Remove Mac Optimizer from Mac computer

Easy steps to delete Mac Optimizer

Mac Optimizer is dubious webpage or application that is specifically designed to enable Mac computers to perform faster, smoother and without errors. This application intrudes into PC without having user’s approval. At the first appearance, this tool seem legit and useful but after testing by the security expert it is identified as potentially unwanted program or adware. It is crafted by team of cyber crooks for evil use and wrong motives.

Like most other software of this type, this app allows users to run free scan in order to detect and delete issues. Thus, to remove it users are asked to activate the app by purchasing the full version. In fact, this type of apps only provides user false results and do not solve any genuine problems. Typically, this type of scam is designed to trick people into downloading and installing other unwanted applications.

So, you just ignore such messages and don’t pay any money for the activation of this software. Due to its improper behavior, this and most apps of this type are categorized as PUAs. Furthermore, it has also been noticed that this type of PUA install setups of other software such as adware, browser hijackers and so on. You may know that browser hijacker apps change the browser settings in order to promote dubious search engines.

Moreover, adware type apps feed users with intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, these ads open dubious websites and even run malicious scripts that download or install possibly malicious apps. Therefore, presence of PUAs on computer might cause redirection issues, browsing safety and even identity theft. So, in such case, you are advised to uninstall PUAs immediately from the system or browsers.

Intrusion tactics of Mac Optimizer:

PUAs like Mac Optimizer mostly invade into your system via software bundling. In this method, this party apps installation occurs with regular software download. Developers behind this include unwanted apps in setups and hide information related to it behind custom or advance options as well as other similar settings of installation processes. Thus, users download and install programs without making changes to the available settings and they provide permission to various potentially unwanted applications to be get downloaded by default. On the other hand, PUAs get download and install when users click on deceptive ads that are capable of executing scripts.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

In order to prevent installation of Mac Optimizer and other harmful threats, users must go through below mentioned steps:

• Download programs and files only from trustworthy and official pages.
• During installation, read the installation guide carefully till the end.
• Don’t skip custom or advance options as well as other similar settings.
• Avoid clicking on malicious and suspicious links as well as visiting commercial websites.
• Avoid using unreliable software downloading channels as they can offer deceptive or bundled content.

Remove Mac Optimizer

Below, step by step malware removal guides are provided for you so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. Two methods namely manual and automatic are possible for malware removal. You will find the instructions for using the both in this article. Researchers recommend using the automatic mode since it consumes less time and requires lesser efforts to completely perform entire removal process.

Quick Glance

Name: Mac Optimizer

Type: PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application), Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: The program aims to pose as a software optimizer, but instead may display different types of advertisements and run fake scans on the computers of victims.

Symptoms: Your Mac Book may slow down and you may experience different types of advertisements on your computer..

Distribution methods: Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.

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

Removal: Use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that can completely remove Mac Optimizer from the Mac system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Mac Optimizer

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