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

What is WideCluster

WideCluster is a an adware app that targets Mac computers. Adware is type of malicious software developed to inject a into users internet browsing or even desktop experience. The WideCluster adware can display unwanted ads, change your home page, search provider, search results, or even add toolbars to your web-browser. It run in the background when you surf the Web, and can slow down your MAC and affect its performance.

Another reason why you need to delete WideCluster is its online data-tracking activity. The adware can gather and transmit personal info without your permission. It can be used to track information about web-sites visited, web-browser and system information, and your machine IP address.

How does WideCluster get on your MAC system

Adware may be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but most commonly, adware software gets on MAC computers together with certain free software. Many makers of free software include third-party software in their installation package. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation type, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new freeware.

Threat Summary

Name	WideCluster
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware/Adload!OSX, ApplicUnwnt, OSX.Trojan.Gen and Adware.MAC.Generic
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake updaters, torrent downloads and shady pop-up ads
Symptoms	Your browser is redirected to webpages you did not want, undesired advertising links appear on webpages that you are visiting, your machine starts automatically installing unwanted programs, unexpected web browser addons or toolbars keep coming back, your Mac settings are being changed without your request, speed test good but internet slow.
Removal	WideCluster removal guide

How to remove WideCluster from Mac computer

Without a doubt, the WideCluster adware is harmful to your computer. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of it. To get rid of the adware, you can use the manual removal guidance that are given below or free malware removal tools such as MalwareBytes Anti Malware. We suggest you use automatic removal way which will help you to uninstall WideCluster easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in MAC or in the case where adware is not removed automatically. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your web browser or restart your MAC system.

To remove WideCluster, use the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by WideCluster

WideCluster 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 the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to WideCluster.

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 computer, which is normal.

Uninstall WideCluster related applications through the Finder

Some of adware, browser hijackers and PUPs can be removed using the Move to Trash tool that is located in the Finder. So, if you are running any version of Mac OS and you have noticed an unwanted application, then first try to delete it through the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will show a list of all programs installed on your MAC OS. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any suspicious and unknown applications. Right click to suspicious application and select “Move to Trash”. Another solution 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 WideCluster related files and folders

Now you need to try to find WideCluster 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.

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

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

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

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

Check for WideCluster 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 WideCluster 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.machelper.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.WideCluster.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

We recommend using MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). You can download and install MalwareBytes to search for and get rid of WideCluster related software from your Mac computer. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover automatically searches for and deletes all security threats present on the MAC OS.

MalwareBytes Free can be downloaded from the following link.

After the download 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 installation is done, you’ll see window like below.

Now click the “Scan” button to scan for WideCluster . A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your MAC system and the speed of your machine. While the MalwareBytes Free utility is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.

When that process is finished, MalwareBytes Free will show a list of detected items. When you’re ready, press “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now begin to remove WideCluster adware.

Remove WideCluster from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted extensions is a easy way to remove WideCluster adware software and restore browser’s settings which have been modified by adware.

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

By installing an adblocker program such as AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious webpages, stop autoplaying video ads and remove a ton of distracting and intrusive ads on web sites.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

When the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you run your MAC OS, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted popup ads, block harmful and misleading webpages.

Finish words

Once you have removed the adware using this step-by-step tutorial, Google Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox will no longer display any unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.