Remove PowerMyMac Adware From Mac OS

Simple Steps To Delete PowerMyMac

PowerMyMac is promoted as an application that optimizes and cleans up Mac PC systems. However, it is often spread using fraudulent techniques and hence, people install this app unintentionally and unknowingly. This is the reason it is regarded as a potentially unwanted program (PUA). Using this tool, people can scan their devices for old, large, duplicate files, uninstall unwanted applications, private data, system cache and so on. But, these stuffs can’t be terminated with the nonregistered version of this app. In simple words, you must pay for its activated version in order to use features.

Know More About PowerMyMac:

PUPs like PowerMyMac flood the infected systems’ screen with endless annoying ads and pop-ups all over the day which interrupts users’ online sessions badly. It displays eye-catching deals, offers, banners, discounts, coupons etc. and tries to make people click on them in order to earn revenues via cost-per-click mechanism. These ads though can be very risky for the security of the compromised PCs as they might include vicious links and redirect users to various potentially dangerous sites that are fully occupied with malevolent contents.

PowerMyMac adware is able to track users’ online activities and gather important information regarding their browsing preferences and interests. These details are then utilized for generating and exhibiting attractive-looking adverts in order to get as many hits on them as possible and earn maximum profits. Moreover, your personal and confidential information such as credit card and banking details, user IDs, passwords etc. could be also stolen and misused by the scammers for deceptive purchases, transactions and other malicious purposes. PowerMyMac adware makes changes to registry settings by making spiteful entries in it which allows the PUP to get automatically activated with each system reboot.

 This nasty malware keeps performing malevolent acts in the background all the time which consumes enormous amount of memory resources and slows down the overall PC performance drastically. Due to this, machine begins responding in a very slow manner and takes more than usual time to complete any task. It might also take people to web domains where they are presented with fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and then trapped into installing dubious application. And hence, a quick PowerMyMac removal is highly recommended.

Ways To Spread PowerMyMac:

PUPs like adware are most often distributed as optional download tools along with other regular software when they are added together in a bundle. When you download a freeware from untrustworthy sites like cnet.com, download.com, soft32.com etc. and then install the app using the pre-set options, there is huge chance of getting infected with unwanted threats. The Quick or Recommended configuration settings don’t disclose the additional components which also manage to sneak into the PCs secretly along with the main program.

Tips To Prevent Adware Intrusion:

To avoid unwanted installations, it is very important to not rely on third-party downloaders, installers and Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and choose only official sites, trustworthy channels and direct links to download software. In addition, always select the Advanced or Custom installation settings where you can opt-out all the components that give a concerning look. In case your device is already infected with this PUP, you must remove PowerMyMac from the work-station as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to PowerMyMac

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