InitialWindow

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and adware have become a very common issue that macOS users have to deal with. Apple's operating system was considered to be an impossible target for cybercriminals until a few years ago but, unfortunately, times have changed. Nowadays, macOS is being targeted not just by harmless software like PUPs and adware, but also be high-profile malware such as Remote Access Trojans (RATs,) keyloggers, and others. The subject of this post, InitialWindow, a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that runs on macOS exclusively.

This software does not have an official website or download location, and it is not associated with a particular publisher. Instead, it seems that its unknown authors are relying on misleading ads, email spam, fake downloads, and software bundles to distribute it worldwide.

If the InitialWindow is installed on an unprotected macOS system, the program may immediately set up a new 'Device Profile' and 'Launch Daemon' to ensure that its changes will be persistent. The goal of InitialWindow is to redirect the user's Web searches to 3rd-party search aggregators that may often display an increased number of ads. On top of this, users may also experience random browser redirects to unknown ad-ridden pages. Obviously, the InitialWindow is not helpful or entertaining at all, and its sole purpose is to generate ad revenue for its creators. It is recommended to protect your macOS from InitialWindow and similar software by using an up-to-date security tool.