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Auto Mac Booster Unwanted Application (Mac)

Also Known As: Auto Mac Booster potentially unwanted application
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is Auto Mac Booster?

Identical to Auto Mac Speedup, Speedup Mac Pro, Advanced Mac Booster, and many others, Auto Mac Booster is a deceptive application that, according to the developers, allows users to enhance computer performance by removing rogue applications, cleaning the cache, and so on.

Initially, Auto Mac Booster may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote this app using the "bundling" method. Therefore, Auto Mac Booster often infiltrates systems without permission and is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Auto Mac Booster download website

Auto Mac Booster allows users to scan their systems, check for applications that pose a threat, and to detect other errors that must be fixed. The free version of Auto Mac Booster is not capable of removing or fixing anything. To use these features, users are encouraged to pay for the 'full version' of this application.

Note, however, that system optimization tools distributed using the "bundling" method often feed users with false scan results. This is done to scare and trick users into purchasing the so-called full versions. Once activated, these paid apps provide no real value for regular users. They simply clean the false list and nothing more.

Therefore, uninstall this application and certainly do not pay for any software. "Bundling" is often used to proliferate several unwanted applications at once.

In most cases, proliferated apps are categorized as adware or browser hijackers. They deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and gather information. Therefore, as well as uninstalling Auto Mac Booster, you should eliminate other dubious applications/browser plug-ins as well.

Threat Summary:
Name Auto Mac Booster potentially unwanted application
Threat Type Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.12893), DrWeb (Program.Mac.Unwanted.AMC.328), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Generic.12893 (B)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.V Potentially Unwanted), 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.

The internet is full of potentially unwanted applications. Most offer "useful features", however, few PUAs provide any real value. They typically have just one purpose: to help developers generate as much revenue as possible. Most cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, gather information, and promote in-app purchases.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Auto Mac Booster has an official download website, however, as mentioned above, it is also proliferated using the "bundling" method. Therefore. this app often infiltrates systems without permission. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software.

Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, "bundled" apps such as Auto Mac Booster are hidden within various sections (e.g., "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download or installation processes.

By rushing and skipping steps, many users expose their systems to risk of various infections and put their privacy at risk. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted apps.

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, pay attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.

Opt-out of additionally-included applications and decline offers to download/install them. You are advised to download apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue applications, and thus these tools should never be used.

Unwanted apps are often distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts designed to download/install malware. Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, however, once clicked, redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

In most cases, they are delivered by adware-type apps. If you encounter redirects to Auto Mac Booster, immediately remove all suspicious 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.

Screenshot of Auto Mac Booster unwanted application:

Potentially unwanted application Auto Mac Booster

Appearance of Auto Mac Booster unwanted application (GIF):

Appearance of Auto Mac Booster scam (GIF)

Official Auto Mac Booster installation setup:

Auto Mac Booster installer setup

IMPORTANT NOTE! Auto Mac Booster 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 "Auto Mac Booster" entry.  Select it, and click the "-" button to remove it.

Auto Mac Booster PUA system preferences

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:

Video showing how to remove Auto Mac Booster unwanted application using Combo Cleaner:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

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

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

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

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Auto Mac Booster potentially unwanted application QR code
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