How to remove OptimalRecord from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is OptimalRecord

According to security specialists, OptimalRecord is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware group . Adware is type of apps designed to insert advertising into your Web browsing or even desktop experience. Adware can be designed to change your start page, search engine, search results, or even add toolbars to your browser. Adware run in the background when surf the Net, and adware can slow down your MAC and affect its performance.

Unwanted ads

Does adware steal your privacy information? Adware has the ability to gather a wide variety of privacy data which can be later transferred third party companies. You don’t know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe.

If you would like to remove OptimalRecord and free your browser of unwanted advertisements and are unable to do so, you can follow the instructions below to locate and get rid of adware software and any other malicious software for free.

How does OptimalRecord get on your machine

Adware is bundled with some free applications. So always read carefully the installation screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install procedure. Additionally pay attention for bundled apps which are being installed along with the main program. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, use an ad blocker program that will help to block malicious and untrustworthy web-pages.

Threat Summary

Name	OptimalRecord
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popup virus, popup advertisements, popups
Symptoms	unwanted ads appear on web sites that you are visiting when you go to a web-site, you are automatically rerouted to another web site that you do not intend to visit unwanted programs installed without your consent unwanted toolbars in your internet browser your internet browser homepage or search engine keeps changing or is not set to Google anymor slow browsing Internet your Apple Mac became slower than normal
Removal	OptimalRecord removal guide

How to remove OptimalRecord from Mac computer

There present several free adware removal utilities. Also it is possible to delete OptimalRecord adware manually. But we suggest to combine all these methods below into the one removal algorithm. Follow the steps of the tutorial. Some of the steps will require you to reboot your MAC system or shut down this web site. So, read this tutorial carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove OptimalRecord, use the following steps:

Remove profiles created by OptimalRecord
Check the list of installed programs
Remove OptimalRecord related files and folders
Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
Remove OptimalRecord from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
How to stay safe online
Finish words

Remove profiles created by OptimalRecord

OptimalRecord can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware software.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac computer. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with OptimalRecord.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Check the list of installed programs

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

Make sure you have closed all browsers and other applications. Next, remove any unrequested and suspicious software from machine using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of applications installed on your MAC. Most likely, one of them is the OptimalRecord adware. Select the dubious application or the program that name is not familiar to you and remove it.

Drag the suspicious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove OptimalRecord related files and folders

Now you need to try to find OptimalRecord 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 OptimalRecord 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, com.machelper.plist, search.plist, installapp.plist and OptimalRecord.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for OptimalRecord 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 OptimalRecord 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 OptimalRecord 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.machelper.plist, com.OptimalRecord.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.macsearch.plist and com.search.plist. In most cases, adware software, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you are still having problems with the OptimalRecord removal or just wish to check your Mac computer occasionally for adware and other malware, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware. It’s free for home use, and detects and removes various undesired apps that attacks your computer or degrades Apple Mac performance. MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) can remove browser hijackers, toolbars, PUPs and adware software as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

Please go to the link below to download MalwareBytes.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
19022 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
When the download is done, close all programs and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
Click the “Scan” button for scanning your MAC system for the OptimalRecord adware software. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your MAC OS. While the MalwareBytes Free tool is checking, you may see number of objects it has identified as being affected by malware.
When finished, MalwareBytes will display you the results. When you’re ready, click “Quarantine”.

Remove OptimalRecord from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to get rid of malicious plugins. This can remove OptimalRecord adware and fix some surfing problems, especially after adware software infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of OptimalRecord 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 OptimalRecord removal, you need to reset 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.

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots.
Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’.
Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension.
Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box.

You can also try to get rid of OptimalRecord 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 OptimalRecord removal, you need to reset 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

Use an adblocker utility like AdGuard will protect you from malicious ads and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web sites. Additionally, adblocker programs will help you to avoid intrusive popups and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Click the link below to download AdGuard.

Once the downloading process is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you start your MAC OS, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying pop-up advertisements, block harmful and misleading web sites.

Finish words

Now your MAC should be clean of the OptimalRecord adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-up ads and unwanted harmful webpages) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC system 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 hijackers, harmful applications and adware are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove OptimalRecord from your browser, then ask for help here.