How to remove OptimalAssist adware from the operating system

What is OptimalAssist?

OptimalAssist is adware-type application that has browser hijacker characteristics. It operates by running intrusive ad campaigns, modifying browser settings and promoting a bogus search engine. OptimalAssist promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net.

Due to the dubious methods used to spread OptimalAssist, it is also categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Most PUAs have data tracking capabilities, and it is highly likely that this includes OptimalAssist.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and other intrusive ads on any visited website. I.e., the advertisements do not originate from the sites themselves, they are delivered by adware. These ads overlay web page content and limit browsing speed.

When clicked, they redirect to untrusted/malicious web pages and can execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines.

Therefore, each search made via the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. OptimalAssist promotes Safe Finder (through akamaihd.net) in this manner. Few rogue search engines can actually provide results, and so they tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine search engines.

Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to browser settings and/or reset any permitted changes made. Furthermore, most PUAs (browser hijackers and including adware) can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

This vulnerable data is typically shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for profit.

Therefore, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OptimalAssist
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.

UpdaterChannel, ImagineReview and and ProgressExpert are some examples of other adware infections. This software often seems legitimate and harmless. The apps usually offer "useful" features, which are seldom operational. This is typical of most PUAs.

These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause unwanted redirects and collect private data.

How did OptimalAssist install on my computer?

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

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.), people risk unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the device. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate these applications into systems as well.

Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched before download/installation or purchase. You are advised to download from official and verified channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted, since they commonly offer dubious and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OptimalAssist, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once OptimalAssist installation is complete:

OptimalAssist redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

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

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

OptimalAssist adware removal:

Remove OptimalAssist-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.

All products should be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. You are advised to download from official and verified channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders - are untrusted, due to commonly offering dubious and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive ads appear legitimate and harmless, however they redirect to various dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, they must check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OptimalAssist, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware

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