How to uninstall CommonOptimization adware

What is CommonOptimization?

CommonOptimization is a rogue application classified as adware, which also has browser hijacker traits. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines. On Safari browsers, this app promotes 0yrvtrh.com and on Google Chrome, search.adjustablesample.com.

Additionally, CommonOptimization has data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious techniques used to spread CommonOptimization, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers various pop-ups, banners, coupons, full-page and other intrusive advertisements. These ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and limit browsing speed. Furthermore, when clicked, they can redirect to untrusted/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. To elaborate on how these alterations affect browsing, with a browser hijacker installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the address of the promoted search engine.

In the case of CommonOptimization, in Safari browsers, it redirects to 0yrvtrh.com, and in Google Chrome, to search.adjustablesample.com. Rogue search engines are typically unable to provide unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo and other genuine sites.

Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, it is impossible to recover a hijacked browser without removing the software affecting it. Most PUAs (adware and hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities.

They can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by CommonOptimization
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Elastic (Malicious (high Confidence)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), Full List (VirusTotal).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
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. ▼ 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.

GlobalEngineSearch, ExtendedWindow and PracticalProcesser are some examples of other adware-type applications. They may seem normal, and often lure users into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features seldom work.

In fact, this is true of most PUAs and is not exclusive to adware. The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, make modifications to browsers, cause redirects and/or collect private information.

How did CommonOptimization install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

Rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these apps as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts 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, since untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders commonly offer bundled content.

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

If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect your devices and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with CommonOptimization, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once CommonOptimization adware installation is complete:

CommonOptimization installed onto the Safari browser:

Appearance of CommonOptimization promoting 0yrvtrh.com on Safari browsers (GIF):

Appearance of CommonOptimization promoting search.adjustablesample.com on Google Chrome browsers (GIF):

CommonOptimization adware installation folder:

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 CommonOptimization?
• STEP 1. Remove CommonOptimization related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove CommonOptimization ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove CommonOptimization adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove CommonOptimization ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove CommonOptimization adware using Combo Cleaner:

CommonOptimization adware removal:

Remove CommonOptimization-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.

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