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

What is OperationPage

OperationPage is an adware application that targets Mac computers. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malicious software’. It’s a form of harmful programs which presents unwanted advertisements to computer users. Some examples include pop-up advertisements, push notifications or unclosable windows. Adware software can be installed onto your MAC system via infected web-pages, when you open email attachments, anytime you download and install freeware.

Another reason why you need to get rid of OperationPage is its online data-tracking activity. It can analyze the location and which Web web sites you visit, and then show ads to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Adware software authors can collect and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.

We recommend to delete OperationPage adware, as soon as you found this issue, as it can redirect your internet browser to web-resources that may load other unwanted software on your MAC.

How does OperationPage get on your MAC

The majority of adware spreads bundled with free programs or even paid applications which Internet users can easily download online. The installers of such programs, most often, clearly indicate that they will install bundled applications. The option is given to users to block the installation of any optional 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 setup method and disable all optional programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	OperationPage
Type	adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware.MAC.Generic, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, Adware/Adload!OSX, Osx.Adware.Cimpli and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake software updaters, torrent downloads and misleading pop up advertisements
Symptoms	Your web browser is redirected to web-pages you did not want, you experience lots of of unwanted ads, there is an unwanted program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, an unwanted add-on appears in your web browser, your Mac settings are being altered without your request, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	OperationPage removal guide

How to remove OperationPage from Mac computer

The following step-by-step guidance will help you to get rid of OperationPage ads Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox. Moreover, the few simple steps below will allow you to delete malware, browser hijackers, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC may be infected. Please do the tutorial step by step. If you need help or have any questions, then ask for our assistance or type a comment below. Some of the steps will require you to restart your computer or close this website. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove OperationPage, execute the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by OperationPage

OperationPage 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 related to OperationPage.

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

Uninstall OperationPage associated software by using the Finder

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

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

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

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

Remove OperationPage related files and folders

Now you need to try to find OperationPage 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual OperationPage removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware software can be not fully removed. We advise that run MalwareBytes to scan the Mac. Moreover, this application will allow you to remove browser hijackers, adware, toolbars and potentially unwanted programs that your machine can be affected too.

Visit the page linked below to download MalwareBytes.

Once the download is complete, close all windows on your computer. Further, launch the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Free will automatically start and you may see its main window similar to the one below.

Next, click the “Scan Now” button to begin checking your machine for the OperationPage adware. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) program is checking, you can see count of objects it has identified as threat.

Once that process is complete, MalwareBytes Free will open a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been found. When you’re ready, press the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Free will start to remove OperationPage .

Remove OperationPage from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying OperationPage adware or other symptoms of adware in your browser is a good reason to find and get rid of harmful addons. This is an easy way to recover web 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, 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 OperationPage adware software by reset Google 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 OperationPage adware 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

The AdGuard is a very good ad blocking program for the Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox, with active user support. It does a great job by removing certain types of annoying advertisements, popunders, pop ups, annoying new tabs, and even full page advertisements and web page overlay layers. Of course, the AdGuard can stop malicious websites automatically or by using a custom filter rule.

1. Visit the following page to download AdGuard.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3772 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When downloading is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the install is finished, click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will allow 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 start your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive ads, block harmful and misleading webpages.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted ads and annoying harmful web pages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your machine for new malicious software, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijackers, harmful programs and adware are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove OperationPage adware from your browser, then ask for help here.