How to uninstall OptimalOrigin adware from the operating system?

What is OptimalOrigin?

OptimalOrigin is an adware-type app with browser hijacker qualities. Additionally, due to the dubious techniques used to distribute software products within these classifications, they are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

OptimalOrigin adware in detail

Adware delivers various pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and other intrusive advertisements. They severely diminish the browsing experience and pose a threat to device/user safety. Intrusive ads endorse sale-oriented, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, and malicious websites. Furthermore, once clicked on, some of these adverts can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user consent.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches done via the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing, and other legitimate ones. Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring methods to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

What is more, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. Information of interest includes browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, and so on. The gathered data is monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OptimalOrigin
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.F), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

Adware in general

CommandImprovement, ConnectedPlatform, SuccessAdvanced, FunctionServer, and LookupDisplay are some examples of apps within the adware classification. They appear legitimate and offer "advantageous" functions, which are seldom operational.

In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. Unwanted apps can cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, and collect private data - instead of delivering on any promised features.

How did OptimalOrigin install on my computer?

PUAs are spread using the "bundling" marketing tactic - packing regular software with various additions. Rushed download/installation processes increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs may also have "official" promotional/download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download it only from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all supplements. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate, yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with OptimalOrigin, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once OptimalOrigin adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove OptimalOrigin adware using Combo Cleaner:

OptimalOrigin adware removal:

Remove OptimalOrigin-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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. This software typically has data tracking abilities, which makes it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, the websites and apps promoted through adware-delivered ads can be malicious.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software or adware - operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software displays various ads on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by promoting content (e.g., sites, apps, services, etc.) through the adverts it delivers. The developers of this software can get commission from ad clicks, website visits, product purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove OptimalOrigin adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is important to mention that manual removal is not always the perfect solution. In some cases, even after the software itself is removed - various leftover files remain. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue running and causing issues.

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