StartEssentials
StartEssentials may try to present itself as a useful application but the truth is quite different. The application is leveraged against Mac users and offers little legitimate functionality. Instead, it focuses on delivering intrusive advertisements on the device, promoting a dubious search engine, and potentially collecting browsing-related information. Furthermore, StartEssentials is classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) due to the way it spreads itself. Exactly like most PUPs, the application doesn't wait for users to download and install it intentionally. Instead, it employed manipulative and deceptive distribution tactics that allow it to mask its installation from the attention of the user.
No matter how StartEssentials managed to infiltrate the Mac system, it will begin to monetize its presence almost immediately by generating unwanted advertising materials. These advertisements could be in the form of pop-ups, coupons, banners, in-text links and more. The advertisements might include clickbait messages intended to lure users into engaging with them. Then, via forced redirects, they could take the user to questionable pages such as phishing sites, fake giveaways, or domains promoting more PUPs.
The annoying activities of StartEssentials do not stop there. Its browser hijacker capabilities will kick in and establish control over the Web browser's settings. More specifically, the application will try to modify the homepage, new tab page, and the default search engine forcing them to open the address of a fake search engine. Usually, browser hijackers will prevent users from reverting the adjusted settings to their previous state.
Users who have PUPs present on their devices risk having their browsing activities tracked, collected, and then uploaded to a remote server. Among the gathered information could be the entire browsing and search histories, IP address, geolocation and more. The operators of the PUP could afterward try to sell the data to interested third parties.
