What is RequestPlan
RequestPlan is supposed to be an application that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security researchers, this program is adware. Adware can make big problem to your MAC OS. Adware also known as ‘ad-supported’ software is a form of harmful programs that displays a large amount of adverts in form of pop ups, discount offers, promos or even fake alerts on the web-browser. Adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security. Adware software can be installed onto your MAC OS unknowingly (it is frequently web browser plugin).
Does adware software steal your personal information? Adware can collect user info, including:
- IP addresses;
- URLs visited;
- search queries/terms;
- clicks on links and ads;
- web-browser version information.
Adware is usually written in ways common to malicious software, spyware and hijackers. In order to get rid of RequestPlan adware, you will need perform the following steps or use free adware software removal tool listed below.
How does RequestPlan get on your MAC OS
These days certain free applications authors bundle PUPs or adware with a view to making some money. These are not freeware as install an unwanted software on to your Windows MAC. So whenever you install a new free programs that downloaded from the Net, be very careful during installation. Carefully read the EULA (a text with I ACCEPT/I DECLINE button), choose custom or manual setup option, uncheck all third-party apps.
Threat Summary
Name | RequestPlan, RequestPlan 1.0 app |
Type | adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popups, pop-up virus, pop-up ads |
Symptoms |
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Removal | RequestPlan removal guide |
How to remove RequestPlan
There exist several free adware removal tools. Also it is possible to remove RequestPlan adware manually. But we suggest to combine all these solutions below into the one removal algorithm. Follow the steps of the guide. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to close your browser or reboot your computer.
To remove RequestPlan, execute the steps below:
- Remove profiles created by RequestPlan
- Delete RequestPlan associated software by using the Finder
- Remove RequestPlan related files and folders
- Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
- Remove RequestPlan from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
Remove profiles created by RequestPlan
RequestPlan 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 the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.
In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to RequestPlan.
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.
Delete RequestPlan associated software by using the Finder
Some of browser hijackers, adware and PUPs can be removed using the Move to Trash utility which is located in the Finder. So, if you’re running any version of Mac OS and you have noticed an unwanted application, then first try to remove it through the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Carefully browse through the list of installed apps and remove all dubious and unknown apps.
When you’ve found anything dubious that may be the RequestPlan adware or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this program and choose “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.
Remove RequestPlan related files and folders
Now you need to try to find RequestPlan 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 RequestPlan 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, RequestPlan.plist, installapp.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, adware software and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.
Check for RequestPlan 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 RequestPlan 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 RequestPlan 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.search.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.RequestPlan.plist and com.machelper.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.
Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
We recommend using MalwareBytes. You may download and install MalwareBytes Free to look for and delete RequestPlan associated programs from your Mac device. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically finds and removes all security threats exist on the MAC OS.
- Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware on your Apple Mac by clicking on the link below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20851 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- Once the downloading process is finished, close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
- Press the “Scan” button for scanning your machine for the RequestPlan adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your MAC system. While the MalwareBytes program is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
- After MalwareBytes Anti-Malware has completed scanning your computer, it will open the Scan Results. Review the results once the utility has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Quarantine”.
Remove RequestPlan from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
If you’re still seeing RequestPlan ads that won’t go away, you might have malicious extensions installed on your web-browser. Check your browser for unwanted add-ons using the steps below.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to remove RequestPlan by reset Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing issues with RequestPlan adware removal, you need to reset Firefox browser. |
Safari | |
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How to stay safe online
It is important to use ad blocking software like AdGuard to protect your MAC from harmful websites. Most security experts says that it is okay to block advertisements. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard may to block misleading and other unwanted web-pages.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will run automatically and stop undesired pop-up advertisements, block harmful and misleading websites.
Finish words
Now your MAC OS should be clean of the RequestPlan adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted ads and annoying malicious web-pages) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new malware, hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, malicious applications and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of RequestPlan ads from your internet browser, then ask for help here.