Get-user-id Adware

Get-user-id is an application that tries to convince Mac users to install it on their computers. Unfortunately, analysis of the application has revealed that it is little more than another PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program). As such, Get-user-id is likely to take over the user's browser to promote a sponsored address, while also generating various questionable advertisements.

PUPs with browser hijacker capabilities can assume control over most browsers and modify certain settings, mainly, the homepage, new tab page and the default search engine. The goal is to set all three to now open the promoted address. Users should be warned that in nearly all cases, where browser hijackers are involved, the address they promote belongs to a fake search engine.

Adware applications, on the hand, monetize their presence via intrusive ad campaigns. They can be responsible for the delivery of annoying advertisements, severely impacting the user experience on the device. More importantly, the shown ads could be promoting shady or outright unsafe destinations. Users may see advertisements for hoax websites, phishing pages, fake giveaways and more.

While these more visible aspects of the PUP are occupying the user's attention, the application also could silently collect various data and transmit it to its operators. It is common for such invasive programs to monitor the user's browsing activities and harvest various device details. Sometimes, the PUP may even try to extract account credentials and banking information from the affected browser's autofill data.