Remove OptimalSource Adware From Mac

OptimalSource: Complete Delete Process

OptimalSource is a notorious Mac virus that has qualities of both browser hijackers as well adware. You will notice your browser’s homepage and new tab URL changed to another address when your Mac is infected with this potentially unwanted program (PUP). You are unaware of its installation because it uses illusive methods for propagation, although you could have installed it deliberately without knowing its true motive. These browser-based infections have been spreading around the web for several years now. The sole purpose of their developers is to alter users’ browsing experience in a way that would benefit them.

OptimalSource Changes Browser’s Settings:

As soon as OptimalSource is installed, the web browser settings are modified, and victims are forced to surf through an alternative search engine. In most cases, all the search queries are rerouted to Yahoo, Bing, or nearbyme.io (based on location). Of course, the results are filled with affiliated links and ads that are all placed at the top, making users more likely to click on them. While having this adware inside your Mac, tons of annoying advertisements will keep appearing all the time which overlay the page content and severely diminish the online experience.

OptimalSource ads come in multiple forms such as pop-ups, offers, coupons, deals, banners, surveys, etc. They might look eye-catching at the first glance but actually endanger users/systems safety. They usually promote unreliable, sale-based, rogue, scam, and even malicious websites. As soon as you click on an ad, you might be taken to potentially dangerous site that might include fake software updates, tech support scams, malware, porn, PUPs, and other vicious contents. In addition, some adverts can also trigger download and installation of virulent software by executing certain scripts.

OptimalSource just like many other potentially unwanted programs can track web activities and gather several data including users’ IP addresses, geolocations, search terms, sites visited, links clicked, etc. Later on the collected information is monetized by selling it to interested parties and can be utilized for spiteful purposes. Your browsing preferences are very helpful for the advertisers to customize ads tailored to your interests, that makes you more eager to interact with them. We strongly advise against clicking on random ads while web surfing as you never know what places they might lead you to and what dilemmas you may have to experience consequently. To avoid all these happenings, a quick OptimalSource removal is expressly recommended.

Distribution Of OptimalSource:

The main trait that separates potentially unwanted programs from regular apps is their distribution methods. People generally are tricked into installing them or overlook an additional component within a freeware bundle, typically downloaded from a third-party website. When they choose the Quick or Express installation setting, they allow all the bundled contents to get installed without even realizing. This adware and browser hijackers find their way into the PC systems.

To avoid unintentional installation of software, we recommend visiting official stores and websites and download apps from there. Also, during the installation process, you should always rely on Advanced or Custom settings, which would allow you to get rid of the ticks from pre-selected checkboxes. By doing so, you can avoid potentially unwanted programs from sneaking into your device. If your PC is already infected with this adware, you must remove OptimalSource from the Mac without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to OptimalSource

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