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

What is ClassicPreferences

ClassicPreferences is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware is a form of malicious software that’s designed to display various pop-ups and/or annoying advertisements using intrusive and at times dangerous ways. Adware can also include other forms of malicious software. It can steal privacy information from the machine and pass it on to third parties. Adware has also been the basis for hacking to gain access to the machine.

Another reason why you need to remove ClassicPreferences is its online data-tracking activity. It can be used to gather and transmit sensitive info without your knowledge. The ClassicPreferences app can track information about webpages visited, web browser and system information, and your MAC IP address.

How does ClassicPreferences get on your MAC

Adware may be spread with the help of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but most often, adware software gets onto MAC computers by being attached to certain freeware. Many developers of free programs include additional apps in their installer. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation mode, uncheck all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new freeware.

Threat Summary

Name	ClassicPreferences
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, Adware/Adload!OSX, ApplicUnwnt, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A and MacOS.Agent-MT
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake update tools, torrent downloads and malicious pop up advertisements
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your browser is redirected to another webpage, advertising banners appear on web sites that you are visiting, new entries appear in your Applications folder, unwanted internet browser toolbars, your internet browser homepage has modified and you are unable to change it back, fast Internet but slow browsing speeds.
Removal	ClassicPreferences removal guide

How to Remove ClassicPreferences adware (removal tutorial)

There are a simple manual steps below that will assist you to remove ClassicPreferences adware from your Mac machine. The most effective method to remove this adware is to perform the manual removal tutorial and then run MalwareBytes automatic utility (it is free). The manual solution will help to weaken this adware software and these malicious software removal utilities will completely remove ClassicPreferences adware software and return the Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome settings to default.

To remove ClassicPreferences, follow the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by ClassicPreferences

ClassicPreferences 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 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 computer. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with ClassicPreferences.

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

Check the list of installed applications

One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware software is to check your Mac device installed programs screen and look for unwanted and suspicious apps. If there are any applications you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should delete them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to run malicious software removal tool such as MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will show a list of all programs installed on your MAC OS. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown apps. Right click to dubious application and select “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove ClassicPreferences related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ClassicPreferences 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We advise using MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to scan the Mac for PUPs, browser hijackers and adware. This free utility is an advanced malicious software removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It is able to help you get rid of ransomware and other security threats from your Mac for free.

1. Click the link below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes AntiMalware for Mac OS.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20850 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the download is complete, please close all apps and open windows on your machine. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes will open and open the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button to start checking your MAC OS for the ClassicPreferences adware. Depending on your Apple Mac, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour.
5. After MalwareBytes Free has finished scanning, the results are displayed in the scan report.
6. Next, you need to press the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove ClassicPreferences from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘ClassicPreferences ‘ removal problem, then remove unwanted extensions can help you. In the steps below we’ll show you the way to remove harmful addons without reinstall. This will also help to get rid of ClassicPreferences ads from your browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. 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 delete ClassicPreferences 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 ClassicPreferences 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

To put it simply, you need to use an ad blocking tool (AdGuard, for example). It’ll block and protect you from malicious web sites, unwanted advertisements and popups. To be able to do that, the adblocker program uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious webpage, an advertising content, a banner and others. The ad-blocker application automatically uses these filters, depending on the web sites you’re visiting.

Click the link below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac.

Once downloading is finished, 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 guide. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your MAC system, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

Once you’ve complete the steps outlined above, your MAC should be clean from this adware and other malicious software. The Firefox, Safari and Chrome will no longer display the ClassicPreferences ads when you surf the Net. Unfortunately, if the instructions 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 adware software.