How to uninstall Common Generation app/extension from Mac

What is CommonGeneration

CommonGeneration is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is something which created in order to show third-party ads to the user without asking his permission. Adware takes control of internet browsers and redirects them to unwanted web sites and online ads every time you browse the Web. Adware can end up on your computer in various methods. In many cases is when you download free applications and forget to uncheck the box for the optional applications installation.

Does adware steal your confidential information? Adware be able to gather your surfing history and personal data, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, your privacy data can be used for marketing purposes.

Do not panic because we have got the solution. Here’s a tutorial on how to remove CommonGeneration adware from the computer and clean your internet browser of unwanted ads.

How does CommonGeneration get on your computer

Adware software is bundled within some free programs. So always read carefully the installation screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install process. Additionally pay attention for optional applications which are being installed along with the main application. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, use an adblocker application that will help to block suspicious and untrustworthy web pages.

Threat Summary

Name	CommonGeneration, Common Generation 1.0 app
Type	adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up ads, popup virus, popups
Symptoms	you experience a large number of of unwanted advertisements web-site links reroute to websites different from what you expected new extensions suddenly installed on your internet browser your browser home page or search provider keeps changing or is not set to Google anymor slow Internet or slow browsing your internet browser became slower than normal
Removal	CommonGeneration removal guide

How to Remove CommonGeneration (removal instructions)

We can assist you remove CommonGeneration ads from your web browsers, without the need to take your MAC OS to a professional. Simply follow the removal instructions below if you currently have the intrusive adware software on your MAC system and want to remove it. If you have any difficulty while trying to remove the CommonGeneration adware, feel free to ask for our assist in the comment section below. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your internet browser or reboot your Apple Mac.

To remove CommonGeneration, use the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by CommonGeneration
2. Check the list of installed software
3. Remove CommonGeneration related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove CommonGeneration from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove profiles created by CommonGeneration

CommonGeneration can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to CommonGeneration.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac, which is normal.

Check the list of installed software

It’s of primary importance to identify and delete PUPs, browser hijackers and adware software through ‘Applications’ section of your Finder.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will display a list of all applications installed on the MAC OS.
4. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall questionable and unknown apps. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
5. Drag the questionable program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove CommonGeneration related files and folders

Now you need to try to find CommonGeneration related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for CommonGeneration generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: macsearch.plist, CommonGeneration.plist, search.plist, com.machelper.plist and installapp.plist. Most often, PUPs, browser hijackers and adware software create several files with similar names.

Check for CommonGeneration generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for CommonGeneration generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for CommonGeneration generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.macsearch.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.search.plist, com.CommonGeneration.plist and com.installapp.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you carefully followed the previous steps, then you should be able to delete CommonGeneration. Of course, very often adware software, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers hides on a Mac, disguising itself as legitimate apps and files. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult for an inexperienced user to decide whether a particular file is part of adware software, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs. Therefore, we suggest you to use MalwareBytes to scan the Mac computer.

Click the link below to download MalwareBytes Free.

After the download is done, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to begin checking your MAC for the CommonGeneration adware software. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as being affected by malware. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a free program that you can use to get rid of all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove CommonGeneration from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted addons is a simple method to remove CommonGeneration ads and revert back web-browser’s settings that have been replaced by adware.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Google Chrome window. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete CommonGeneration adware by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing problems with CommonGeneration adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

The AdGuard is a very good ad blocking program for the Safari, Firefox and Chrome, with active user support. It does a great job by removing certain types of annoying advertisements, popunders, pop-ups, annoying new tab pages, and even full page ads and web-page overlay layers. Of course, the AdGuard can stop harmful websites automatically or by using a custom filter rule.

Click the link below to download AdGuard.

Once the download is finished, 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 instructions. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive ads, block malicious and misleading websites.

To sum up

Now your MAC OS should be clean of the CommonGeneration adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your machine for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you stop undesired ads and harmful websites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party applications.

If you need more help with CommonGeneration related issues, go to here.