Remove MicroLauncher Hijacker From Mac

MicroLauncher: Simple Delete Process

MicroLauncher is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that includes traits of both adware as well as a browser hijacker. It mainly targets Mac computer systems and changes the browser’s settings as soon as gets installed onto the targeted PCs. This nasty hijacker sets its own perilous URL as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab addresses without even asking for any consent and acquires full control over the entire browser. It aims to promote third-party products, services and websites and make quick online revenues for the developers. To accomplish its purpose, this nasty PUP performs a series of malevolent acts in the background of the infected devices.

MicroLauncher Displays Intrusive Ads:

MicroLauncher shows thousands of annoying advertisements on each web page users’ visit and interrupts their online sessions badly. These ads come in several forms e.g., pop-ups, offers, coupons, banners, deals, discounts, etc. They are based on pay-per-click scheme and earn revenues for the developers when clicked. Clicking on these adverts though can be very risky as they often redirect to deceptive websites which may contain malware, tech support scams, push notification viruses, PUPs, and other spiteful contents. Visiting on such perilous domains may result in system infections, sensitive data disclosure, and other unkind dilemmas.

MicroLauncher ads may also trigger download and installation of malevolent software by executing certain scripts. So, it is highly recommended to stay away from these adverts no matter how attractive or useful they look at the first glance. This nasty PUP promotes fake search provider that is not even capable of delivering results, so it reroutes to Yahoo, Google, or other genuine engines. However, the results provided by it are still not relevant as they are filled with ads and affiliated links.

MicroLauncher plants various tracking cookies on the affected browsers and constantly monitors users’ activities whatever they do online. It gathers various browsing-related data such as pages viewed, links clicked, search queries typed, IP addresses, geolocations, and even personal information like saved passwords, credit card details, etc. Afterwards, the collected data is sold to third-parties who then utilize them for generating personalized advertisements, making fraudulent transactions, online purchases, and so forth. And hence, presence of this nasty hijacker in your Mac may lead to severe privacy issues, identity theft, and significant financial losses. So, a quick MicroLauncher removal is highly required.

Penetration Of MicroLauncher:

Potentially unwanted programs may travel bundled with another freeware, such as download manager or media player. If you have already installed this adware and now experience frequent redirects to questionable portals, we assume that you are one of those users who tend to accelerate the installation of freewares and keep clicking the ‘next’ button without reading anything. It usually occurs when people download a freeware from third-party site and then install it using the Quick or Recommended mode set.

To avoid such situation in the future, you should start paying attention to the installation process. It’s recommended to read EULA, Privacy Policy, and other accessible information at first. After that, you should opt for Advanced or Custom installation option and cautiously check what is given on every check box. Specifically look for suspicious plug-ins, add-ons, toolbars or extensions marked by default and make sure that you deselect all of them. If your Mac is already infected with this hijacker, you must remove MicroLauncher from the PC as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to MicroLauncher

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