How to remove MacWebService from Mac PC

Easy guide to delete MacWebService

MacWebService is an adware based application that provides a platform for its developers to promote their commercial content. However, such apps also have browser hijacker functionalities that are used to make modifications into browser settings in order to promote fake search engine. Its intrusion occurs without user’s information and soon after that numerous adverts start appearing during browsing sessions. It can collect information regarding users browsing habits/activities.

Further, due to its dubious distribution techniques, apps like this are considered to be potentially unwanted application. After intrusion, apps like MacWebService conduct changes on the installed browsers settings such as homepage, default search engine and new tab to the addresses of fake web searchers. Due to this users are redirected to this domain when they open their browsing tabs from there they are further redirected to some low quality websites.

Other feature of any adware type apps is delivering intrusive advertisements. The adverts are in form of pop-ups, banners, discounts and other similar ads typically on any visited websites. Furthermore, once clicked those ads redirect user to various unreliable or malicious pages and earn their profit. Some of the ads might execute scripts that can cause computer infection. Despite this, apps like MacWebService are also designed to track data.

The recorded details are in form of URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries etc and collect personal information extracted from it such as IP addresses, geo-locations and other similar details. Developers behind this share all collected data with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse them in order to make financial gain. In short, presence of unwanted software on machine leads to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses and other critical problems.

How did adware intrude?

Potentially unwanted applications intrusion does not require user’s approval. They intrude when users download some other software where they skip through crucial installation steps. Such PUPs are bundled with other free programs and the information about such is not disclosed properly as they are hidden behind custom/advanced options as well as other similar sections of download/installation processes. Rushing through installation steps and skipping available procedures increase the risk of getting installed bundled apps into the system. Other distribution techniques of this adware are spam mail attachments, malicious links, commercial site, peer to peer file sharing and various other tricks.

Remove MacWebService

Manual malware removal threat is hectic and time-consuming as it takes lots of time to detect and delete this nasty threat. This process also requires computer knowledge. If you have much IT skills, then you can go through such removal process. Despite this, you can also use some reliable antivirus removal tool that has the capability to remove MacWebService and all infiltrated adware completely and safely from the Mac operating system.

Threat specification

Name: MacWebService

Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Additional Information: This application belongs to Adload malware family.

Description: MacWebService is a fake search extension that injects advertisements of all sorts while browsing. Causing browser redirects to questionable sites.

Symptoms: Deliver of Fake Adobe Update warnings, installation of adware programs, Change of browser settings and displaying intrusive advertisements.

Distribution methods: Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.

Damage: Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.

Removal: In order to remove MacWebService, we recommend you to use some reliable anti-malware tool or follow given below removal instructions.

Remove Files and Folders Related to MacWebService

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove MacWebService from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete MacWebService add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to MacWebService. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.