Remove RunningOptimizer from Mac computer

Easy steps to delete RunningOptimizer

RunningOptimizer is described as malicious application that performs as both adware and browser hijackers. This app serves such functionalities because it feed users with various intrusive advertisements campaigns and change browser settings to promote 0yrvtrh.com. Users download and install such apps inadvertently and thus they are considered to be potentially unwanted applications. Apart from this, this app can also access sensitive information from users and browser as well.

Usually, RunningOptimizer are designed to deliver ads and pop-ups into various forms including banners, offers, discounts, deals and so on. Those ads are displayed in order to trick user into clicking on it. By doing so, users get redirected to other questionable or possibly malicious websites. As mentioned in the introduction, such apps also have browser hijacker abilities. Most browser hijackers are designed to change browser settings in order to promote address of fake search engine.

Once done, every time users are insisted to visit the said domain when user search any query via URL bar. Further, it is likely that RunningOptimizer can collect sensitive information from browsers such as telephone number, credit card details, passwords, geo-locations and so on. Usually, all collected details are misused by hackers in order to make online purchases, fraudulent transactions and for other purposes. So, it is important to remove installed adware as quickly as possible from Mac system.

Ways to spread RunningOptimizer:

As you know, PUAs gets downloaded and installed while clicking on deceptive ads unintentionally. Such ads are designed to run malicious scripts. Moreover, unwanted applications also get distributed by using deceptive marketing method called bundling. Usually, offers relating to such apps are found in custom, advanced and other similar settings of software setups. Thus, users leave all aforementioned settings unchanged and unchecked. However, by leave such settings unchanged users allowed bundled apps to be get downloaded and installed along with program that they install intentionally. So, be careful while downloading and installing any software especially freeware.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

To download and install any software, use only official and trustworthy websites. It is advised not to use third party installer, unofficial pages, p2p sharing networks and other dubious channels to download it. Furthermore, it is recommended to always check available settings if there are any offers to download and install additionally included applications than decline them. Moreover, it is not safe to click on ads that are displayed on untrustworthy websites. As they often redirect users to other dubious pages or cause unwanted downloads or installations. To keep computer harmless and secured, you are advised to remove RunningOptimizer easily and effectively from the PC.

Remove RunningOptimizer

If your computer is already infected with RunningOptimizer, then we recommend you to use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to eliminate this adware immediately from the computer. Despite this, some more removal processes have been described below under this article in order to help user to perform virus removal process.

Threat specification

Name: RunningOptimizer

Threat Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements.

Symptoms: Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine.                   

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: To eliminate malware infections, we recommend you to follow given removal instructions which have been described below.

Remove Files and Folders Related to RunningOptimizer

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