How to remove OptimalRecord Ads Adware Mac

Easy methods to delete OptimalRecord Ads adware from PCs (Remove Mac Virus)

OptimalRecord Ads is very dangerous Mac Virus categorized as both adware and browser hijacker virus. This nasty application operates by delivering malicious advertisements campaigns and making modification to certain browser’s settings including homepage, new tab URLs and search engine of your browser by assigning address of some fake search engine to these settings. Additionally, most adware of this type attempts to trace/monitor your online activities and steals your sensitive information. Since, you download/install this dubious application inadvertently, it is also considered as potentially unwanted application (PUA).

OptimalRecord Ads adware-type application (Ad-support application) delivers huge amount of ads or popup on your browser in the form of banners, coupons, big discount offers ads, commercial ads, commercial ads, fake news, fake software update or security alert messages and many other types of advertisements. It is not easy task for you to delete/close these advertisements one-by-one in your machine. These unwanted ads or popup also appears even when browser is closed. Once clicked on malicious advertisements, it redirects your browser’ search on various unreliable/malicious websites, while some can even stealthily download/install PUAs in your machine.

OptimalRecord Ads browser hijacker assigns address of some bogus search engine or third parties’ domain to your browser’s settings. It attempts to trick you into installing fake browser helper objects (BHO) such as unwanted browser extensions, plug-ins and/or add-ons on your browser. These fake browser helper objects when installed, attackers behind this malware attack are capable of tracing your online habits without your knowledge. It shows always bogus results or loads misleading contents on your browser and delivers bogus security alert or software update alert message on your browser. The main purpose of attackers behind monitoring browsing activities is to collect your browsing-related data or sensitive information. These collected data can be shared with other hackers to generate some revenue or misused for illegal purposes. So, it is important to remove OptimalRecord Ads adware from machine as soon as possible.

Threat Summary

Name: OptimalRecord Ads, OptimalRecord Ads Mac Malware, OptimalRecord Ads adware

Type: Adware, Mac Malware, Mac Virus

Affected browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox

Description: Able to hijack your main browser including Google Chrome, Internet explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and/or other browsers. It is also designed to monitor your online habits and steals your sensitive information.

Distribution methods: Bundles of free software packages, malicious ads or popup messages, suspicious hyperlinks

Motives of attackers: Aims to collect your personal or sensitive details and shares it to illegal ones.

Malware removal method: To remove OptimalRecord Ads or similar malware, you can scan your computer with strong antivirus software.

Distribution techniques:

In most of the cases, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) of OptimalRecord Ads adware-type are downloaded/installed via setups of other software as additional offers. This false marketing mechanism of packing regular software with unwanted applications as addition is known as “Software bundling method”. You can’t stop these malicious applications from installing if you use always quick/recommended settings for installation of freeware or any other applications because with these settings, the complete software package along with additional programs, tools, extensions, features and so on are installed in your computer. Once PUAs installed, it will start running malicious advertisements campaigns, and modifying certain browser’s settings and System’s settings without your knowledge.

Precautionary measures:

It is strongly recommended to double-research any applications before download/installation and/or purchase. You should always download any applications from official sources/websites or through direct links. Peer-to-peer file sharing networks, unofficial sources, fake software updaters, downloaders and installers should not be used to download any applications or freeware. During software installation, you should check for additional offers in custom/advance/manual settings in setups of software package and remove unnecessary programs/additional programs from the setup. If your System is already infected with this adware-type malware, then you can try to remove OptimalRecord Ads adware and all the related components from machine using strong antivirus software.

Remove Files and Folders Related to OptimalRecord Ads

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