How to remove ReferCyberspace (Mac)

What is ReferCyberspace

ReferCyberspace is classified as adware, which stands for advertising-supported software. Unlike legitimate advertising methods, adware aggressively pushes unwanted ads to users, often without their consent. These ads can take various forms, including pop-ups, banners, and redirects, and are typically displayed on visited websites or different interfaces within the operating system. The ads served by ReferCyberspace are not only annoying but can also pose significant risks. They often promote online scams, untrustworthy or hazardous software, and even malware. Some ads might execute scripts that perform downloads or installations without user permission when clicked. Furthermore, ReferCyberspace may have browser-hijacking functionalities, altering search engine settings or homepages to further expose users to unwanted content. ReferCyberspace is a form of adware that specifically targets Mac computers, part of the AdLoad malware family. Its primary function is to generate revenue for its developers through the display of intrusive advertisements. This article aims to provide comprehensive information on ReferCyberspace, including its characteristics, how it infects Mac systems, and steps for prevention and removal.

How ReferCyberspace infects Mac computers

ReferCyberspace typically gains access to Mac systems through deceptive means. Users might unknowingly install it when bundled with other software downloaded from the internet, especially from untrustworthy sources like freeware and file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, or through deceptive pop-up ads that mimic legitimate updates or software. Once installed, ReferCyberspace may add browser extensions or profiles to hijack browser settings, redirecting users to specific search engines or homepages and flooding their screens with pop-ups and ads. It can also change system settings to make its removal more challenging.

1. Download ReferCyberspace Removal Tool
2. Remove ReferCyberspace from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall ReferCyberspace from Applications
4. Remove ReferCyberspace from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove ReferCyberspace files and folders
7. Block ReferCyberspace ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like ReferCyberspace

Remove ReferCyberspace manually for free

Note: ReferCyberspace sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “ReferCyberspace” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: ReferCyberspace won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose ReferCyberspace in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full ReferCyberspace removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of ReferCyberspace installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove ReferCyberspace from Applications

Remove ReferCyberspace from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. ReferCyberspace might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall ReferCyberspace or ReferCyberspace Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag ReferCyberspace from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall ReferCyberspace

If you can’t uninstall ReferCyberspace using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of ReferCyberspace. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag ReferCyberspace from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with ReferCyberspace.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove ReferCyberspace add-on from your browsers

Removing ReferCyberspace from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the ReferCyberspace extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find ReferCyberspace extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find ReferCyberspace extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose ReferCyberspace extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish ReferCyberspace removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of ReferCyberspace


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ReferCyberspace.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ReferCyberspace.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ReferCyberspace.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ReferCyberspace.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote ReferCyberspace

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting ReferCyberspace in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ReferCyberspace

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac