OptimalAssist is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) belonging to the category of Adware. Adware can cause many troubles such as unwanted ads and popups on your browser, irrelevant search results which redirect to unwanted web-pages, web browser crashes and slow loading web-sites.
Unwanted ads
Another reason why you need to get rid of adware is its online data-tracking activity. The OptimalAssist adware can be used to collect confidential information about you (your ip address, what is a website you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Web, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.
How does OptimalAssist get on your MAC OS
Adware usually gets installed as a part of some freeware. Do not be surprised, it happens, especially if you’re an active World Wide Web user. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to select a Custom, Advanced or Manual installation method. Here disable all third-party apps in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion.
Threat Summary
| Name | OptimalAssist |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up virus, pop-ups, popup ads |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | OptimalAssist removal guide |
How to Remove OptimalAssist adware
The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will allow you easily to clean your computer of OptimalAssist adware. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal solution. If you are familiar with the MAC OS then use manual removal, otherwise use the free antimalware utility created specifically to remove adware software. Of course, you may combine both methods. Some of the steps will require you to reboot your MAC OS or shut down this web-site. So, read this guidance carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove OptimalAssist, perform the following steps:
- Manual OptimalAssist removal
- Automatic Removal of OptimalAssist adware
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
Manual OptimalAssist removal
This part of the post is a step-by-step tutorial that will show you how to remove OptimalAssist manually. You just need to follow every step. In this case, you do not need to download any additional tools.
Deleting the OptimalAssist, check the list of installed software first
Some PUPs, browser hijacking software and adware can be deleted by uninstalling the free software they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed apps in Finder. Use the “Move to Trash” command in order to get rid of them.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Carefully browse through the list of installed programs and delete all dubious and unknown apps.
After you have found anything questionable that may be the OptimalAssist adware or other PUP, then right click this application and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.
Get rid of OptimalAssist from Firefox by resetting internet browser settings
If Mozilla Firefox settings are hijacked by the adware software, your internet browser displays unwanted pop-up ads, then ‘Reset Mozilla Firefox’ could solve these problems. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, start the Firefox and press 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Further, click the Help button (
) as shown below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page as on the image below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation prompt. Further, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the OptimalAssist adware software. Once, it is complete, click the “Finish” button.
Remove OptimalAssist adware from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings can help you solve some problems caused by adware and delete OptimalAssist ads from web-browser. This will also disable harmful plugins as well as clear cookies and site data. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be lost. This will not affect your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other saved data.
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will display the drop-down menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the plugin labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, like the one below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Delete OptimalAssist from Safari
By resetting Safari web browser you revert back your browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by OptimalAssist adware software.
Run Safari web-browser. Next, select Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” icon. Here, choose “Block pop-up windows”. It will block some types of pop ups.
Now, click the “Extensions” icon. Look for dubious plugins on left panel, choose it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all suspicious extensions from Safari.
Once complete, check your homepage and search provider settings. Click “General” tab. Make sure that the “Homepage” field contains the website you want or is empty.
Make sure that the “Search engine” setting shows your preferred search engine. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Automatic Removal of OptimalAssist adware
If your MAC OS is still infected with the OptimalAssist adware, then the best method of detection and removal is to run an anti malware scan on the MAC OS. Download free malware removal utilities below and start a full system scan. It will help you delete all components of the adware software from hardisk and Windows registry.
Automatically delete OptimalAssist adware with MalwareBytes Free
Manual OptimalAssist adware removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware can be not completely removed. We suggest that run the MalwareBytes that are completely clean your machine of adware. Moreover, this free tool will help you to delete hijacker, malicious software, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC system may be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware on your computer from the following link.
20850 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After downloading is done, close all windows on your MAC OS. Further, run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main window as displayed on the image below.
Next, click the “Scan Now” button to scan for OptimalAssist . Depending on your MAC, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour.
As the scanning ends, MalwareBytes will display a list of all items detected by the scan. Review the report and then press “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will remove OptimalAssist adware and move the selected items to the Quarantine.
How to stay safe online
Running an ad-blocker program such as AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad-blocker software will also protect you from harmful ads and web-pages, and, of course, block redirection chain to misleading and similar web pages.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard on your Windows Desktop by clicking on the link below.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the downloading process is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you launch your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block malicious and misleading web sites.
To sum up
Now your computer should be free of the OptimalAssist adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block undesired ads and malicious websites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.
If you need more help with OptimalAssist related issues, go to here.
