Polyhedrical.app is a macOS adware from the Pirrit family. Its purpose is to display intrusive pop-up advertisements and redirects, while also potentially collecting browsing data. Although it does not encrypt files like ransomware, it compromises privacy and affects system performance.
Threat Overview
Field | Details |
---|---|
Threat type | Adware, Mac malware |
Associated domain | Polyhedrical.app (Pirrit family) |
Detection names | Avast: MacOS:Pirrit‑CH [Adw], ESET: OSX/Adware.Pirrit.BP, Combo Cleaner: Adware.MAC.Pirrit.KF |
Symptoms of infection | Slowed Mac performance, pop-up ads, browser redirects |
Damage & distribution | Tracks browsing, serves ads, may expose users to scams; spreads via deceptive pop-ups, software bundling, P2P downloads |
Danger level | Medium – privacy and performance risk |
Removal tool | SpyHunter (recommended) – Download SpyHunter |
Threat Evaluation
How I Got Infected
Polyhedrical.app often gets installed when users unknowingly agree to bundled installations while downloading freeware or fake system updates. It can also be triggered by deceptive pop-up ads pretending to be legitimate system alerts.
What It Does
Once installed, this adware modifies browser settings to push unwanted advertisements, banner pop-ups, and redirect users to sponsored or potentially harmful websites. It can track user activity, including visited URLs, IP addresses, and search queries. This data is typically monetized through advertising networks or sold to third parties.
Should You Be Worried for Your System?
Yes. Although Polyhedrical.app is not destructive in the way ransomware or trojans are, it opens the door to more severe cybersecurity risks. Its presence indicates a compromised system, and it can act as a delivery mechanism for more dangerous malware types. It significantly disrupts user experience, slows down system operations, and violates user privacy.
Method 1: Manually Removing Adware from Your Mac
Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Applications
- Open
Finder
and navigate toApplications
. - Carefully review the list and look for applications you don’t recognize or didn’t install.
- Drag any suspicious applications to the
Trash
. - Empty the
Trash
to ensure they’re permanently removed. - Open
System Preferences
>Users & Groups
>Login Items
. - Remove any unknown startup programs by selecting them and clicking the
-
button.
Step 2: Remove Unwanted Browser Extensions
Safari
- Open Safari and click
Safari
>Preferences
>Extensions
. - Look for any extensions you don’t recognize and uninstall them.
- Go to
History
> “Clear History” to remove traces of adware-related activity.
Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select
Extensions
. - Find any unfamiliar extensions and remove them.
- Reset Chrome by going to
Settings
>Reset settings
> “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the three-line menu and go to
Add-ons and themes
. - Remove any unknown extensions.
- Reset Firefox via
Help
>More troubleshooting information
> “Refresh Firefox.”
Step 3: Delete Malicious Files and Folders
- Open
Finder
, pressShift + Command + G
, and enter the following locations:~/Library/Application Support/
~/Library/LaunchAgents/
~/Library/LaunchDaemons/
~/Library/Preferences/
- Look for suspicious files and remove them.
Step 4: Clear Your DNS Cache
- Open
Terminal
. - Type the following command and hit Enter:
- Enter your administrator password if prompted.
Step 5: Restart Your Mac
Restart your Mac to finalize the removal process.
Method 2: Automatically Remove Adware with SpyHunter for Mac
If you prefer a hassle-free solution, SpyHunter for Mac can detect and eliminate adware efficiently.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Click the link below to download SpyHunter for Mac: Download SpyHunter Here.
Step 2: Install and Set Up SpyHunter
- Open the downloaded
.dmg
file. - Drag SpyHunter into the
Applications
folder. - Launch SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.
Step 3: Run a Full System Scan
- Open SpyHunter.
- Click
Start Scan
. - Wait for the scan to complete and review the detected threats.
- Click
Fix Threats
to remove any adware found on your system.
Step 4: Restart Your Mac
Once SpyHunter has completed the removal, restart your Mac to ensure all traces of adware are gone.
Conclusion
Polyhedrical.app is a persistent macOS adware threat that hijacks browsers, delivers intrusive advertisements, and compromises privacy. It spreads through deceptive installation tactics and bundled software. Removing it is essential to restoring secure and stable system performance.
Use SpyHunter to scan and remove this threat completely. This adware can evolve into a broader system security concern if left unaddressed.