Remove Mac Cleanup Pro (Removal Guide)

Mac Cleanup Pro is a fake Mac optimizer that spreads with the help of the fake Adobe Flash Player

Mac Cleanup Pro is a potentially unwanted application (PUP) that looks legitimate and handy while gathering various sensitive information about its user. Just like Advanced Mac Cleaner, Mac Auto Fixer, and similar viruses, this tool appears to be a good Mac OS optimizing program. However, the program has been using deceptive techniques to spread around and then delivering deceptive advertisements to convince its victims that they have numerous issues on their computers. At the moment, the virus is spreading as a Flash Player update by using such and similar notifications: Flash Player Update!, Adobe Flash Player is out of date, and similar. Beware that these ads are fake and you should take care of Mac Cleanup Pro removal. The virus is also associated with adware^[1] trying to infect the system with a totally useless app. To sum up, you should never invest in such tools if you don't want to lose your money.

Name	Mac Cleanup Pro
Type	Potentially unwanted application
Symptoms	Delivers questionable scan results; promotes its full version; redirects to Bing
Affects	MacOS
Distribution	Software bundling, deceptive ads offering the fake Adobe Flash Player and similar software/updates
Elimination	To get rid of Mac Cleanup Pro, follow the instructions below. Use Fortect Intego for fixing virus damage

While the term “Mac Cleanup Pro virus” is not entirely accurate, users have been actively using it to describe their struggle with this program. The biggest concern is its intrusive behavior that has been frustrating people for several months now. After infiltrating its target computers with the help of bundling, the PUP has also been causing havoc on the system and also failing to leave the system when being asked.

The main activity of Mac Cleanup Pro relies on fake system scanners that are displayed each time the system is rebooted. Additionally, the app starts reporting numerous issues and offers to purchase its license to fix all of them. All these scanners can significantly diminish the time you spend on your device and make your computer or browser run slow.

You may also notice that your Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers have started displaying numerous ads while browsing the Internet. This promotional content is used to promote either this tool or similar applications that are supposed to:

fix errors;
improve computer's speed;
disable ads on your computer;
remove malware;
make your PC run faster.

However, this list is used just to trick you into installing even more PUPs on your computer. Additionally, these programs can not only start interrupting you with their fake ads but can also trick you into purchasing their useless full versions.

Another big problem with programs like Mac Cleanup Pro and other suspicious tools is the relation with advertisers and sponsors. This association leads to data gathering and sharing the accumulated information with third-party companies. Your IP address, location, browsing history, most viewed sites, and other online preferences can be tracked. Later on, this information can be used to generate more commercial^[2] content on your screen.

There are tons of similar programs that look legitimate and useful but provide no real value. Unfortunately, they can also affect the performance of your device, its speed, and even security. You need to remove Mac Cleanup Pro as soon as you notice any of these signs showing that you are affected by the PUP:

constant redirects to commercial sites;
pop-up ads delivered to your screen;
promotional content;
messages about your device being infected;
suggestions purchasing a license key of Mac Cleanup Pro.

Mac Cleanup Pro removal can be performed by using your antivirus tool or manual removal method which is described below. Later on, use programs like Fortect Intego to fix the damage caused by these silent infections. There is a possibility that, during the infiltration, additional threats got on your computer and affected significant parts of the system. If your Safari or other web browser keeps redirecting you to Bing, reset the affected browser

To uninstall Mac Cleanup Pro from the system, use the guide at the end of this post. However, the full system scan is still considered more reliable as the virus has been spreading together with “OperatorMac” and similar components. At the moment of writing, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes is considered the easiest way to get rid of this virus. If you want to use your own tools, rely only on reputable ones to clean your system thoroughly.

Software bundling is a deceptive technique used to distribute PUPs

Various fake error messages promote or distribute rogue system optimization tools as capable to fix virus damage. Unfortunately, these tools cannot fix issues on your computer. Silent intruders that come to the computer without consent and permission give the opposite effect.

According to researchers^[3], the most common method used to spread this fake Mac optimization program is fake ads offering Abobe Flash Player, Mojave, and similar updates.^[4]. We can assure you that Apple has nothing in common with this virus. That's why it has always been recommended using official sources while looking for updates.

Additionally, this tool can come into the system together with other freeware bundles distributed during insecure installations. If you opt for Default or Quick method you may get additional tools and programs installed on the system. This is the silent method that affects the performance of your computer.

Choosing Advanced or Custom options everytime you install any program can beneficial because you can de-select unwanted applications and install the tools you need only. Also, getting your software and updates from reputable sources helps in avoiding these silent cyber infections.

Mac Cleanup Pro removal should be followed by a full system scan

You need to remove Mac Cleanup Pro from the system as soon as possible and since this is an aggressive program which can install other tools, lead its victims to financial damage and lead to other issues. It roots deep inside the system, so make sure you don't waste your time with this threat.

Having in mind that the PUP has been using different techniques to prevent its removal, you should use automatic anti-spyware software. Such programs will not only help you get rid of this virus but will also improve the performance of your device by eliminating browser helper objects and similar malware-related components.

Mac Cleanup Pro removal can also be performed manually. To uninstall the virus and fix issues related to it, carefully follow the guide given below. However, a thorough system scan is also recommended as a way to terminate this PUP completely.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
Pick Manage Add-ons.
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:

Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
Select Internet Options.
In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:

Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
Under Browsing history, click Delete...
Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:

Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
Select Reset.
In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

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

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
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:

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

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Mac Cleanup Pro

Mac Cleanup Pro is a fake Mac optimizer that spreads with the help of the fake Adobe Flash Player

Software bundling is a deceptive technique used to distribute PUPs