How to uninstall ExecutiveOperation app/extension from Mac

What is ExecutiveOperation

ExecutiveOperation is supposed to be an app that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security researchers, this program is adware. Adware is form of apps developed to insert advertisements into your Internet surfing or even desktop experience. Adware can be created to modify your start page, search provider, search results, or even add toolbars to your browser. Adware software run in the background when browse the Internet, and adware can slow down your machine and affect its performance.

Another reason why you need to get rid of the ExecutiveOperation adware is its online data-tracking activity. Adware can be used to gather and transmit sensitive info without your knowledge. Adware has the ability to track information about web-pages visited, web browser and system information, and your machine IP address.

So, if you happen to encounter the adware, then be quick and take effort to remove it ASAP. Follow the tutorial below to remove ExecutiveOperation adware. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

How does ExecutiveOperation get on your machine

Adware may be spread with the help of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but most often, adware come in the composition, together with some freeware. Many creators of free software include optional programs in their installation package. Sometimes it’s possible to avoid the setup of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced setup method, uncheck all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new freeware.

Threat Summary

Name	ExecutiveOperation, Executive Operation 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popup virus, pop ups, popup ads
Symptoms	web-browser pop ups appear and recommend fake updates and other unwanted applications web site links redirect to websites different from what you expected new toolbars on your desktop your browser settings are being modified without your request fast Internet but slow browsing speeds your browser became slower than normal
Removal	ExecutiveOperation removal guide

How to remove ExecutiveOperation

As with removing adware, malware or PUPs, there are few steps you can do. We recommend trying them all. If you do only one part of the guide, then it should be run malicious software removal utility, because it should remove adware and stop any further infection. But to completely get rid of ExecutiveOperation adware you will have to at least reset your web browser settings such as newtab page, search provider by default and home page to default state, remove all unwanted and suspicious apps, and remove adware software with malicious software removal utilities. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to shut down your web browser or restart your machine.

To remove ExecutiveOperation, complete the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Remove ExecutiveOperation related applications through the Finder
3. Remove ExecutiveOperation related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove ExecutiveOperation from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

ExecutiveOperation 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 ExecutiveOperation.

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 computer, which is normal.

Remove ExecutiveOperation related applications through the Finder

In order to delete ExecutiveOperation you need to do is to remove unknown and questionable programs from your computer using the Finder. When uninstalling browser hijackers, adware software and potentially unwanted programs, check the list of installed apps and try to find suspicious applications and remove them all. Pay special attention to recently installed programs, as it’s most likely that ExecutiveOperation сame along with it.

Make sure you have closed all web-browsers and other applications. Next, remove any undesired and suspicious apps from MAC system using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of software installed on your machine. Most probably, one of them is the ExecutiveOperation adware. Select the questionable application or the application that name is not familiar to you and delete it.

Drag the questionable application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

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

Remove ExecutiveOperation related files and folders

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

Check for ExecutiveOperation 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 ExecutiveOperation 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 ExecutiveOperation 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.ExecutiveOperation.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.search.plist, com.installapp.plist and com.machelper.plist. In most cases, PUPs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can get rid of ExecutiveOperation associated files automatically with a help of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). We recommend this free malicious software removal tool because it can easily delete adware, browser hijackers, toolbars and PUPs with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Click the following link to download the latest version of MalwareBytes for Mac.

When the downloading process is finished, close all programs and windows on your computer. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the ExecutiveOperation . This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware program is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified as threat.

Once the scanning is done, MalwareBytes will show a scan report. Review the results once the utility has done the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply press the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Free will begin to get rid of ExecutiveOperation adware.

Remove ExecutiveOperation from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted plugins is a simple way to remove ExecutiveOperation and restore web-browser’s settings which have been changed by adware.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Chrome window. When the drop-down menu appears, select ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of ExecutiveOperation 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 ExecutiveOperation 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

Run an ad-blocking utility such as AdGuard will protect you from harmful advertisements and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web sites. Additionally, ad-blocker applications will allow you to avoid unwanted popup advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Click the link below to download AdGuard.

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

Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted pop up ads, block harmful and misleading web-sites.

Finish words

Now your MAC should be free of the ExecutiveOperation adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop intrusive popup advertisements and malicious web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.

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