How to eliminate OptimizationLaunch adware from your operating system?

What is OptimizationLaunch?

OptimizationLaunch is a piece of rogue software classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker traits. Since most users unintentionally download/install apps of this type, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

OptimizationLaunch adware in detail

Adware displays various pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, full-page, and other intrusive ads. They can be placed on any visited website and/or different interfaces. Intrusive advertisements seriously diminishing the browsing experience and endanger device/user safety. Once clicked on, the adverts redirect to unreliable/malicious sites, and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine addresses. Therefore, every single new browser tab/window opened and web searches done via the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing, and other legitimate ones. Browser hijackers can also undo any changes users try to make to their browsers, and/or deny access to the browser settings.

Furthermore, PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) typically have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted applications on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OptimizationLaunch
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.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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

GeneralAnalog, SampleCheck, and ArchivesTransation are a couple examples of adware. It appears legitimate and promises "handy" features, which are seldom operational.

This applies to nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of these apps is to generate revenue for the developers; hence, instead of delivering on any promises, they can run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, and gather private data.

How did OptimizationLaunch install on my computer?

PUAs are spread by using the "bundling" technique - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious supplements. Hence, by rushing through downloads/installations, users risk allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the advertisements can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Select PUAs may also have "official" download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software and always download it from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, unofficial and freeware sites, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled content.

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

Should users experience such ads and/or redirects, they must check their devices and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OptimizationLaunch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove OptimizationLaunch adware using Combo Cleaner:

OptimizationLaunch adware removal:

Remove OptimizationLaunch-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, as well as pose a threat to user privacy (as this software usually has data tracking abilities). Furthermore, adware-delivered advertisements pose a wide variety of threats due to commonly promoting untrustworthy and malicious sites and apps.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns; in other words, this software feeds users various ads.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue through affiliate programs by endorsing websites, applications, products, and services. The developers of this software can get commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove OptimizationLaunch adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating installed adware-type apps. However, manual removal may not be a perfect solution in all instances of adware infiltrations. Since even if the software itself is deleted, various file remnants can stay hidden within the system. What is more, the leftover files can continue running and causing issues.

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