How to remove FilterSoftware from Mac

Easy tips to delete FilterSoftware virus

FilterSoftware is an untrustworthy app that is designed to display various annoying ads and hijack the web browsers in-use by changing their settings. Usually, people do not know how they have downloaded and installed them on their systems. Therefore, these apps are given a special category of potentially unwanted applications.

The FilterSoftware adware generates advertisements that could open various potentially malicious pages, various scams, download sites for other PUAs and so on. Such ads can be designed to download, install unwanted applications. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to click on the ads displayed by the adware.

The FilterSoftware operates as browser hijackers as well – it changes the browsers’ homepage, new tab pages and search engine option and sets some fake search engine in place of them. The rogue URL aims to promote various sponsored and affiliated pages through the search results in the form of suspicious ads and links.

It can’t generate its own search results and therefore it takes the help of some legit web search engines such as bing.com, search.yahoo.com or google.com to display search results. The victim have no other choice than to surf the session with the said URL because the hijacker virus adds persistence – ensuring that they can’t restore the browsers’ settings to the default.

Like other adware and browser hijacker applications, FilterSoftware app also bears the dangerous data tracking potential. It can track the web browsing session and collect the data related to the users’ web browsing activities. The list of the data collected includes IP addresses, Search queries, viewed pages, URLs visited and etc.

These data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks. Thus, the presence of such apps can cause system infections, privacy issues, identity theft and much more. To avoid such issues, remove the suspicious app right away. To remove FilterSoftware, employ a reputable antivirus tool or use our manual instructions provided below the post.

How did FilterSoftware enter my system?

Most users download/ install adware through advertisements designed to execute scripts by clicking on those ads, fake installers downloaded from deceptive pages or downloaders/ installers for programs bundled with unwanted apps. Users agree to download/ install the unwanted apps alongside other programs when they do not check and change to the Custom/Advanced and similar settings available in the downloaders/ installers.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

It is recommended to use official websites and direct links for any software download and avoid p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers – as they often offer dubious and/or bundled content. Always check downloaders and installers for optional downloads or installations and de-select the unwanted ones.

Avoid clicking on any ads appear on any questionable sites such as gambling, adult dating and pornography and similar. These ads open the pages of same kind or sometimes can cause unwanted download/ installation by running certain scripts. If the system is already infected, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove FilterSoftware from the system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to FilterSoftware

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 FilterSoftware 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 FilterSoftware 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 FilterSoftware. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.