How to uninstall DigitalEngine app/extension from Mac

What is DigitalEngine

DigitalEngine is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that belongs to the Adware category . Adware is an advertising malicious software. It is created just to display numerous pop ups and/or annoying adverts using intrusive and at times dangerous ways. Adware can also include other types of malicious software. It can steal personal information from the machine and pass it on to third parties. Adware has also been the basis for hacking to gain access to the Apple Mac.

Does adware steal your confidential information? Adware be able to gather and transmit user info without your knowledge. Adware software can track information about web-pages visited, internet browser and system information, and your MAC OS IP address.

Below we are discussing the solutions which are very useful in uninstalling adware software. The tutorial will also allow you to remove DigitalEngine from your Mac for free.

How does DigitalEngine get on your MAC

Adware may be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but most commonly, adware software is bundled with certain free applications. Many developers of freeware include third-party programs in their installation package. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any adware software: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only Manual, Custom or Advanced install option, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free software.

Threat Summary

Name	DigitalEngine, DigitalEngine 1.0 app
Type	adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), popup ads, popups, pop-up virus
Symptoms	web browser pop ups appear and recommend fake updates and other unwanted software your browser is redirected to web sites you did not want unexpected programs installed without your say-so new toolbars suddenly installed on your web-browser your browser start page has replaced and you are unable to modify it back slow browsing Internet your web browser crashes
Removal	DigitalEngine removal guide

How to remove DigitalEngine from Mac device

There exist several free adware software removal tools. Also it is possible to delete DigitalEngine manually. But we suggest to combine all these methods below into the one removal algorithm. Follow the steps of the instructions. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your internet browser or restart your MAC.

To remove DigitalEngine, execute the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by DigitalEngine

DigitalEngine 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 DigitalEngine.

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.

Remove DigitalEngine related software through the Finder

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

Make sure you have closed all web browsers and other software. Next, delete any unwanted and suspicious programs from computer using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of apps installed on your MAC OS. Most likely, one of them is the DigitalEngine adware software. Select the questionable application or the application that name is not familiar to you and remove it.

Drag the suspicious application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove DigitalEngine related files and folders

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

Check for DigitalEngine 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 DigitalEngine 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 DigitalEngine 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.DigitalEngine.plist, com.search.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.machelper.plist and com.installapp.plist. In most cases, PUPs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can remove DigitalEngine associated files automatically through the use of MalwareBytes Free. We suggest this free malicious software removal utility because it may easily get rid of toolbars, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Download MalwareBytes from the following link.

When downloading is done, close all windows on your MAC OS. Further, open the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Free will automatically run and you can see its main window as displayed on the image below.

Next, press the “Scan Now” button . MalwareBytes AntiMalware program will scan through the whole machine for the DigitalEngine adware. Depending on your Apple Mac, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the tool is scanning, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.

After MalwareBytes has completed scanning your MAC system, it will open the Scan Results. Next, you need to click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will get rid of DigitalEngine adware.

Remove DigitalEngine from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying DigitalEngine adware or other symptoms of adware software in your internet browser is a good reason to locate and delete harmful extensions. This is an easy way to restore internet browsers settings and not lose any important information.

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 DigitalEngine 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 DigitalEngine 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

Use ad-blocking application like AdGuard in order to stop advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your Apple Mac performance and impact your machine security. Surf the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!

Visit the page linked below to download AdGuard.

Once the download is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you start your MAC OS, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted popups, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

Finish words

After completing the few simple steps outlined above, your MAC should be clean from this adware software and other malware. The Safari, Chrome and Mozilla Firefox will no longer show unwanted ads when you surf the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, if the guidance 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 DigitalEngine adware.