Mac Cleanup Pro Unwanted Application (Mac)

What is Mac Cleanup Pro?

Mac Cleanup Pro is a dubious application presented as a high quality system optimization/cleaning tool. This is a new variant of another questionable app called Advanced Mac Cleaner.

Its appearance suggests that Mac Cleanup Pro is legitimate and useful, however, it often infiltrates systems without permission, since developers promote it using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

It is also proliferated using fake error messages delivered by malicious websites. For these reasons, Mac Cleanup Pro is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

After scanning the system, Mac Cleanup Pro delivers a list of files that should be deleted to improve system performance, however, the 'free version' of is supposedly only able to detect files, not remove them. To remove detected files, users must purchase the 'full version'. Note, however, that system cleaners distributed using the "bundling" method are often fake.

They deliver false scan results just to trick users into purchasing so-called full versions (to resolve issues that do not exist). Mac Cleanup Pro might also be one of these rogue apps. Therefore, we recommend that you consider uninstalling this application. Be aware that "bundling" is often used to proliferate several unwanted applications at once.

Therefore, Mac Cleanup Pro may not be the only PUA that has infiltrated your computer. In most cases, "bundling" is used to  distribute adware and browser hijackers. These apps deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and gather sensitive information.

In most cases, users visit fake error-displaying websites inadvertently - they are redirected to them by unwanted applications. Therefore, as well as uninstalling Mac Cleanup Pro, you should remove other dubious applications (especially if you experience the aforementioned ads and redirects).

Threat Summary:

Name	Mac Cleanup Pro potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (mcp_mcpsite.pkg)	Avast (MacOS:AMC-FR [PUP]), BitDefender (Application.MAC.InstallMiez.BRN), ESET-NOD32 (a variant of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.V potentially unwanted), Full List Of Detections (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.

Mac Cleanup Pro is identical to a number of other dubious system optimizers, such as MacOptimizer, Mac Mechanic, etc. In fact, all potentially unwanted applications are very similar. By offering "useful features", apps such as Mac Cleanup Pro attempt to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install.

Few provide features promised. These programs have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, they cause unwanted redirects, gather information, and deliver ads, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

As mentioned above, Mac Cleanup Pro is distributed using the "bundling" method and fake error messages. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.

Developers are not honest enough to adequately disclose installation of unwanted apps and hide them within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.

Fake errors falsely claim that the system is infected to trick users into downloading tools that will 'fix' non-existent errors. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Never believe any website that delivers messages claiming that your computer is infected, or similar. No browser or website is capable of detecting malware and these claims are false.

Furthermore, carefully analyze download/installation steps and opt-out of additionally-included programs. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since most "bundle" rogue apps. Programs should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

PUAs are often distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious websites or execute scripts that download and install software (or even high-risk malware).

Most are delivered by adware-type apps. If you encounter dubious redirects (to pornography, gambling, survey, and other suspicious sites), remove all dubious applications and 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 Mac Cleanup Pro application (GIF):

Screenshot of Mac Cleanup Pro application:

Fake error promoting Mac Cleanup Pro application:

Fake scan displayed by the said error:

Fake Adobe Flash Player installer attempting to trick users into installing Mac Cleanup Pro unwanted application:

Another fake Adobe Flash Player installer used to distribute Mac Cleanup Pro unwanted application:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Mac Cleanup Pro adds itself to the list of applications that automatically run upon each user log in. Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

• Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups. 
• Click your account (also known as Current User).
• Click Login Items.
• Look for "Mac Cleanup Pro" entry.  Select it, and click the "-" button to remove it.

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 Mac Cleanup Pro?
• 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 Mac Cleanup Pro 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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