Error While Installing Pop-up
While it is normal to encounter errors during the installation process of apps from time to time, some Mac users have begun encountering an 'Error While Installing' Mac pop-up message that appears every time they start their computer systems. The exact text of the message may vary but in most cases, it is something similar to 'Expecting value: line 1 column 1(char 0).' It has been determined that this particular error could be part of the activities of malware threats but it is far more likely to be caused by a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that has managed to sneak itself onto the Mac system.
PUPs rely extensively on deceptive marketing tactics to spread themselves as users are unlikely to download such apps intentionally. Techniques such as 'bundling' where the PUP's installation is added as a preselected choice under the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' options of another more popular app's installation process are extremely common. Another method sees the PUP being peddled under the guise of fake software installers/updates.
PUPs can possess a range of abilities that although not posing any direct danger to the user's Mac can still significantly increase the security risks they face. Adware apps can start running an intrusive advertising campaign that will flood the system with unwanted ads resulting in a significantly diminished user experience. Far more importantly, however, engaging with the ads could take the user to questionable or outright unsafe third-party websites.
Browser hijackers, on the other hand, are designed to drive artificial traffic and promote a sponsored web address, usually that of a fake search engine. They do this by taking over certain browser setting such as the homepage, new tab page, and the default search engine. Browser hijackers most often than not will also attempt to spy on the user's browsing activities. The collected information includes the browsing history, clicked URLs, conducted searchers. Systems details such as IP address, ISP (Internet Service Provider), and geolocation might also be tracked.
Users seeing the 'Error While Installing' Mac pop-up should run a scan of their computer with a professional anti-malware solution as soon as possible. Consider removing all suspicious apps detected by the scan.
