How to uninstall Shoptimizely adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Shoptimizely?
Shoptimizely is advertised supposedly improving the online shopping experience. In fact, this app is classified as adware - it serves various advertisements. Commonly, Shoptimizely and similar apps collect data. People often download and install adware inadvertently and, therefore, apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Research shows that Shoptimizely is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.
Typically, apps such as Shoptimizely display coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other intrusive advertisements. These open dubious websites or even execute scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted software. Do not click ads that appear due to installed adware (in this case, Shoptimizely).
Adware-type software can also record information relating to users' browsing activities, and other data. For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, etc. Also, private sensitive information.
Furthermore, the data might be misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways.
Therefore, users who have apps such as Shoptimizely installed on their browsers/computers might become victims of identity theft, experience issues relating to online privacy and browsing safety, and other problems. Never trust Shoptimizely or other apps of this type.
| Name | Ads by Shoptimizely |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names (Deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer) | Avast (MacOS:Agent-FJ [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EGJ), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EGJ (B)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.ah), Full List (VirusTotal). |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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. |
Shoptimizely is virtually identical to many other apps of this type including, for example, MyCouponsmart, CompariShop and MyShopcoupon. All supposedly improve the online shopping experience, however, they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers by feeding users with ads. PUAs are useless and can be the reason behind serious issues.
How did Shoptimizely install on my computer?
Shoptimizely is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player, which installs Shoptimizely rather than the Adobe Flash Player. Like many other apps of this type, it might also be distributed through the set-ups of other programs. Commonly, developers include potentially unwanted apps into set-ups as 'additional offers', and related information is not properly disclosed.
The details are usually listed in settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and "Manual".
When people download and install their programs without changing these settings, they often allow for included apps to be downloaded and installed as well. This distribution method is called "bundling". In some cases, users download and install PUAs by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
It is not safe to download or install programs/files through third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients), from untrusted websites, or other channels of this kind. Using them, people often download and install unwanted apps inadvertently.
Sometimes even malicious apps. Therefore, all files and programs should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct links. Check all download and installation set-ups that contain settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" and decline offers to download or install PUAs before completing the process.
Do not click advertisements that are displayed on dubious web pages, since these can open other untrusted websites or cause download/installation of PUAs. Remove any extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser immediately. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with Shoptimizely, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer promoting Shoptimizely adware:
Another screenshot of deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer promoting Shoptimizely adware:
Screenshot of Shoptimizely extension (If the "Your browser is managed by your organisation" feature is enabled on the browser [as in a screenshot below] and it appeared after installation of Shoptimizely, it can be removed by following the steps described in this article):
Screenshot of Shoptimizely adware extension in Safari web browser:
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 Shoptimizely?
- STEP 1. Remove Shoptimizely related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove Shoptimizely ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove Shoptimizely adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Shoptimizely ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove Shoptimizely adware using Combo Cleaner:
Shoptimizely adware removal:
Remove Shoptimizely-related 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.
Outstanding!
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