Mac Tweaker Unwanted Application (Mac)

What is Mac Tweaker?

Identical to Malware Crusher, MacOptimizer, and a number of others, Mac Tweaker is a rogue application that supposedly helps users to optimize their computers.

Judging on appearance alone, Mac Tweaker may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Mac Tweaker is likely to infiltrate systems without permission and gives no real value for regular users.

Mac Tweaker provides functionality allowing users to perform a full system scan. They are presented with dozens of potential 'threats and errors' that must be eliminated, however, since the free version of Mac Tweaker is not capable of doing this, users are encouraged to purchase the 'full version'.

The entire list is false - your system is likely to be completely optimized and virus-free. Mac Tweaker's developers attempt to scare and trick users into purchasing the full version and generate revenue by abusing their trust. As mentioned above, Mac Tweaker infiltrates systems without permission.

There is a high probability that it will install together with a number of other potentially unwanted programs.

In most cases, these applications deliver intrusive advertisements (adware), modify web browser settings (browser hijackers), and gather sensitive information (many types). If you have installed Mac Tweaker, immediately remove it along with any other suspicious applications/browser plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	Mac Tweaker potentially unwanted program
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady 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.

There are dozens of potentially unwanted programs, all of which are virtually identical (for example, MacKeeper, Mac Space Reviver, MyShopcoupon, etc.) All offer "useful functionality", however, the only purpose of potentially unwanted programs is to help developers generate revenue.

For this reason, they give no real value for regular users. Potentially unwanted programs deliver intrusive ads, change web browser options, record various information, and, in this case, promote in-app purchases.

How did Mac Tweaker install on my computer?

Potentially unwanted programs such as Mac Tweaker are typically distributed using intrusive advertising and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Some intrusive ads lead to dubious websites and even run scripts that download and install malware. "Bundling" is stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

Developers do not disclose these installations properly - they hide "bundled" apps within various sections (usually "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes.

Many users click advertisements and skip download/installation steps without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as Mac Tweaker. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Select "Advanced/Custom" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. Decline offers to download/install additional applications and opt-out of those already included.

Furthermore, never use third party downloaders/installers, since criminals monetize them by promoting rogue apps (the "bundling" method). Download your applications from official sources only, using direct download links. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, but often lead to gambling, adult dating, survey, and other dubious websites.

As mentioned above, intrusive ads are typically delivered by adware-type PUPs. Therefore, if you encounter them, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

Having a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed on your system is also paramount. If your computer is already infected with PUPs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them

Deceptive application installer promoting Mac Tweaker adware:

Screenshot of Mac Tweaker potentially unwanted program:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Mac Tweaker adds itself to the list of applications that automatically run upon each user log in. Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

• Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups.
• Click your account (also known as Current User).
• Click Login Items.
• Look for the "Mac Tweaker" entry. Select it, and click the "-" button to remove it.

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 Mac Tweaker?
• STEP 1. Remove Mac Tweaker related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove malicious add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove deceptive plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Mac Tweaker PUP removal:

Remove Mac Tweaker and other potentially unwanted applications from the "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “Mac Tweaker”,“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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