CentralStructured Safari App - How to remove

CentralStructured is a strange Mac application and a Safari extension that causes frequent crashes and can be very difficult to remove. This application appears with the message “Installation Complete…”, even though users do not voluntarily download it. It’s suspected to spread with fake updates on malicious websites and to be used as adware and spyware.

CentralStructured – a browser hijacker

CentralStructured isn’t unique – it appears in other names and it might be replaced by similarly named extensions, such as ProductEvent, SimpleProExtension, and others. Multiple of these apps can be installed at once. They can usually be recognized by their icon – a while magnifying glass on a green background. These apps also have the ability to read the user’s browsing history and everything they type in all websites.

CentralStructured – an annoying Mac infection:

Type of threat	Adware Spyware Browser hijacker
CentralStructured infection symptoms	Safari opens on its own The Mac crashes periodically
Distribution of CentralStructured	Fake software updates Downloaded by other malware
Remove CentralStructured	Delete malware (Combo Cleaner) Remove suspicious applications and files Uninstall CentralStructured manually

Despite their names and the icon being extraordinarily boring, these are not system’s default applications – they’re malware, or at least potentially unwanted.   There are symptoms that people infected with CentralStructured experience:

• CentralStructured periodically opens and crashes the Safari browser.
• The Mac freezes occasionally, with a notification about its completed installation.
• CentralStructured keeps reinstalling itself after it’s deleted.

Besides interrupting work and crashing the system, CentralStructured is suspicious for its spyware abilities. As a browser add-on, CentralStructured can see what you type in pages, including usernames and passwords, so if you use a browser infected with CentralStructured, you risk revealing private data to cybercriminals and having your online accounts hacked. CentralStructured might also be able to change the appearance of webpages, which would allow it to inject ads into websites as they’re rendered to you.

Browser add-ons being used to advertise and to spy on users are plentiful and they’re often created and distributed by advertising companies. They don’t usually behave as badly as CentralStructured does, though – they use manipulation and deception, but they’re technically legal. CentralStructured, though, is just malware.

How CentralStructured infects systems

People don’t download CentralStructured voluntarily – they only learn about it when the application shows this pop-up:

Installation Complete…

The configuration process is done. To finish, press OK

A big green arrow points to the OK button, making suspicious users avoid clicking on it. This might crash their browser and might even require rebooting the Mac.

It appears that most victims of CentralStructured and its siblings catch these infections from fake software updates. For example, even though Adobe Flash Player is barely used anymore, scammers still spread fake pop-ups claiming that your version is outdated and urging you to install the new one. Were you to fall for it, you might download and install some kind of malware.

Other sources that spread malware include:

• Ads and redirects that open fake browser updates.
• Websites with fake virus detections.
• Spoofed download sites.
• Emails with links to malicious sites.

Make sure to always scan the files you download with an antivirus program before you run them because Mac malware can cause malicious pop-ups in your system, open malicious websites in the browser, show unwanted ads, and steal personal information, or sell you fake tech support.

How to remove CentralStructured

CentralStructured can be removed like an unwanted application and extension and this can be done manually, however, the add-on keeps reinstalling itself, so some files need to be deleted first. You can do that manually or automatically.

Before you can uninstall CentralStructured by dragging it to Trash, you need to remove malicious files hidden in your system that are causing the app to stay installed. You might find files named “CentralStructured” or similar from these folders:

• ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• /Library/LaunchAgents
• /Library/LaunchDaemons

Find them by going to the Finder menu, Go, and Go to Folder. If you notice files that are named “…Search”, be suspicious – they might be responsible for CentralStructured being unremovable. But also be careful because some of the files there are important – you might want to create backups of those folders first. In fact, you might want to make sure you have a backup of your system ready in case something breaks.

Alternatively, you can use an antivirus scanner. Use a trusted application, like Combo Cleaner, and scan your system. If it finds adware, you can remove it.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove CentralStructured Safari App from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall CentralStructured Safari App and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to CentralStructured Safari App, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.