tamper with your web browser. Mac users, regardless of if they use Google (News - Alert) Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer, have been dealing with akamaihd.net for quite a while. Windows users, on the other hand, tend to be a bit less susceptible to this unwanted program. Removing akamaihd.net requires you to take a few steps to ensure your computer is kept safe.



Akamaihd.net Basics

As a PUP, this malware and adware program can hijack your web browser and default search engine to direct you to search results pages. It brands itself as a content delivery network but has ulterior motives. While it may seem beneficial to get search results grouped together, typically this unwanted application sources all of its results from Yahoo's domain.

Ultimately, browser hijackers do exactly what their name says: They hijack your web browser. Adware programs, malware, and other PUPs aren't as benign as they may sound, however. Many of them are able to collect your information in the background and then sell it off to third-party buyers and cybercriminals.

It's also important to note that akamaihd.net stems from Akamai (News - Alert) Technologies. Akamai owns a great number of domains but akamaihd.net is one of the most-used and is also highly associated with malware and adware efforts. This is because a lot of the traffic this malware and adware program redirects is tied to another PUP known as Search Pulse (News - Alert). Search Pulse is another browser hijacker and has been known to give Mac users a massive headache when it comes to managing their computer and web browser settings.

Like most adware and malware, akamaihd.net and Search Pulse both make themselves difficult to remove. This is due, in large part, to the fact that they tend to leave behind small traces that even tech-savvy Mac users can easily overlook. Luckily, there are a few tactics you can use to combat both adware and malware on your Mac.

Use Anti-Virus Software

This may seem like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised how many Mac users overlook this key step. If you don't feel comfortable tackling a manual removal, this is the first step you should take. You can use HitmanPro, use Malwarebytes, or use Combo Cleaner. All three are cost-effective software options that have a great track record with the removal of adware and malware.

You'll need to download the program and depending on the level of security and how deep of a clean you need, you may need to upgrade to a paid version of certain programs. Combo Cleaner, in particular, is adept at removing malware and adware and has a proven track record when it comes to akamaihd.net.

After you've done a deep clean and removed the PUPs, you'll want to reboot your computer and complete another scan to make sure your computer is clean.

Try a Manual Removal

If you feel confident with removing adware and malware yourself, you can follow a few simple steps. You can press alt (the option key) and use a shortcut or manually open your control panel. You can then navigate through your control panel to find your applications folder.

Go through the applications folder and look for any signs of the adware or malware programs. You may be able to delete them from this folder. You'll then need to manually alter the settings in your web browsers to stop the redirection of your traffic.

Whether you're manually removing akamaihd.net or using an anti-virus program, it's important to continually monitor the health of your computer to ensure your information is protected and that a PUP is causing any long-term damage to your system.



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