How to uninstall MacMaster from macOS?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove MacMaster from Mac?
What is MacMaster?
MacMaster is the name of an application which allows users to scan Mac computers for large and old files, duplicate files, to uninstall unwanted software, clean browsing history, cookies and HTML local storage. Simply said, this app is designed to clean up Macs. However, it is distributed through rogue installers. Users who use such installers often install apps unknowingly. Therefore, MacMaster is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
It is common that the aforementioned installers are used to distribute not only apps like MacMaster but also other types of PUAs like adware, browser hijackers. Adware is a type of software that serves advertisements. For example, it can be designed to serve banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups and/or other types of ads. When clicked, those ads can open untrustworthy pages, or even execute scripts designed to download and/or install unwanted, potentially malicious apps. Browser hijackers are PUAs that are designed to promote some fake search engine (its address) by changing browser settings such as address of a homepage, default search engine and new tab. In most cases fake search engines do not generate individual, unique results (they provide results generated by some other, usually legitimate search engine). Also, they can be designed to generate results that would include links to shady pages. Another problem with both adware-type apps and browser hijackers is that they often are designed to collect various data (like IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, etc.). It is worthwhile to mention that rogue installers like the ones that are used to distribute MacMaster could be designed to proliferate (install) malware like ransomware, Trojans, or other software of this kind. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to use third party (unofficial) installers and install apps like MacMaster only through installers that can be downloaders from their official download pages.
| Name | MacMaster potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application), Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Supposed Functionality | Mac cleaner |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:PuAgent-AH [PUP]), AVG (MacOS:PuAgent-AH [PUP]), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/MacMaster.C Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (Misleading:Win32/Lodi), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Some more examples of apps that are distributed using the same or similar methods are Quick Mac Fixer, Total Mac Fixer and Quick Mac Booster. It is recommended not to trust apps that are categorized as PUAs, especially if they are not free. Some of them may be designed to perform fake virus, error and/or other scans or trick users into paying money for their activation in some other ways.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Typically, users download and/or install potentially unwanted applications through setups of other programs, when PUAs are integrated in setups as additional offers. Usually those offers can be declined before completing downloads and/or installations. It can be done through "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings of setups. When users download and/or install programs without checking and changing the aforementioned settings (or checkboxes), they download and/or install included PUAs too. Also, in some cases such downloads and/or installations can be caused by clicking deceptive ads, however, onbly the ones that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to download programs and files from official pages and through direct download links. Other sources, tools like torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites, etc., can be used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious programs. The same applies to to third party installers. Also, it is recommended to always check if download and/or installation setups have "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings - those settings often can be used to decline offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Additionally, it is advised not to click advertisements that appear on various shady websites - they can be designed to open untrustworthy sites, or even cause unwanted downloads, installations. Any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons or plug-ins) that are installed on a web browser should be removed from it. The same should be done with programs of this kind that are installed on a computer. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of MacMaster application (GIF):
Download page for MacMaster:
MacMaster's installer
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is MacMaster?
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove 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 macmaster potentially unwanted application 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
MacMaster potentially unwanted application removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove macmaster potentially unwanted application related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove macmaster potentially unwanted application related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove macmaster potentially unwanted application related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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