Remove FocusDeploy Adware From Mac

FocusDeploy: Complete Delete Process

FocusDeploy is a malicious software classified as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and includes traits of both adware as well as browser hijacker. It’s called a PUP because of its unfair distribution techniques that includes software bundling and deceptive ads. Once gets into the Mac computers, this notorious infection makes changes to browser’s settings and assigns an address of a fake search engine as default search tool, homepage and new tab preferences. The modifications are made without seeking for any consent so, users generally have no idea what caused these changes.

FocusDeploy Displays Intrusive Advertisements:

While running in the Mac, FocusDeploy displays tons of annoying ads in forms of pop-ups, banners, coupons, deals, offers, surveys, and other commercial contents. These ads are meant to generate the pay-per-click revenue. The more clicks developers of the adware get on these adverts, the more money falls straight to their pocket. However, interacting with these advertisements is not recommended as they are designed to promote untrustworthy, sale-oriented, rogue, scam, deceptive, and even malicious websites. They may lead victims to portals which contain fake software updates, tech support scams, malware, porn, and other harmful material.

Further, some FocusDeploy ads can also trigger download and installation of malicious software by running certain scripts. As stated earlier, the app also operates as a browser hijacker and advertises fake search engines. These fraudulent search tools are not able to provide results, so they usually redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate engines. Still, the results are not organic as they are filled with affiliated links and commercial contents at the top. So, users are more likely to click on them, making profits for the creators in the process.

PUPs like FocusDeploy have data-tracking ability which lets their owners to gather information such as victims search queries, their IP addresses, locations, sites visited, links clicked, and so on. These details are then shared with other interested parties and can be utilized for malicious purposes. Your browsing preferences are very helpful for the advertisers to customize ads tailored to your interests. You would never like to share your credit card details and other private data with anyone as it could be misused for making deceptive purchases, unauthorized purchases and for other illusive motives. Thus, you must perform FocusDeploy removal from the Mac immediately.

Distribution Of FocusDeploy:

Adware, browser hijackers, fake security tools and other unwanted apps are most often spread with the help of free applications promoted on third-party sites. When users download a freeware from free file-hosting page and then install it using the Quick or Recommended configuration wizard, they find that several PUPs have been installed alongside the main software. In addition, ads promoting fake software updates also trick people into installing unwanted programs.

To prevent such situations, you should choose only reliable download sources, official and verified sites for your applications, and rely on freeware sites as less as you can. Pick Advanced or Custom settings instead of the Recommended ones which allow you to opt-out the components from the list that are not required. Also, never trust on advertisements appearing on third-party portals and update software using the tools provided by legitimate developers only. If your Mac is already infected with this adware, you must remove FocusDeploy from the machine as soon as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to FocusDeploy

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