How to uninstall CleanParameter app/extension from Mac

What is CleanParameter

CleanParameter is an adware program. Adware is something that you should be aware of even if you use Safari, Google Chrome or other modern web-browser. This is the name given to apps that have been created to display unwanted advertisements and pop-up commercials onto your web-browser screen. The reason for adware’s existence is to make profit for its author.

Does adware software steal your personal data? Adware can collect confidential information, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and advertisements;
• web browser version information.

Therefore, the CleanParameter does not really have beneficial features. So, we suggest you get rid of it immediately. This will also prevent the adware from tracking your online activities. A full CleanParameter removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic method listed below.

How does CleanParameter get on your computer

In many cases, a freeware installer includes bundled apps like this adware. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to choose a Custom, Advanced or Manual installation method. Here disable all additional software in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion. The main thing you should remember, you don’t need to install any third-party apps which you do not trust!

Threat Summary

Name	CleanParameter, CleanParameter 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up virus, pop up ads, pop-ups
Symptoms	web-browser popups appear and recommend fake Jave updates every time you perform an Internet search, your web-browser is redirected to another web-site there is an unexpected application in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder unexpected browser add-ons or toolbars keep coming back unwanted changes in your browser such as using a new default search provider your web browser slows to a crawl your machine crashes
Removal	CleanParameter removal guide

How to remove CleanParameter

When the adware gets installed on your MAC system without your knowledge, it’s not easy to uninstall. In many cases, there is no Uninstall program which simply remove the CleanParameter from your MAC system. So, we suggest using well-proven free specialized tool like MalwareBytes. But the best solution to get rid of adware will be to perform several manual steps, after that additionally run antimalware utilities.

To remove CleanParameter, use the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by CleanParameter

CleanParameter 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 CleanParameter.

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 programs

The next step to remove adware, browser hijackers and PUPs is to uninstall unknown and dubious software. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. We suggest you not to skip this step, as it often helps to get rid of annoying ads and web browser redirects.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed software and delete all suspicious and unknown apps.

After you’ve found anything dubious that may be the CleanParameter adware or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove CleanParameter related files and folders

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you carefully followed the previous steps, then you should be able to remove CleanParameter. Of course, very often browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs hides on a Mac computer, 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 PUPs, browser hijackers and adware. Therefore, we suggest you to run MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) to scan the Mac device.

Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) on your MAC by clicking on the link below.

When the download is done, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to search for CleanParameter adware software. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware tool is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being affected by malware. When you are ready, press the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti Malware is a free application that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove CleanParameter from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still getting CleanParameter adware software, then you can try to remove it by removing malicious extensions.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Google Chrome window. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove CleanParameter 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 CleanParameter 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

Using an ad-blocker program like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad blocking programs will also protect you from harmful advertisements and web-sites, and, of course, block redirection chain to misleading, scam and similar web sites.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

When downloading is done, 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 guidance. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you launch your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted pop ups, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

Finish words

Now your computer should be free of the CleanParameter adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popup advertisements and annoying malicious web sites) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new malware, hijackers and adware software). 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, malicious applications and adware are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of unwanted ads from your web-browser, then ask for help here.