How to uninstall the AweCleaner app from the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove AweCleaner from Mac?
What is AweCleaner?
AweCleaner is advertised as all-in-one cleaner that cleans, optimized and speeds up Mac computers. Nevertheless, due to questionable methods used to distribute this AweCleaner it is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA). Typically, users do not download and install PUAs knowingly.
AweCleaner includes features called "Junk Cleaner", "Uninstaller", "Duplicate Cleaner", "Large File Cleaner", "Disk Manager", "Startup Items", File Shredder" and a couple of other features. The problem with AweCleaner is that this app is not free and since it is categorized as PUA, it may be designed to generate fake scan results. Simply said, it may be designed to trick users into believing that there are many unwanted items that they could remove with the full (paid) version. Another issue with PUAs is that quite often they are distributed alongside with other apps of this kind, for example, browser hijackers, adware-type apps.
Browser hijackers promote fake search engines (their addresses) by modifying certain browser settings. Adware-type apps generate advertisements. For example, coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, or ads of other types. Both browser hijackers and adware-type apps can be designed to function as data collectors that gather browsing data. For example, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, IP addresses. Some of them could be designed to gather sensitive details as well. Moreover, collected details could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals), or monetized in other ways.
| Name | AweCleaner potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application), Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Supposed Functionality | Mac cleaner/optimizer |
| Detection Names (Installer) | Avast (MacOS:AweCleaner-B [PUP]), AVG (MacOS:AweCleaner-B [PUP]), DrWeb (Program.Unwanted.4995), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (Application) | Avast (MacOS:AweCleaner-B [PUP]), AVG (MacOS:AweCleaner-B [PUP]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/AweCleaner.B Potentially Unwanted), 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. |
Examples of other PUAs that are quite similar to AweCleaner are Mac Security, Macfaster Pro and PowerMyMac. The problem with such apps is that in some cases they are designed to trick users into paying money for their activation/registration and that it is common for users to download, and install such apps unknowingly. Therefore, it is advised not to trust apps of this type.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Most of the times users download and/or install potentially unwanted apps when they are included in download or/and installation setups of other programs as extra offers and users do not decline them. Usually, it can be done by unticking certain checkboxes or via "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings that are available in download and/or installation setups. This distribution method of potentially unwanted apps is known as "bundling". In some cases users accidentally download and/or install PUAs by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download and/or installation setups that have some checkboxes or settings like "Custom", "Advanced" should be always checked for offers to download and/or install additionally included apps. Programs and files should not be downloaded (or installed) through unofficial websites, third party downloaders (or installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), etc. They should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct links. Advertisements on shady websites should not be clicked as well. Those ads could be designed either to open untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations. Any suspicious, unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed. The same should be done with software of this kind that is 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 AweCleaner application (GIF):
AweCleaner installation setup:
Website promoting AweCleaner 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 AweCleaner?
- 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 awecleaner 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.
AweCleaner potentially unwanted application removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove awecleaner 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 awecleaner 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 awecleaner 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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