How To Remove OptimalUnit Ads From Mac OS

Tips To Delete OptimalUnit Ads

If you keep seeing OptimalUnit Ads while surfing the web, then you need to be very careful because an adware has managed to enter your PC without your knowledge. OptimalUnit is a potentially unwanted program which is used to generate traffic to pre-defined websites. Once this nasty PUP successfully gets into the Mac computers, it displays people intrusive ads when they are online and interrupts their work badly. It also includes traits of a browser hijacker and makes changes to default browser’s settings to promote deceptive search engine which only produces inorganic results mixed with commercial contents and sponsored links.

More About OptimalUnit Ads:

OptimalUnit Ads are in various forms such as banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys etc. These ads are based on pay-per-click scheme and when clicked, earn profits for the developers. They are designed to promote dubious sites and can also execute certain scripts and download or install some unwanted threats. When this adware infiltrates your PC system, it may take over all the most popular internet browsers including Chrome, Explorer, Firefox etc. and may start tracking your browsing activities. It may collect the following information:

• most frequently visited websites,
• browsing habits search terms,
• PC’s IP address,
• data entered in them,
• time spent in them,
• email address, etc.

OptimalUnit Ads virus promises a lot of useful features but in reality, can do nothing but slowing down the performance of the infected systems and ruin the victims’ browsing experience. Data gathered by this PUP are utilized for the advertisement campaign. They can generate more personalized ads that can make users eager to click on them which bring revenues for the creators. Also your personal and confidential information relating to credit card and banking details could be also stolen and misused for fraudulent transactions of purchases.

OptimalUnit Ads often include malicious links and redirect users to scam, phishing or even malware-laden sites that host ransomware, trojan, and other cyber threats. At some domains, visitors are presented with fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and then tricked into installing rogue software. This notorious adware can be responsible for several other hazardous issues such as frequent system crash, hard drive failure, boot errors, application malfunctioning, data loss and so on. And therefore, a quick OptimalUnit Ads virus removal is strongly required.

How Does This PUP Enter Your System?

This perilous adware also spreads in the same way like other unwanted programs. It means that you may start noticing signs of its presence on your Mac system right after installing another freeware. In simple words, it is distributed bundled with free apps such as media players, download managers, games and so on. When you download a free program from third-party sites and then install it using the pre-set options, there is more likely that you are going to install unwanted threats as well along with the main software.

Therefore, if you want to prevent PUPs’ infiltration, you have to be very careful when downloading and installing free software on your computer. You should check whether your selected freeware is dependable by reading EULA, Privacy Policy, users’ reports, and similar information.

Besides, it’s very important to opt for the Advanced or Custom installation option (in contrast to Quick or Basic) and double-check every check box. Finally, you have to find and unmark ticks claiming that you agree to install a browser plug-in, toolbars, add-on, or extension. Otherwise, you may end up with a PUP on your device and you may further experience various inconveniences. But at the moment, you must remove OptimalUnit Ads virus from the system without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to OptimalUnit 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 OptimalUnit 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 OptimalUnit 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 OptimalUnit Ads. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.