MacShiny Unwanted Application (Mac)

What is MacShiny?

Developers present MacShiny as a high quality system optimization tools that helps to remove junk files and optimizes settings to improve system performance. Judging on appearance alone, MacShiny may seem legitimate, however, this tool can infiltrate systems without users' consent. Therefore, MacShiny is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Research shows that MacShiny is likely to infiltrate systems without users' permission. Typically, these potentially unwanted applications are distributed using fake error messages and the "bundling" method. Most are deceptive. They feed users with misleading system scan results and encourage them to purchase 'advanced' software versions to remove the issues.

It is currently not confirmed whether MacShiny is deceptive or malicious, but apps that infiltrate systems without consent often deliver no real value for regular users. Therefore, we strongly advise you to think twice before using this application and especially paying for activation.

In addition, "bundling" is often used to proliferate several rogue applications (usually adware and browser hijackers) at once. If MacShiny has infiltrated your computer without permission, you should eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	MacShiny potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:MacShiny-B [Trj]), BitDefender (Application.MAC.MacShiny.CV), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/UwS.MacShiny.A), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:Downloader.OSX.MacShiny.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are hundreds of potentially unwanted applications, most of which are virtually identical.

By offering 'useful features', these apps attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than providing the functionality promised, they deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and gather sensitive information, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and computer safety.

Potentially unwanted applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers and most are useless.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

As mentioned above, dubious system optimization/anti-virus suites are often proliferated using fake errors and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Fake error messages claim that the system is damaged (e.g., infected, missing files, and so on) and encourage users to download certain software that will supposedly resolve the issues.

"Bundling", on the other hand, is stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software/apps. Developers hide "bundled" applications within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.

They do not adequately disclose installation of these applications. Furthermore, many users are likely to rush these procedures and skip steps. This behavior leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications - users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, to prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of additionally-included applications.

Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") rogue apps. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Furthermore, bear in mind that no web browser is capable of detecting malware on your computer.

Therefore, if you encounter error messages when browsing the Internet, they are fake and most are delivered by rogue sites. If you experience these messages, close the browser and uninstall all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of MacShiny app (GIF):

Official MacShiny website:

Official MacShiny app installation set-up:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is MacShiny?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove MacShiny unwanted application using Combo Cleaner:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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