Photo Zoom adware: How to detect and remove it on a Mac

Mac users with the Photo Zoom infection will see a whole load of unexpected and unwanted advertising. This means that the adware has been installed (often without your knowledge) as a plug-in/extension in your web browser. Comparable to other extensions, this gives it a certain amount of control over how you experience the internet.

Instead of the sort of experience you might be used to, Photo Zoom hijacks the browser. It injects adverts, pop-ups, advert redirects, and even hyperlinked words in web pages that direct you to even more adverts. Everywhere you go, there will be adverts and recommendations that you download software — all of that will contain other viruses. 

Adware, such as Photo Zoom, is not harmless. Apart from being annoying, this is a potentially dangerous backdoor into your Mac from the underworld of the internet. These days, adware and malware are often directly connected to the dark web. Cyber gangs can use these viruses to take over computers, either stealing data or taking control of a Mac. Cybercriminals can also exploit them to use the processing power of a Mac to mine cryptocoins or participate without the owners’ knowledge in a DDoS attack.

How can a Mac get infected?

Often, adware and similar viruses are bundled with other software people download from the internet. If you don’t go to a software website directly but instead download from third-party websites, the adware can get bundled into whatever else you wanted to download.

Adware creators bundle what they’ve made without the provider or platform being aware of it. However, once you’ve clicked to accept the download and install the program(s), the adware is included in those permissions, which means you’ve allowed it to hijack your browser.

Photo Zoom is known for bringing the following adware and other viruses with it, so when you want to solve this problem, you may also need to look out for these on your Mac and in your browsers: Online HD TV, PutLockerDownload, TornTV, 1ClickDown, 1ClickDownloader, FB Photo Zoom, GoPhoto.it, HDvid Codec, IB Updater, Incredibar Toolbar, OneClickDownload, and OneClickDownloader.

As with any virus, the sooner you remove it, the sooner your Mac will return to normal. It’s also the most effective way to avoid any other online risks associated with having an adware virus operating on your Mac.

How to remove Photo Zoom?

For most people, there is a good chance you don’t have this adware virus, as it has a short lifecycle, and Apple and web browser providers are constantly updating security settings.

Step #1:

To start with, if you are removing this manually, check your Applications folder for the following:

/Applications/Photo Zoom

Step #2:

If you find this, then go to your browsers (always best to check all of them and start with your default browser) and locate browser extensions and plug-ins. Browsers all come with quick, simple ways to remove any plug-ins/extensions you don’t want or need, so removing these should be easier.

Step #3:

Next, make sure to reset search engines and DNS settings back to your default. This way, you should avoid any recurrence of this or similar adware programs appearing on your Mac.

Step #4:

After this, manually check other files and folders in your Mac — Applications and Library are top priority — to make sure you’ve found any other trace of Photo Zoom and removed it.

Is there an easier way to remove Photo Zoom?

Yes, there is, with CleanMyMac X.

CleanMyMac X is a powerful all-in-one tool for the complete care of your Mac. With its help, you can easily remove junk files, speed up the system, and keep it safe from malware threats. 

To clear Photo Zoom out of your system this way, you need to do the following:

1. Download CleanMyMac X and open the app.
2. Navigate to Malware Removal on the left.
3. Click Scan.
4. Click Remove.

After that, your Mac will be operating at peak performance again. As good as new, without unwanted adverts, pop-ups, and other viruses.