How To Remove Mac Cleaner PUP (Mac)

Simple Steps To Delete Mac Cleaner

Mac Cleaner is promoted as a useful tool that cleans, protects and optimizes Mac PC systems as it uninstalls unwanted apps, removes duplicate, junk files and so on. However, this program is being spread through deceptive methods without users’ knowledge and hence, it has been categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). It has feature that is used by Mac users to scan their systems for duplicate, large and old files, installed malicious programs and remove them. However, in order to be able to take advantage of this application, people need to purchase its full version.

Depth Analysis of Mac Cleaner:

Mac Cleaner allows people to scan their Mac systems. However, it has been designed in a way that it detects fake issues and displays fake scan results but don’t fix any problem for free. However, these types of fraudulent system optimizers or cleaners don’t actually enhance the PC performance, remove junk files, fix any issues. The only motive of such tools is to deceive users into believing that some issues have been detected in their computers and making them pay for their activation, registration. So, people should ignore these fake claims and avoid paying for useless service.

PUPs like Mac Cleaner are often distributed along with other unwanted programs like adware or browser hijackers. Both these apps can track users’ online activities such as pages viewed, links clicked on, search queries typed and so on and gather browsing related and other crucial information. The collected data is often utilized for generating and displaying eye-catching advertisements in order to get as many clicks on them as possible and earn maximum revenues via pay-per-click mechanism.

Mac Cleaner can be responsible for the appearance of numerous intrusive ads and pop-ups on your system screen that makes your online surfing very complex. It redirects people to phishing, scamming or even malware-laced sites that host trojan, spyware or even deadly ransomware that may result in more malware infections. Data-tracking apps can also steal your personal and confidential information relating to banking and other financial details that could be misused for deceptive purchases, transactions and for other malicious purposes. PUPs often slow down the overall system performance drastically as they consume enormous amount of memory resources and increase the usage of CPU. And hence, it’s highly advised to perform Mac Cleaner adware removal from the machine without wasting any time.

Summarize Information

Name: Mac Cleaner

Type: Mac malware, Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Claims to improve Mac performance but tries to deceive users into purchasing its full version, Redirects people to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: An app that you do not remember installing suddenly appeared on your PC, A new application is performing system scans and displays alert messages about ‘found issues’, Asks for payment to fix the allegedly found errors, Tons of intrusive adverts, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft. Users are enforced to search the Internet using fake search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

How Do PUPs Enter System?

Unwanted programs like adware or browser hijackers are most often spread through the download and installation setups of other free apps. It takes place when PUPs are added in download and installation wizard as additional offers. Such extra components are usually hidden under the ‘Quick’ or ‘Basic’ settings and when people install the software using the pre-set options, they often end up installing such PUPs in the machine along with the carrier software.

Tips To Prevent Adware Intrusion:

Peer-to-peer networks (such as torrent clients, eMule), third-party downloaders, installers, unofficial sites and other similar download channels must be avoided to prevent PUP installations. Download any software or product from reliable source and via direct download links. Moreover, always select Advanced or Custom installation setups to install programs and defuse offers to install any additional software. In case your device is already infected with this PUP, you must remove Mac Cleaner from the Mac computer as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Mac Cleaner

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