How to uninstall the Total Mac Fixer PUA

What is "Total Mac Fixer"?

The Total Mac Fixer application is promoted as a tool capable of optimizing system operations by removing unwanted files, managing apps, and improving system start-up speed. Since most users download/install Total Mac Fixer inadvertently, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Apps within this category are typically untrusted and can have dangerous capabilities. For example, causing redirects to dubious/malicious websites, delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browsers and collecting browsing-related information.

Dubious distribution methods can be used for legitimate software, however, they are more commonly employed to proliferate bogus products. PUAs categorized as fake system cleaning/optimizing products typically require activation (i.e. they must be be purchased) to perform the features promised.

Following activation, however, this software tends to remain nonoperational - this is likely to be the case with Total Mac Fixer. Most PUAs have other capabilities. They can force-open untrusted/rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites.

Adware-types can deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive advertisements. When clicked, they redirect to dangerous sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Other PUAs called browser hijackers make modifications to browser settings to promote bogus search engines.

With this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines are usually unable to provide search results, and so they redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive data is often monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of these unwanted apps on devices can lead to financial loss, system infections, serious privacy issues and identity theft. To ensure device/user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Total Mac Fixer potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application), Mac malware, Mac virus.
Supposed Functionality	Operating system cleaning and performance optimization.
Symptoms	A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors.
Distribution Methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
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.

Quick Mac Booster, MacRepair, and Total Mac Care are some examples of other unwanted apps similar to Total Mac Fixer. Despite appearing legitimate and useful, they rarely work as promised.

The only purpose of PUAs is to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, these rogue applications run intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrusted and malicious web pages, hijack browsers and gather private data.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some PUAs (including Total Mac Fixer) have "official" promotional pages from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased. These apps can also be downloaded/installed with other software. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions.

Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive ads can infiltrate these applications into systems as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrusted download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and third party updaters can offer deceptive and bundled content.

Download and installation processes must be treated with caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, however, they often redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

If you encounter advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/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 the Total Mac Fixer application (GIF):

Total Mac Fixer installation setup:

Website promoting Total Mac Fixer application:

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 "Total Mac Fixer"?
• 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 Total Mac Fixer unwanted application 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.

▼ Show Discussion