ProgramInitiator is Mac malware. ProgramInitiator displays advertisements in the Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox web browser for Mac.

ProgramInitiator is usually suggested on the internet bundled with other free software you can download from the internet. Users are most likely not aware when they install software downloaded from the internet the ProgramInitiator adware is also installed on their Mac.

The data collected by ProgramInitiator is used for advertising purposes. The data is sold to advertising networks. Because ProgramInitiator collects data from your browser, ProgramInitiator is also classified as (PUP) Potentially Unwanted Program.

ProgramInitiator adware will install itself in the Google Chrome and Safari browser only on Mac OS X. Neither Apple of any browser developer yet notices this adware as dangerous.

Remove ProgramInitiator

mac osx adware

Before we start you need to remove an administrator profile from your Mac settings. The administrator profile prevents Mac users from uninstalling ProgramInitiator from your Mac computer.

  • In the top left corner click on the Apple icon.
  • Open Settings from the menu.
  • Click on Profiles
  • Remove the profiles: AdminPref, Chrome profile, or Safari profile by clicking the – (minus) in the bottom left corner.

safariRemove ProgramInitiator – Safari

  • Open Safari
  • In the top left menu open the Safari menu.
  • Click on Settings or Preferences
  • Go to the Extensions tab
  • Remove the ProgramInitiator extension. Basically, remove all extensions you do not know.
  • Go to the General tab, change the homepage from ProgramInitiator to one of your choices.

google chromeRemove ProgramInitiator – Google Chrome

  • Open Google Chrome
  • In the top right corner open the Google menu.
  • Click on More Tools, then Extensions.
  • Remove the ProgramInitiator extension. Basically, remove all extensions you do not know.
  • In the top right corner open the Google menu once again.
  • Click on Settings from the menu.
  • In the left menu click on Search Engines.
  • Change the Search engine to Google.
  • In the On Startup section click on Open the new tab page.

Remove ProgramInitiator – Malwarebytes (Mac OS X)

Download Malwarebytes (Mac)

Click the Scan button to start a search for the ProgramInitiator adware.

When Malwarebytes is done, restart your Mac computer.

malwarebytes mac osx

I hope this helped you get rid of ProgramInitiator on Mac. Need help? Use the comments below!

Categorized in:

Adware removal instructions,

Last Update: March 20, 2023