How to uninstall SampleConsole app/extension from Mac

What is SampleConsole

According to security professionals, SampleConsole is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware family. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malicious software’. It’s a form of malicious applications that displays unwanted ads to computer users. Some examples include pop up ads, different offers and deals or unclosable windows. Adware software can be installed onto your Apple Mac via infected web pages, when you open email attachments, anytime you download and install freeware.

Another reason why you need to get rid of the SampleConsole adware is its online data-tracking activity. Adware may monetize its functionality by gathering privacy information from your surfing sessions. This privacy data, afterwards, can be easily used for marketing purposes. This puts your confidential data at a security risk.

If you are unfortunate have adware, you can follow the guide below that will allow you to delete SampleConsole and thereby delete any unwanted advertisements from your internet browser.

How does SampleConsole get on your MAC

In many cases, a freeware installer includes third-party applications such as this adware. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to choose a Custom, Advanced or Manual install method. Here reject all optional programs in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion. The main thing you should remember, you do not need to install any third-party apps which you do not trust!

Threat Summary

Name	SampleConsole, SampleConsole 1.0 app
Type	adware software, potentially unwanted program (PUP), pop ups, pop up virus, pop-up advertisements
Symptoms	pop-ups and new tab pages are loaded without your request your browser is redirected to web-pages you did not want unexpected programs installed without your knowledge unwanted browser toolbars your web browser settings are being changed without your request slow Internet browsing speeds your MAC OS crashes
Removal	SampleConsole removal guide

How to remove SampleConsole from Mac computer

There are a few methods that can be used to remove SampleConsole adware. But, not all potentially unwanted programs such as this adware can be completely deleted utilizing only manual methods. In most cases you are not able to uninstall any adware using standard Mac OS options. In order to remove SampleConsole you need complete a few manual steps and run reliable removal tools. Most IT security experts states that MalwareBytes Anti-Malware utility is a right choice. The free application is able to scan for and remove adware software from your Mac and revert back your browser settings to defaults.

To remove SampleConsole, use the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by SampleConsole

SampleConsole 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.

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 SampleConsole.

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.

Check the list of installed applications

In the next step, you need to check the list of installed software on your Mac device and uninstall all unused, unknown and suspicious software.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Very carefully look around the entire list of applications installed on your MAC OS. Most probably, one of them is the SampleConsole adware. Once you’ve found a questionable, unwanted or unused program, right click to it and select “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

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

Remove SampleConsole related files and folders

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

Check for SampleConsole 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 SampleConsole 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 SampleConsole 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.SampleConsole.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.macsearch.plist and com.search.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, adware 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 SampleConsole. Of course, very often potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers 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, adware and browser hijackers. Therefore, we recommend you to use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to scan the Mac computer.

1. Visit the following page to download MalwareBytes.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20850 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the download is complete, please close all programs and open windows on your MAC. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes Anti Malware will run and display the main window.
4. Further, press the “Scan” button to search for SampleConsole adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your MAC and the speed of your computer. When a threat is detected, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.
5. After the scan is finished, MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will display a list of all items found by the scan.
6. Once you’ve selected what you wish to delete from your MAC OS press the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove SampleConsole from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to remove harmful extensions. This can remove SampleConsole adware and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the 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 SampleConsole 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 SampleConsole adware 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

In order to increase your security and protect your computer against new unwanted advertisements and malicious web sites, you need to run ad-blocking program that stops an access to malicious ads and web sites. Moreover, the program can block the display of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web sites and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

1. Download AdGuard from the link below.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3686 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When the download is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the installation is done, press “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

Finish words

After completing the steps shown above, your MAC should be clean from this adware and other malware. The Firefox, Chrome and Safari will no longer show any unwanted ads when you surf the Internet. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, 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 SampleConsole adware.