How to uninstall the OperativeBitUnit adware?

What is OperativeBitUnit?

OperativeBitUnit is designed to serve advertisements, persuade users into using a fake search engine and collect browsing data (and possibly other information). This application functions as adware, browser hijacker, and a data collector.

As a rule, apps like OperativeBitUnit get downloaded and installed by users without their knowledge. For this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Usually, PUAs are distributed using questionable, deceptive methods. Research shows that to trick users into installing OperativeBitUnit, its developers use a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

When installed, apps like OperativeBitUnit display banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads, or other ads. It is very common that ads generated by adware are used to promote untrustworthy websites, distribute unwanted apps: if clicked, they open pages designed to trick users into providing personal information, downloading unwanted apps, or run scripts designed to download and sometimes even install PUAs.

They can open pages like "Your MAC Has Been Blocked Due To Suspicious Activity!", "Error Code: #2c522hq8wwj791", and other deceptive, potentially malicious sites. For these reasons, it is highly advisable not to trust ads that apps like OperativeBitUnit display.

Furthermore, OperativeBitUnit is designed to force users to use a fake search engine - it changes the browser's settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Usually, fake search engines show results generated by Yahoo, Google, Bing, or another legitimate search engine or generate their own results that may include untrustworthy websites.

As a rule, all the changes that a browser hijacker has made cannot be undone unless that app is no longer installed on a browser or the operating system. As mentioned in the first paragraph, OperativeBitUnit functions as a data collector.

It is common that apps of this type gather data that could be used for marketing purposes, sold to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), to steal identities, accounts, make unauthorized transactions, purchases, etc. For example, they collect IP addresses, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, geolocations, credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers, and other information.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to have apps like OperativeBitUnit installed on browsers or computers.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OperativeBitUnit
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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.

In conclusion, OperativeBitUnit serves annoying advertisements, forces users to visit questionable addresses/use a fake search engine and collects various information. It is never safe to download and install apps like OperativeBitUnit, even if they are advertised as legitimate apps that are supposed to improve browsing experience or be useful in some another way.

There are many examples of apps like OperativeBitUnit, some of them are SearchWebAid, PublicToolboxLookup, and SearchForWords. As mentioned in the introduction paragraph, most of these apps are distributed using deceptive methods.

How did OperativeBitUnit install on my computer?

OperativeBitUnit's installer is designed to look like the installer for Adobe Flash Player. In other words, this PUA is distributed via a fake installer that does not have anything to do with the official installer. Quite often, fake, third-party installers are used to trick users into infecting their computers with malware (e.g., ransomware, trojan-type malware). Furthermore, users often unknowingly download or install apps like OperativeBitUnits together with other programs. In such cases, PUAs are included in downloaders or installers for other programs as additional offers. It is common that users do not decline unwanted offers only because they do not know about them. In most cases, bundled PUAs can be opted out by unticking ticked checkboxes or changing "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings. In some cases, users download or install PUAs by clicking advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advisable to check downloaders and installers for "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings (or ticked checkboxes) before finishing downloads and installations. It is common that downloaders, installers that have those settings, are used to distribute potentially unwanted applications.

Applications, files downloaded via third-party downloaders, unofficial sites, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, etc., or installed via third-party installers should not be trusted - they can be malicious. Apps and files should be downloaded from official pages and via direct download links.

Advertisements that appear while visiting questionable pages (e.g., on pages related to gambling, adult dating) should not be trusted as well. Quite often, those ads are designed to promote untrustworthy websites or cause unexpected downloads or installations.

Any unwanted, unknown, or suspicious extensions, add-ons, or plug-ins installed on a browser should be removed. Programs of this kind installed on the operating should be uninstalled too.

If your computer is already infected with OperativeBitUnit, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to the OperativeBitUnit adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.OperativeBitUnit/OperativeBitUnit
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.OperativeBitUnitDaemon/OperativeBitUnit
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.OperativeBitUnit.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.OperativeBitUnitDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the OperativeBitUnit adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles"

2) Select the "OperativeBitUnit" profile and delete it.

3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware/browser hijacker.

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

Video showing how to remove OperativeBitUnit adware using Combo Cleaner:

OperativeBitUnit adware removal:

Remove OperativeBitUnit-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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