How to uninstall the PowerMyMac application?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove PowerMyMac from Mac?
What is PowerMyMac?
PowerMyMac is advertised as a tool that is designed to optimize and clean up Mac computers. However, it is known that this app is distributed by using questionable methods which increases a chance that users could download and install this app unknowingly. For this reason PowerMyMac is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
PowerMyMac allows users to scan their computers for large, old files, duplicate files, uninstall unwanted apps, private data, system cache and other items. However, none of them can be removed with the nonactivated version of the PowerMyMac app. In other words, in order to be able to use features that are available in PowerMyMac users need to pay for it. It is worthwhile to mention that apps that are categorized as PUAs can be designed to perform fake scans (e.g., detect fake issues) to trick users into paying money for their full version. It is unknown whether PowerMyMac is designed to function as one of these apps, however, there is such a possibility. Also, it is common that installers for apps like PowerMyMac are used to distribute other PUAs, for example, browser hijackers, adware-type apps. Browser hijackers are designed to promote fake search engines (their addresses) by modifying certain browsers settings. Adware-type apps are designed serve various ads that, when clicked, tend to open questionable pages or even cause unwanted downloads, installations by running certain scripts. Quite often both adware-type apps and browser hijackers are designed to function as data collectors that gather browsing-related information, or even sensitive detail. The problem with it is that collected data could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misuse it in other ways.
| Name | PowerMyMac potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application), Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Supposed Functionality | Mac optimizer, cleaner |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:IMyMac-J [PUP]), AVG (MacOS:IMyMac-J [PUP]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/IMyMac.I Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/Presenoker), 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. |
Wise Mac Care, PowerSuite and Osx Uninstaller are the names of other more or less similar PUAs. It is recommended not to trust apps of this kind, especially if they are not free. Such apps may not fix any detected errors, remove issues, eliminate malware, etc., or be useful in some other way. It is advised to use only reputable apps.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
It is common that potentially unwanted applications are distributed by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - by including them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. In most cases those offers can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" other settings of setups, or by unticking certain checkboxes. When users download and/or install programs without doing that, they agree with offers to download/and or install included apps as well. Sometimes unwanted downloads and/or installation can be caused by clicking deceptive ads, however, they cause it only when they click ads that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Neither programs aor files should be downloaded (or installed) from unofficial websites, via third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), etc. They should be downloaded only from reliable, official sites and via direct download links. Download and/or installation setups with settings like "Custom", "Advanced" (or checkboxes) should be always checked for offers to download and/or install additionally included apps. Ads that appear on questionable websites should not be trusted (clicked): they can be designed to open shady websites or cause downloads, installations of some unwanted applications. Suspicious, unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are already installed on a browser should be removed from it. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. 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 PowerMyMac application (GIF):
PowerMyMac installation setup:
Website promoting PowerMyMac application:
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 PowerMyMac?
- 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 powermymac 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.
PowerMyMac potentially unwanted application removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove powermymac 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 powermymac 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 powermymac 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!