Mac Adware Cleaner (Easy Removal Guide) - Jan 2021 update

Mac Adware Cleaner Removal Guide

What is Mac Adware Cleaner?

Mac Adware Cleaner is a questionable system optimizer that should not be installed if the goal is proper security

Mac Adware Cleaner malwareMac Adware Cleaner is a name used to describe bogus security software that displays false scan results for revenue-gaining purposes

Mac Adware Cleaner is a potentially unwanted program[1] that targets Mac users and offers an ambiguous functionality. This cyber threat usually gets into machines with the help of Advanced Mac Cleaner which is often installed via software bundling. Beware that each of these programs is useless and can hardly improve your PC's functionality. In addition, Mac Adware Cleaner can get into the system via “Recommended Download” pop-up that can reappear on Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox or other browsers because of adware hiding inside the system.

SUMMARY
Name Mac Adware Cleaner
Type Potentially Unwanted Program/Adware
Is advertised as Adware/malware/crapware cleaner/system optimizer
Related software Advanced Mac Cleaner
Functionality Imitates a full system check-up, displays fake scan results, and encourages users to buy the licensed version as it is “the only option to fix all issues”
Symptoms Excessive advertisement, unexpected system scans, redirects, promotions of other questionable-looking products, and similar
Distribution The PUP usually comes bundled with free or shared programs, injected into rogue hyperlinks, and it also is promoted on its official website
Prevention Avoid secret infiltration of rogue programs by downloading software only from reputable sources. Also, do not click on unknown adverts or links that occur along the way while browsing the Web
Elimination Download and install FortectIntego to perform a full system check-up and discover all potentially dangerous content. Also, you can follow the manual instructions that are provided for you at the end of this web page

Mac Adware Cleaner is advertised as a helpful tool that can get rid of adware, malware, and other unwanted apps. The truth is, this program is potentially malicious itself and there are numerous AV engines that detect it as malicious. In fact, Chrome engine has even marked the site as dangerous, naming the following:

This site contains harmful programs

Attackers on this site might trick you into installing programs that harm your browsing experience (for example, by changing your homepage or showing extra ads on sites you visit)

The official website consists of a bunch of fake reviews and bogus “approvals” from legitimate security companies and other known names, such as The Washington Post or the iPad-only news app The Daily. It is clear that, by using these names, developers of this treacherous app are only seeking to earn money. Beware that this program can hardly detect malicious entries on your computer and the only way to fix your system is to get rid of Mac Adware Cleaner without wasting your time.

As soon as Mac Adware Cleaner virus enters the targeted Mac, it performs multiple scans automatically. Users might not even understand where are they coming from or what is their purpose. Nevertheless, as soon as the scan is complete, the app typically shocks the user with multiple warnings about malicious threats and other problems detected. To fix these problems, the user should buy a licensed version which costs $49.95.

Mac Adware Cleaner adsMac Adware Cleaner ads promote a bogus software which is supposed to protect Macs from malware, adware, and various viruses.

We understand that software developers cannot give out their products for free. However, this is more of a scam than an actually useful product. The threats found are bogus and do not impact your machine in any way. Therefore, users often look for ways how to delete Mac Adware Cleaner from their device. Nevertheless, it is a correct action and the right step towards a clean and smoothly-running Mac.

To remove Mac Adware Cleaner, we highly recommend using FortectIntego or another reputable anti-spyware program. Make sure you reset your web browsers to eliminate their popups entirely. If you are not an experienced user, jump to the guide below to see how it's done. Additionally, take a look at the end of the article and you will also find manual removal guidelines for your Mac computer and possibly-infected web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Explorer, and Safari.

The problem with this application is not only its phony scan results. It is also considered to be adware which floods machines with unending advertisements, redirects to potentially dangerous sites, and clutters the device with other useless software.

Additionally, PUPs also collect a variety of anonymous information, including:

  • IP address;
  • ISP provider;
  • Links clicked;
  • Search queries;
  • Sites visited;
  • System information, including installed software and its versions;
  • Cookie[2] information, etc.

