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

What is AddCloud

AddCloud is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malware’. It is a form of malicious software that serves unwanted ads to computer users. Some examples include pop up ads, push notifications or unclosable windows. Adware can be installed onto your Mac via infected websites, when you open email attachments, anytime you download and install free applications.

The worst is, the AddCloud adware can be used to collect lots of marketing-type data about you (your ip address, what is a web-site you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Internet, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.

How does AddCloud get on your MAC

The adware was probably installed on your MAC when you installed some free apps such as Email checker, PDF creator, video codec, etc. Because more often than not, adware can be bundled with the installation files of Softonic, Cnet, Soft32, Brothersoft or other similar software download web sites. Thus, you must be very careful when running any files downloaded from the Internet! Always read the User Agreement, Software License and Terms of Use carefully. In the installation wizard, you should select the Advanced, Custom or Manual installation option to specify which components and bundled software to install.

Threat Summary

Name	AddCloud, AddCloud 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware.MAC.Generic, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware/Adload!OSX and Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload
Distribution	Free software installers, shady pop up ads, fake update tools and torrent downloads
Symptoms	The web-page links redirect to a web-pages different from what you expected, undesired advertising links appear on webpages that you are visiting, there is an unwanted application in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, new add-ons suddenly installed on your web-browser, your web-browser settings are being altered without your request, slow Internet or slow browsing.
Removal	AddCloud removal guide

How to Remove AddCloud (removal instructions)

As with deleting adware software, malware or potentially unwanted applications, there are few steps you may do. We suggest trying them all. If you do only one part of the instructions, then it should be use malware removal utility, because it should delete adware and block any further infection. But to completely delete AddCloud adware you will have to at least reset your web browser settings such as new tab, home page and search engine to default state, remove all unwanted and suspicious applications, and scan your Mac using malicious software removal tools. Some of the steps below will require you to close this web site. So, please read the few simple steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove AddCloud, follow the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by AddCloud
2. Uninstall AddCloud associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove AddCloud related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove AddCloud from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove profiles created by AddCloud

AddCloud 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 AddCloud.

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 device, which is normal.

Uninstall AddCloud associated software by using the Finder

It is of primary importance to identify and delete adware software, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers through ‘Applications’ section of your Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

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

Once you’ve found anything dubious that may be the AddCloud or other PUP, then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove AddCloud related files and folders

Now you need to try to find AddCloud 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes Free. You can download and install MalwareBytes to scan for and remove AddCloud associated apps from your Mac. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically identifies and deletes all security threats present on the MAC system.

Visit the following page to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) for Mac.

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

The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main window like below.

Next, press the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the AddCloud adware software. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will locate threats present on your computer.

When MalwareBytes Anti-Malware has finished scanning your machine, you will be displayed the list of all found threats on your MAC. Review the results once the tool has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will get rid of AddCloud adware and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine.

Remove AddCloud from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to delete malicious plugins. This can delete AddCloud adware and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. 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 get rid of AddCloud 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 problems with AddCloud adware software 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 an ad blocking tool such as AdGuard will protect you from harmful advertisements and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web pages. Additionally, ad-blocking software will help you to avoid unwanted popup advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard on your Microsoft Windows Desktop from the link below.

After the downloading process is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying popup advertisements, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

To sum up

Now your computer should be free of the AddCloud adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted ads and unwanted harmful web-pages) and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adware softwares and other malware).

If you are still having problems while trying to delete AddCloud ads from the Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, then ask for help here here.