How to uninstall UltraWebFormat app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is UltraWebFormat

According to security experts, UltraWebFormat is a PUA (potentially unwanted app) that falls under the category of Adware. The UltraWebFormat adware may cause all kind of problems within web browsers. It can cause unwanted redirects, unclosable windows or inline text links with ads you do not want. These ads are used to promote sales or web-traffic to malicious websites or publisher in order to make profit. So, if you experience unwanted advertising and unclosable windows in your browser, it is advised to check the computer for adware or PUAs.

Another reason why you need to get rid of the UltraWebFormat adware is its online data-tracking activity. It can be used to gather your browsing history and privacy data, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, your sensitive info can be transferred third party companies.

If you would like to get rid of UltraWebFormat and clean your browser of annoying ads and are unable to do so, you can follow the steps below to search for and remove adware and any other malicious software for free.

How does UltraWebFormat get on your MAC

The majority of adware gets on Mac computers together with freeware or even paid software that Web users can easily download online. The setup files of such apps, most often, clearly indicate that they will install bundled apps. The option is given to users to stop the installation of any additional software. So, in order to avoid the installation of any adware software: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation mode and uncheck all third-party software in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	UltraWebFormat, UltraWebFormat 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Adware/Adload!OSX, MacOS.Agent-MT, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, ApplicUnwnt, Adware.MAC.Generic, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, torrent downloads, fake update tools and shady pop up advertisements
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web-pages, pop ups and newtabs are loaded without your request, unexpected application installed without your say-so, new icons in your web browser, your web browser start page has replaced and you are unable to change it back, low ping but slow Internet.
Removal	UltraWebFormat removal guide

How to remove UltraWebFormat from Mac computer

Without a doubt, the adware software is harmful to your MAC OS. So you need to quickly and completely delete UltraWebFormat . To get rid of this adware software, you can use the manual removal guide which are given below or free malware removal tool like MalwareBytes AntiMalware (it is free). We recommend you use automatic removal way that will allow you to remove UltraWebFormat easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in Apple Mac or in the case where adware is not uninstalled automatically. Some of the steps below will require you to close this webpage. So, please read the few simple steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove UltraWebFormat, perform the following steps:

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

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

UltraWebFormat 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 Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to UltraWebFormat.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Check the list of installed software

The next step to remove adware, browser hijackers and PUPs is to delete unknown and suspicious apps. 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 internet browser redirects and unwanted ads.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed applications and remove all questionable and unknown software.

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

Remove UltraWebFormat related files and folders

Now you need to try to find UltraWebFormat 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.

UltraWebFormat creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.UltraWebFormat.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.UltraWebFormat.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.UltraWebFormat.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.UltraWebFormat.service.app

Some files created by UltraWebFormat are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 UltraWebFormat 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: com.net-preferences.plist, com.UltraWebFormat.service.plist, installapp.plist, macsearch.plist, search.plist, com.machelper.plist and com.google.defaultsearch.plist, . Most often, adware software, browser hijackers and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Check for UltraWebFormat 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.UltraWebFormat.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual UltraWebFormat removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware may be not completely removed. We suggest that run MalwareBytes Anti Malware to scan the Mac device. Moreover, this application will help you to delete toolbars, adware software, PUPs and browser hijackers that your computer can be affected too.

Download MalwareBytes Free on your MAC from the link below.

Once the downloading process is finished, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button for scanning your MAC for the UltraWebFormat 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 MAC OS. During the scan MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will scan for threats present on your MAC. When you are ready, click the “Quarantine” button.

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

Remove UltraWebFormat from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still seeing UltraWebFormat that won’t go away, you might have malicious extensions installed on your web-browser. Check your web-browser for unwanted plugins using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Google Chrome. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of UltraWebFormat 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 UltraWebFormat 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

It’s important to use adblocker software such as AdGuard to protect your MAC from malicious web-pages. Most security experts says that it is okay to stop advertisements. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can to stop misleading and other unwanted web-sites.

1. AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3451 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. After downloading is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the install is complete, click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which 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 run your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying ads, block harmful and misleading web sites.

Finish words

Now your MAC system should be clean of the UltraWebFormat adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop ups and unwanted harmful web sites) and MalwareBytes AntiMalware (to periodically scan your machine for new adwares and other malware).

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of UltraWebFormat ads from the Safari, Firefox and Chrome, then ask for help here here.