Summary: Nowadays, scammers can take over and use your legitimate macOS processes. The perfect example is NSURLSessionD. It is running on the background as a default Apple’s process, however hackers can use it to update browser settings or upload private data. despite its background purpose. While the risk associated with the issue may not be deemed as severe and does not result in data loss, we still advise you to back up your Mac regularly. It will enable you to effortlessly recover any inadvertently deleted files if you encounter any issues after fixing the discussed problem.
Malware and adware are malicious software that can take over a computer and cause issues like excessive CPU use, browser redirects, and annoying pop-up ads.
If you discover that NSURLSessionD is operating excessively on your Mac, your device may be hijacked. But don’t get too anxious. We’ll equip you with four ways to fix the issue.
In this article, we’ll delve into various methods by which a browser hijacker can penetrate a Mac system. You’ll also learn about the indicative signs you should be aware of and measures you can use to safeguard your precious Mac against such pernicious software.
Understanding the NSURLSessionD Mac Issue
NSURLsessionD is a daemon process designed explicitly for macOS. It manages various operations, including caching, cookie storage, and redirect handling. Also, it’s responsible for managing background transfers and downloads.
However, in some situations, it may cause elevated CPU and memory usage, resulting in a decrease in the operational speed of your Mac. The symptoms may include unresponsive apps, frequent system freezes, and a noticeable decrease in overall system performance.
Check out the table below for more details:
| Name | NSURLSessionD |
| Category | Browser hijacker |
| Symptoms | If NSURLSessionD is hijacked by malware, you may experience the following symptoms: – High CPU or memory usage – Strange redirects in your web browser – Unwanted ads – Personal information being collected |
| Distribution | NSURLSessionD can be distributed through a variety of ways, including – Clicking on a malicious link in an email or on a website – Downloading a file from an untrusted source – Installing a free app that contains bundled malware |
| Consequences | If NSURLSessionD is hijacked by malware, the consequences can be rather unpleasant. The malware can: – Redirect your traffic to unwanted websites – Display unwanted ads – Collect personal information about you – Be potentially used for identity theft or other crimes |
Root Causes of the Problem
Browser hijackers can be installed on your Mac in a variety of ways, including:
- Background Network Activity: Certain applications might continue to run network requests in the background, causing NSURLSessionD to consume resources even when the application is not being used.
- Network Issues: Unstable or slow network connections can lead to NSURLSessionD attempting to retry failed network requests, contributing to increased resource consumption.
- App Design and Bugs: Poorly optimized applications or software bugs might lead to excessive network requests being initiated, overwhelming the NSURLSessionD process.
How to Fix the NSURLSessionD Mac Issue?
If you think that your Mac has been infected with a browser hijacker, there are a few things you can do to remove it.
- Quit NSURLSessionD via Terminal
One of the first steps to fix the issue is to quit the process. Here is how:
- Start by opening Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.
- Select NSURLSessionD and click the X button.
- When prompted, select Force Quit.
2. Restart NSURLSessionD Process
You can use the Terminal to restart the NSURLSessionD. Here is what you need to do:
- Open the Terminal.
- Type killall -HUP nsurlsessiond to restart the process.
3. Remove Login Items
If the NSURLSessionD process is hijacked, it may install items that help you log in or start-up. These items can restore themselves automatically when the Mac starts up.
In your Mac’s System Settings, you can do the following to remove it:
- Choose Apple logo > System Settings > General > Login Items.
- Select anything that shouldn’t be in the Open at Login section and click the minus (–) button to get rid of it.
4. Delete Suspicious Browser Extensions
Browser hijackers often install themselves as browser extensions. Let’s look closer at how to remove unneeded extensions from the most used browser:
Safari
To turn off and remove unwanted extensions from Safari, follow these steps:
- Open Safari Settings.
- Select the add-on you want to remove in the Extensions tab and click Uninstall.
- When asked, click Show in Finder in the pop-up box, drag the extension to the Trash (Bin), and empty it.
Chrome
To get rid of extra extensions in Chrome, do the following:
- Go to Chrome Settings from the menu bar.
- Select Extensions.
- Find the one you want to delete > click Remove.
Firefox
To remove add-ons in Firefox:
- Select Tools from the Firefox menu bar > Add-ons and themes.
- Find the add-on you want to delete > click the three dots > and select Remove.
How to Prevent the NSURLSessionD Mac Issue?
- To make sure you won’t get troubles with NSURLSessionD on your Mac in the future, follow these easy tips:
- Keep your macOS and applications updated to the latest versions. Developers frequently release updates to enhance performance and fix bugs.
- Review and limit the background apps allowed to run network activities. You can manage these settings in System Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy > App Activity.
- Maintain a stable and fast network connection to prevent NSURLSessionD from engaging in prolonged retries.
- Before installing new applications, read reviews and user experiences to ensure they do not have a history of causing NSURLSessionD-related problems.
- Regularly check the Activity Monitor to identify any unusual resource consumption by applications or processes.
Wrapping Up
NSURLSessionD is a legitimate process developed by Apple that, unfortunately, can be exploited by malicious software. If you suspect your Mac has fallen victim to a browser hijacker, follow the steps to get rid of this pesky intruder. Simply follow the instructions outlined above. If you lose files at any stage, you may need data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac.
To avoid getting infected in the future, be careful about what you click on and what you download.
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