How to uninstall OperativeMachine app/extension from Mac

What is OperativeMachine

According to security professionals, OperativeMachine is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is developed for the purpose of displaying numerous pop ups and/or unwanted adverts on the affected MAC OS without the user’s permission. It’s important, don’t click on these ads, as they can lead you to more malicious or misleading websites. Adware software usually gets installed alongside free programs, codecs and shareware.

Another reason why you need to delete adware is its online data-tracking activity. Adware software can have spyware and keyloggers built into the application, leading to greater damage to your MAC and possible invasion of your privacy information.

You should remove adware immediately. Here, in this article below, you can found the effective guide on How to get rid of OperativeMachine and unwanted ads from your computer for free.

How does OperativeMachine get on your computer

Usually, adware gets into your machine as part of a bundle with freeware, sharing files and other unsafe applications which you downloaded from the Net. The authors of adware software pays software authors for distributing adware software within their programs. So, third-party applications is often included as part of the setup file. In order to avoid the setup of any adware: choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced install mode and uncheck all bundled programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	OperativeMachine, OperativeMachine 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popups, pop up ads, pop-up virus
Symptoms	internet browser pop ups appear and recommend fake Flash updates when you go to a web site, you are automatically redirected to another web page that you do not intend to visit your computer starts automatically installing unwanted applications new icons in your web browser your web browser home page has replaced and you cannot modify it back fast Internet but slow browsing speeds your machine starts performing very slowly
Removal	OperativeMachine removal guide

How to remove OperativeMachine from Mac device

If you have consistent pop ups or unwanted advertisements, slow computer, crashing machine issues, you are in need of adware removal assistance. The steps below will guide you forward to get OperativeMachine adware removed and will allow you get your MAC system operating at peak capacity again.

To remove OperativeMachine, use the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by OperativeMachine
2. Delete OperativeMachine associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove OperativeMachine related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove OperativeMachine from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove profiles created by OperativeMachine

OperativeMachine 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 associated with OperativeMachine.

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.

Delete OperativeMachine associated software by using the Finder

Try to identify and delete the application that causes the appearance of intrusive advertisements or internet browser redirect, using the Applications list which is located in the Finder.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will open a list of all apps installed on the machine.
4. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall questionable and unknown applications. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
5. Drag the questionable application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove OperativeMachine related files and folders

Now you need to try to find OperativeMachine 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 OperativeMachine 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, installapp.plist, search.plist and OperativeMachine.plist. Most often, adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Check for OperativeMachine 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 OperativeMachine 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 OperativeMachine 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.macsearch.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.OperativeMachine.plist, com.search.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 delete OperativeMachine related files automatically with a help of MalwareBytes Free. We recommend this free malicious software removal utility because it can easily remove toolbars, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

1. Please go to the following link to download MalwareBytes Anti Malware.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20851 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once downloading is finished, please close all software and open windows on your MAC. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes will launch and show the main window.
4. Further, press the “Scan” button to scan for OperativeMachine adware. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted applications are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.
5. When MalwareBytes is complete scanning your MAC OS, the results are displayed in the scan report.
6. When you are ready, click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove OperativeMachine from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted addons is a easy way to remove OperativeMachine adware and restore web-browser’s settings that have been modified by adware software.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Google Chrome window. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete OperativeMachine 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 issues with OperativeMachine adware 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 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 block phishing and spam web-pages. Additionally, ad-blocking software will help you to avoid intrusive pop ups and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Apple Mac.

When downloading is complete, 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 press “Get Started” to see an quick instructions which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive pop up ads, block harmful and misleading web sites.

Finish words

Now your machine should be clean of the OperativeMachine adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted advertisements and unwanted harmful webpages) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your machine for new adwares and other malicious software).

If you are still having problems while trying to remove OperativeMachine from the Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox, then ask for help here here.