How to remove SectionData (Mac)

What is SectionData

SectionData is an adware program that targets Mac users, delivering intrusive advertisements and redirecting users to potentially harmful websites. This application is often bundled with other free software, making it easy for users to inadvertently install it without their knowledge. Once installed, SectionData can significantly degrade system performance by bombarding users with pop-ups, banners, and other unwanted ads. Additionally, it may compromise user privacy by tracking browsing habits and collecting sensitive information. Security vendors widely flag SectionData as malicious due to its deceptive practices and association with scams. To maintain a secure computing environment, it is crucial to remove SectionData promptly and prevent future infections through cautious downloading habits.

How SectionData infects Mac computers

SectionData typically infects macOS devices through software bundling, where it is packaged with other free or unreliable applications. Users often unknowingly install this adware by skipping critical installation steps, particularly when opting for default settings instead of selecting “Custom” or “Advanced” options. Additionally, SectionData can be delivered via deceptive online tactics, such as misleading pop-up ads or suspicious links on untrustworthy websites. Once installed, it begins displaying intrusive advertisements and may redirect users to fraudulent sites designed to extract personal information. The adware can also track browsing activities, posing significant privacy risks. To mitigate the risk of infection, users should exercise caution when downloading software and regularly review their installed applications for any potentially unwanted programs.

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

Remove SectionData manually for free

Note: SectionData 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 “SectionData” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: SectionData 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 SectionData in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove SectionData from Applications

Remove SectionData from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall SectionData

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

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

Remove SectionData add-on from your browsers

Removing SectionData 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 SectionData 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 SectionData 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 SectionData 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 SectionData extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish SectionData 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 SectionData


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


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

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 SectionData in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like SectionData

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