How to stop Safari from opening by itself
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "Safari Keeps Opening By Itself"?
Many users experience a problem relating to the Safari browser whereby it repeatedly reopens. In other cases, it reopens even when users force quit it, or it opens when users have just logged into the Mac. This is a common problem and is usually caused by installed adware-type applications.
These are categorized as potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), which most users install unintentionally. Furthermore, apps of this type usually display intrusive ads and collect browsing-related data.
Overview of software that can cause Safari to open by itself
There are many adware-type apps on the internet, however, most operate in a similar manner. If installed, they usually feed users with coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups (pop-up windows), and other intrusive ads. In this case, they might open browser windows and reopen them even after they are closed.
Clicking these ads can result in opening dubious (potentially malicious) and deceptive web pages. It can also cause download/installation of other PUAs. These ads can be annoying and are usually displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they conceal underlying content of visited websites.
PUAs also collect data such as IP addresses, geo-locations, search queries, URLs of visited websites, and so on. Unfortunately, some also collect personal, sensitive details that are continually shared with third parties (cyber criminals). These people misuse recorded data to generate revenue.
Therefore, having adware-type or other similar PUAs installed can lead to unwanted browser behaviour and various problems relating to browsing safety and privacy. We recommend that you uninstall these apps immediately.
| Name | "Safari reopens after force quit" virus |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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. |
Adware examples
ResponseIntellect, NodeStatisticsProjector, NetworkStructured, and DecipherPerformance are some examples of adware. In most cases, potentially unwanted apps are presented as useful and legitimate, however, developers encourage people to install and use them by promoting various tools, features, and other functionality. Note that few PUAs operate as promoted.
When installed, they deliver no real value and are designed only to generate revenue for the developers (by displaying ads, causing unwanted redirects, and so on).
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Some potentially unwanted applications can be downloaded from promotional/distribution websites, however, research shows that most people download and install them through intrusive ads or when developers use "bundling", a deceptive method used to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs together with other software.
To achieve this, developers hide information regarding these additional apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings or options of the download or installation set-ups. Most users skip software download/installation steps without carefully checking the settings/options - this is how they unintentionally cause unwanted downloads and installations of PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software from official and trustworthy websites and avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, P2P (Peer-to-Peer) networks such as torrent clients and other dubious channels. Furthermore, many third party downloaders are monetized by promoting unwanted applications. Be patient when installing and downloading software.
Study each download/installation step, check all available "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar parts of the set-up. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious websites. Untrustworthy ads often seem legitimate, however, once clicked, they often redirect to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and other similar, dubious web pages.
If you experience ads or redirects to dubious websites, check for any unwanted apps installed. Also check for unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on your default browser and remove/uninstall them. Also check installed programs on your computer (operating system).
Remove unwanted/unknown software. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Safari Keeps Opening By Itself"?
- 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 eliminate the "Safari Keeps Opening By Itself" issue 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware installed onto a system can decrease its performance and diminish the browsing experience (e.g., random redirects, overlaid webpage content, slow browsing speed, etc.). This software usually has data tracking abilities, which makes it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, the websites force-opened by adware and those promoted through the advertisements it displays - can be deceptive/malicious and cause severe problems.
What does adware do?
Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to promote content by placing advertisements on visited websites/ other interfaces and/or by force-opening webpages.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers profit mainly through affiliate programs by endorsing websites, software, products, services, and similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate the adware-type applications detected. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) - might not be ideal. In some cases, even after the software itself is (manually) removed - various file leftovers remain in the system. What is more, such components can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to remove adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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