According to security researchers, GeneralCache is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the the Adware family. What is the purpose of Adware? Adware is form of malicious software that can cause issues for your Apple Mac. It can generate numerous additional pop up, banner, pop-under and in-text link advertisements flooding on your web-browser; gather your privacy data like login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your MAC running speed; give more chances for other adware, potentially unwanted software even malware to get on your MAC system.
Unwanted ads
Even worse, the GeneralCache adware can be used to gather your surfing history and sensitive information, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, marketing-type data about you can be sold to third parties.
So, we suggest you get rid of GeneralCache adware as soon as possible. This will also prevent the adware software from tracking your online activities. A full GeneralCache removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic solution listed below.
How does GeneralCache get on your machine
Many of the freeware out there install unwanted web-browser toolbars, browser hijackers, adware and PUPs along with them without your knowledge. One has to be attentive while installing free applications in order to avoid accidentally installing optional apps. It’s important that you pay attention to the EULA (End User License Agreements) and select the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation mode as it will typically disclose what additional programs will also be installed.
Threat Summary
| Name | GeneralCache, General Cache 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), popups, pop-up ads, popup virus |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | GeneralCache removal guide |
How to Remove GeneralCache adware (removal guide)
Fortunately, we have an effective method that will assist you manually or/and automatically delete GeneralCache ads from your web-browser and bring your browser settings, including search provider, homepage and new tab, back to normal. Below you will find a removal instructions with all the steps you may need to successfully remove adware software and its components. Some of the steps below will require you to close this web-site. So, please read the step-by-step tutorial carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove GeneralCache, follow the steps below:
- Manual GeneralCache adware removal
- Automatic Removal of GeneralCache adware
- Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
- To sum up
Manual GeneralCache adware removal
The most common adware can be removed manually, without the use of antivirus software or other removal utilities. The manual steps below will guide you through how to get rid of GeneralCache ads step by step. Although each of the steps is simple and does not require special knowledge, but you are not sure that you can complete them, then use the free tools, a list of which is given below.
Remove GeneralCache associated software by using the Finder
In order to delete PUPs such as this adware software, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed software. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, browser hijacker or PUPs. If yes, remove them off. Even if they are just a programs which you do not use, then removing them off will increase your MAC OS start up time and speed dramatically.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your MAC OS. Most probably, one of them is the GeneralCache adware. If you’ve many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious programs by sort the list by date of installation.
Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it and select “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Don’t forget, select Finder -> “Empty Trash”.
Remove GeneralCache from Chrome
If you have adware software, GeneralCache removal problem or Google Chrome is running slow, then reset Google Chrome can help you. In this guidance we will show you the method to reset your Google Chrome settings and data to default values without reinstall.
- First, launch the Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will show the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed plugins. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the internet browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove GeneralCache adware software from Safari
If you find that Safari web-browser settings such as home page, newtab and search provider by default having been modified by GeneralCache , then you may revert back your settings, via the reset internet browser procedure.
Run Safari browser. Next, choose Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” icon. Here, select “Block pop-up windows”. It will stop some types of pop-ups.
Now, click the “Extensions” icon. Look for suspicious addons on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all dubious plugins from Safari.
Once complete, check your homepage and search engine settings. Click “General” icon. 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 provider. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Delete GeneralCache from Mozilla Firefox
Resetting your Firefox is basic troubleshooting step for any issues with your web-browser application, including the GeneralCache ads. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, open the Mozilla Firefox and press 
button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web browser. Further, click the Help button (
) as shown on the screen below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the figure 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 process to fix your problems that caused by the GeneralCache adware. After, it is complete, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of GeneralCache adware
If you are not expert at machine technology, then we suggest to run free removal utilities listed below to delete GeneralCache adware for good. The automatic method is highly recommended. It has less steps and easier to implement than the manual way. Moreover, it lower risk of system damage. So, the automatic GeneralCache removal is a better option.
Use MalwareBytes Free to delete GeneralCache adware
Manual GeneralCache adware removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware software can be not fully removed. We recommend that use the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware that are completely clean your computer of adware. Moreover, this free tool will help you to remove hijacker, malware, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC OS can be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) on your machine by clicking on the following link.
20984 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once downloading is complete, close all apps and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.
Once install is done, you will see window as shown on the screen below.
Now click the “Scan” button to begin scanning your MAC OS for the GeneralCache adware. Depending on your machine, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes program is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
After the scan get finished, MalwareBytes Free will display a list of all threats found by the scan. Once you’ve selected what you want to remove from your MAC click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The Malwarebytes will now delete GeneralCache and move the selected items to the program’s quarantine.
Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
In order to increase your security and protect your Apple Mac against new intrusive advertisements and malicious webpages, you need to run ad blocking application that stops an access to harmful advertisements and web-sites. Moreover, the program may stop the open of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of web pages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3772 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the download is done, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick tutorial. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you run your MAC OS, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop annoying pop-ups, block malicious and misleading webpages.
To sum up
Now your MAC system should be clean of the GeneralCache adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up advertisements and undesired malicious webpages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new malware, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijacker infections, malicious software and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of GeneralCache ads from your web-browser, then ask for help here.