Thus, Mac Adware Cleaner developers know everything about your browsing habits. What is more, if you purchase the licensed version, you will be prompted to provide personal data,[3] such as name, address, credit card details, etc. This information can be potentially stolen and used by cybercriminals, as it is unclear what security precautions are practiced.

Mac Adware Cleaner PUPMac Adware Cleaner is a bogus security tool that is promoted by various third-party sources throughout the Internet sphere

We guess that you yourself have already generated the thought that Mac Adware Cleaner removal is the best decision to make in this case as all the annoying activities that the program promotes might throw some risks and potential danger on you and your machine. In addition, we suggest you check out a paragraph about potentially unwanted program distribution below to prevent further infiltration of similar applications.

Ways unwanted programs contaminate devices

Just like the vast majority of PUPs, this one was also installed on the device along with other software. Thus, if you have recently introduced a new program or some other files from unknown sources, the unwanted app might have sneaked in as well. We want to point out that it’s important to choose only reliable sources for downloads. Stay away from torrents, P2P networks, insecure sites, and similar questionable sources, and download such content from publisher’s websites.

Additionally, you need to pay attention to the installation procedure itself. Do not rely on Quick or Standard modes and always opt for Custom or Advanced option. The Quick installation settings do not reveal optional third-party apps that might have been attached to the primary program. As a result, they are installed by default.

Security experts[4] also advise users to avoid visiting questionable websites (such as file-sharing, P2P, cracked software sites and other) and install legitimate security software. Besides, keep yourself far away from such and similar notifications trying to interrupt you while browsing on the Internet:

Recommended download
Install Mac Adware Cleaner now to protect your Mac device from malware, adware and other security threats.

Mac Adware Cleaner virusMac Adware Cleaner is a potentially unwanted program that has its own official website

Uninstall Mac Adware Cleaner ads from your machine

You can use reputable antimalware programs to terminate the potentially unwanted program from your computer system. This software operates quickly and will ensure you that all possibly-affected directories in your machine are fully cleaned and optimized. However, there is a manual method also. To remove Mac Adware Cleaner from your Mac, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Utilities folder and launch Activity Monitor.
  2. In the Activity Monitor look for the Advanced Mac Cleaner (or/and Mac Adware Cleaner). Click on it and select Quit Process option.
  3. You will receive a dialog window asking if you want to quit Advanced Mac Cleaner. Click on the Force Quit button.
  4. Click Go button and select Applications.
  5. In the Applications list, look for the Advanced Mac Cleaner. Once you find it, right-click on it and choose Move to Trash. You might be asked to enter a user password, thus enter it.
  6. Launch the Apple menu (Apple icon on the top left corner) and select System Preferences.
  7. In the System Preferences go to Accounts and select Login Items. In the appeared list look for the Advanced Mac Cleaner and click on the “-” button.

When Mac Adware Cleaner removal is completed, you have to make sure that no other suspicious entries have been installed on your web browsers. As we already mentioned, PUPs can install additional components that can be well hidden within your system. Thus, in order to get rid of Mac Adware Cleaner virus completely, you should use trusted anti-malware software that can find all the unwanted components automatically.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Offer
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Intego Happiness
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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Mac Adware Cleaner. Follow these steps

Delete from macOS

Mac Adware Cleaner ads are usually caused by Advanced Mac Cleaner. Thus, you need to uninstall this shady application from the device. Once you do that, reset all web browsers that are installed on your device.

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Follow the instructions below to reset Mozilla Firefox after the Mac Adware Cleaner hijack. It helps to delete all shady entries that might be responsible for delivering ads and causing other problems.

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Google Chrome reset is necessary in order to get rid of misleading applications and return your computer system to full optimization and work quality. Follow the steps below.

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Once you reset Safari, ads by Mac Adware Cleaner will disappear from your browser. The guidelines below will help you to do that.

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Mac Adware Cleaner registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting adware

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet. 

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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References
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