Adware:OSX/Genieo

Classification

Type :

Adware

Aliases :

genieo, adware/osx.genieo.[variant], Application:OSX/Genieo.[variant]

Summary

This detection indicates that the program has features or behavior that matches known products from the Genieo software company. Typically, these programs will alter the settings of the web browser to offer custom searches and advertising content.

Depending on its behavior, the program may be categorized as either an adware or an application.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either automatically delete or quarantine the file, or ask you for a desired action.

Manually remove the adware

Further instructions on how to control pop-up ads and manually remove adware are available on the Apple Support page:

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

The program may have been distributed and silently installed as part of an application bundle. Depending on how it is presented during the installation process for the bundle, users may be unaware that they have inadvertently installed this adware or application along with the other bundled software.

When active, the program displays advertising content based on the user's web browsing activities.

There have been reports that the program is difficult to remove, as the uninstaller does not fully remove all installed components.

If the user was not clearly informed of the program's presence and behavior before its installation, it may be considered a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).