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

What is ConnectedPlatform

ConnectedPlatform is an adware application that targets Mac computers. Adware is a type of malicious software. When adware hijacks your MAC, it might carry out various malicious tasks. ConnectedPlatform can display constant popups and/or unwanted deals, redirect your web-browser to unsafe web sites, slow down your MAC OS; change web-browser settings, seek out your confidential data stored on the computer, collect this information and use it to steal your identity.

Another reason why you need to remove the ConnectedPlatform adware is its online data-tracking activity. It can analyze the location and which Internet web sites you visit, and then present advertisements to the types of content, goods or services featured there. ConnectedPlatform makers can collect and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.

How does ConnectedPlatform get on your MAC

The majority of adware software gets on MAC computers together with free applications or even paid programs which users can easily download online. The installation packages of such applications, in many cases, clearly indicate that they will install bundled apps. The option is given to users to block the installation of any third-party programs. So, in order to avoid the installation of any adware: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation mode and reject all additional applications in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	ConnectedPlatform, ConnectedPlatform 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	OSX.Trojan.Gen, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware.MAC.Generic, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and Adware/Adload!OSX
Distribution	Free software installers, torrent downloads, fake updaters and dubious pop up advertisements
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your internet browser is redirected to another web page, adverts appear in places they shouldn’t be, unwanted program installed without your consent, unwanted browser toolbars, unexpected changes in your web browser like using a new default search engine, low ping but slow Internet.
Removal	ConnectedPlatform removal guide

How to Remove ConnectedPlatform adware (removal steps)

Most often adware software requires more than a simple uninstall with the help of the Finder in order to be fully uninstalled. For that reason, our team created several removal solutions which we have combined in a detailed guidance. Therefore, if you’ve the ConnectedPlatform app on your computer and are currently trying to have it deleted then feel free to follow the steps below in order to resolve your problem. Certain of the steps will require you to restart your MAC system or close this web-site. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove ConnectedPlatform, follow the steps below:

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

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

ConnectedPlatform 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 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. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to ConnectedPlatform.

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

Check the list of installed programs

Check the list of installed programs and remove all unknown or questionable applications. This is an important step, it so often happens that browser hijackers, PUPs and adware are built into free programs, so by removing these programs you can get rid of annoying ads and internet browser redirects.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will show a list of all programs installed on the computer.
4. Scroll through the all list, and delete questionable and unknown software. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
5. Drag the questionable program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove ConnectedPlatform related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ConnectedPlatform 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.

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

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

Some files created by ConnectedPlatform 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 ConnectedPlatform 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.machelper.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.net-preferences.plist, installapp.plist, macsearch.plist, com.ConnectedPlatform.service.plist and search.plist. Most often, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for ConnectedPlatform 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.ConnectedPlatform.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can delete ConnectedPlatform associated files automatically through the use of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. We suggest this free malicious software removal tool because it may easily delete browser hijackers, toolbars, adware and potentially unwanted programs with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Download MalwareBytes Free on your MAC OS by clicking on the link below.

When downloading is done, close all applications and windows on your MAC OS. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.

Once setup is done, you’ll see window as shown on the screen below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the ConnectedPlatform . While the MalwareBytes Free tool is checking, you may see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.

After MalwareBytes has completed scanning, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will display a list of detected items. Once you have selected what you want to remove from your Apple Mac click “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now get rid of ConnectedPlatform and move the selected items to the Quarantine.

Remove ConnectedPlatform from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying ConnectedPlatform adware software or other symptoms of adware in your browser is a good reason to find and get rid of malicious addons. This is an easy method to restore web browsers settings and not lose any important information.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Google Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. When the drop-down menu appears, choose ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of ConnectedPlatform 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 ConnectedPlatform 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

Use ad-blocker program such as AdGuard in order to stop advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your machine performance and impact your MAC system security. Browse the Internet anonymously and stay safe online!

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After downloading is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you launch your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block harmful and misleading web pages.

To sum up

Now your MAC system should be free of the ConnectedPlatform adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted ads and annoying harmful web-pages) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC for new adwares and other malicious software).

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