Why MacEnizer should not be trusted

What is MacEnizer?

MacEnizer is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), since developers promote it using dubious, deceptive methods. Most people download and install PUAs unintentionally, however, MacEnizer is advertised as a system optimizer, a tool that supposedly cleans and maintains Mac computers.

MacEnizer includes features that supposedly allow users to manage cache, trash, logs, startup items, uninstall apps, clean memory, history, etc., however, these functions cannot be performed with the free/trial version. To use all MacEnizer features, people must purchase/activate it.

Despite these demands, do not pay for apps that are classified as PUAs. They often provide false results to trick people into believing that their computers can run faster, and without errors if the 'full version' of this app is purchased. It is not known for certain whether MacEnizer is one of these rogue applications, however, there is a strong possibility.

Furthermore, PUAs are often distributed with other unwanted apps such as browser hijackers, adware, and so on. Apps that hijack browsers usually change browser settings to promote a dubious web address (often a fake search engine) and gather information relating to browsing habits.

Examples of data collected by PUAs include users' IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of opened websites, and geolocations. Some are also designed to record personal details. Developers of PUAs share the data with other parties who misuse it to generate revenue.

Some these third parties might include cyber criminals. Adware is a type of software that, once installed, starts to feed users with unwanted, intrusive ads.

If clicked, these open dubious or even malicious web pages or start the download/installation processes of various unwanted apps. If there are any apps of this type installed on your browser or operating system, remove them immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	MacEnizer potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Supposed Functionality	This app supposedly optimizes MacOS systems.
Detection Names	Avira (PUA/OSX.Macenizer.V), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/MacEnizer.A Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (Misleading:Win32/Lodi), Symantec (OSX.Trojan.Gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. The new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about found issues. Asks for payment to eliminate supposedly detected errors.
Distribution Methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Related Domains	macenizers[.]com
Damage	Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance.
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.

MacEnizer is not the only app categorized as PUA. Other examples are Mac Clean Pro, Mac Fixer Pro, and Advanced Mac Booster. 

Typically, developers advertise them as legitimate, useful programs that supposedly fix errors, uninstall unwanted software, clean computers, and so on. In many cases, however, these apps do not function as promised and are redundant. Most are not free and people are often tricked into purchasing them.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

MacEnizer can be downloaded from its download website, however, most people download and install PUAs unintentionally. To trick people into these unwanted downloads/installations, developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They include PUAs into the set-ups of other programs and hide related information in "Advanced", "Custom", and other settings.

Furthermore, many people leave these settings unchecked and unchanged, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed with other regular software. In some cases, unintentional downloads/installations are caused through deceptive ads. If clicked, these can run scripts that download and install unwanted, potentially malicious apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

To avoid unwanted installations/downloads, check all settings available in the set-ups of software, especially if the software is free. Dismiss offers to download/install additional apps before completing the download/installation process.

Avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and other such tools. The best way to download programs and files is to use official websites and direct links. Do not trust intrusive ads, especially those displayed on dubious web pages.

Once clicked, they can redirect users to untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. If your browser causes redirects to dubious pages or shows ads, remove all unknown/suspicious extensions, plug-ins, or add-ons from your browser, and programs from the operating system.

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 MacEnizer performing a system scan (GIF):

Website promoting this unwanted application application:

Installer of this application:

IMPORTANT NOTE! MacEnizer 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 the "MacEnizer" 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 MacEnizer?
• 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 adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

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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