How to remove ImagineReview from Mac Computer

Simple steps to delete ImagineReview

The given below article aim is to provide you complete details about ImagineReview as well as also recommend you some removal tips to remove it immediately from the system.  According to expert, this dubious malware has been classified as an adware family. so, we suggest our user don’t be panic and go through the given below article carefully. Therefore, without any wasting time, let’s start discussion about this adware in details.

What is ImagineReview?

ImagineReview is described as nasty malware and computer infection that is specifically designed by hackers not only to feed users with various deceptive advertisements but also promote some fake search engines by modifying internet browser settings. In simple words, this app has both function as adware and a browser hijacker. It is able to work with all popular and well known browsers such as IE, Mozilla Firefox, Google chrome and many others. It is created by hackers to show unwanted and annoying ads on the compromised system. Thus, this and other similar types of apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications.

Further, it will bombard your desktop screen with lots of ads and pop-ups, banners, offers etc. In order to click on those ads, you will get redirected to harmful websites or even execute malicious scripts that are designed to download and install some unwanted apps. additionally, it also has the capability to track users browsing related activity and collect information including IP addresses, URLs search, pages viewed and other similar data. Sometimes, it can also steal your personal and financial details. After that developers share all those details with third parties who misuse it in order to generate revenue. In short, presence of data tracking apps cause huge risk of privacy issues and even leads to identity theft. So, in such case, removal of ImagineReview is compulsory.

Intrusion tactics of ImagineReview:

In most cases, PUAs gets downloaded and installed into your system without having your permission. It mainly get spread through bundles of free software programs, fake updates, spam emails, cracked software and phishing websites. Once this malware installed successfully, it will disable your antivirus and firewall security to avoid its removal and detection. It also injects its malign codes that help this threat in getting started automatically on your Mac system. Further, it will create several malicious copies and spread into different locations by using different names. So, it is advised to remove this nasty infection soon from the computer.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reason for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior therefore you must always pay close attention while downloading and installing software as well as surfing online. All software should only be downloaded by using official and trustworthy websites. Other unreliable tools like third party installer, unofficial pages, free file hosting sites and other similar channels should not be used as it is mainly used to promote rogue applications. While installing, it is important to read terms, explore all possible options, use custom/advance settings and opt out for all additionally included programs. Further, it is not safe to click on deceptive ads as they redirect user to harmful WebPages. If your computer gets infected with rogue applications then we recommend you to remove ImagineReview automatically from the PC.

Threat summary

Name: ImagineReview

Type: PUP, Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus  

Short Description: A questionable application that hijacks Mac systems and popular browsers like Safari and Chrome installed on them. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge.

Symptoms: Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac.

Distribution Method: Bundled downloads, deceptive pop-up ads, torrent file downloads, corrupted websites and many more.

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

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove ImagineReview as soon as possible from the system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ImagineReview

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