How to remove StandardMethod from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is StandardMethod

StandardMethod is supposed to be an application that will improve the browsing experience, but it is adware. Adware can make big problems to your MAC system. Adware also known as ‘adware software’ is harmful program that displays lots of adverts in form of popup windows, discount offers, promos or even fake alerts on the machine. Adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security. Adware can be installed onto your MAC OS without a full disclosure.

Does adware steal your personal information? Adware software can be used to collect your browsing history and sensitive information, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, privacy info about you can be sold to third parties.

Take a deep breath. Learn everything you should know about StandardMethod removal, how to remove intrusive advertisements from your web browser and MAC OS. Find the best free adware and malicious software removal utilities here!

How does StandardMethod get on your machine

Adware most likely to occur during the installation of freeware due the fact that PUPs like this are usually hidden in the install package. Thus, if you have installed some freeware using Quick(Standard) mode, you may have let adware software get inside your Apple Mac. Keep in mind that the Quick mode is unreliable because it do not warn about optional applications. Thus, additional apps will be installed automatically unless you choose Advanced/Custom mode and disable its installation.

Threat Summary

Name	StandardMethod, StandardMethod 1.0 app
Type	adware software, potentially unwanted program (PUP), pop ups, popup advertisements, popup virus
Symptoms	adverts appear in places they shouldn’t be your web browser is redirected to web pages you did not want new entries appear in your Applications folder new toolbars suddenly added on your web-browser your internet browser settings are being modified without your request slow Internet or slow browsing your Apple Mac became slower than normal
Removal	StandardMethod removal guide

How to remove StandardMethod from Mac device

Fortunately, we’ve an effective way that will help you manually or/and automatically remove StandardMethod from your web browser and bring your internet browser settings, including homepage, default search engine and newtab, back to normal. Below you’ll find a removal steps with all the steps you may need to successfully get rid of adware software and its traces. Some of the steps will require you to restart your MAC or close this website. So, read this guidance carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove StandardMethod, execute the steps below:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Check the list of installed apps
3. Remove StandardMethod related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove StandardMethod from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

StandardMethod 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 StandardMethod.

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.

Check the list of installed apps

The next step in deleting adware, browser hijackers and PUPs by yourself is to go into the Finder, then Applications. Take a look at the list of software on your Mac computer and see if there are any questionable and unknown software. If you see any, you need to delete it. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Web search to find details on the application. If it is a adware software, PUP and browser hijacker, you will likely find information that says so.

Open Finder and click “Applications” as displayed in the figure below.

You will see a list of software installed on your machine. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the application you installed last. Most likely, it is the StandardMethod adware. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

When the program which you need to remove is found, simply right click on its name, and choose “Move to Trash”.

Don’t forget, choose Finder, then “Empty Trash”.

Remove StandardMethod related files and folders

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

Check for StandardMethod 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 StandardMethod 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 StandardMethod 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.macsearch.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.search.plist and com.StandardMethod.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 StandardMethod removal or just wish to check your Mac occasionally for adware and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes Free. It is free for home use, and scans for and removes various undesired software that attacks your Apple Mac or degrades MAC system performance. MalwareBytes AntiMalware can remove browser hijackers, adware software, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars as well as malware, including ransomware and trojans.

1. Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Apple Mac.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20851 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When the downloading process is finished, please close all applications and open windows on your computer. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes will launch and display the main window.
4. Further, press the “Scan” button to start checking your computer for the StandardMethod adware. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your machine. While the MalwareBytes program is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
5. Once MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) has finished scanning your MAC, a list of all items found is prepared.
6. When you are ready, click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove StandardMethod from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still getting StandardMethod , then you can try to remove it by uninstalling malicious addons.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Chrome. 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 delete StandardMethod by reset Google 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 issues with StandardMethod 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

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

1. AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once the downloading process is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the install is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will run automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block harmful and misleading websites.

Finish words

Once you have complete the steps outlined above, your MAC system should be clean from this adware and other malware. The Safari, Chrome and Mozilla Firefox will no longer open unwanted websites and online ads when you browse the Internet. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.

Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the StandardMethod adware.