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

What is ConnectionOptimizer

ConnectionOptimizer is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware can make big problem to your MAC. The ConnectionOptimizer adware can display a huge number of unwanted ads in form of pop-up windows, coupons, promos, push notifications or even fake alerts on the browser screen. It can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.

Another reason why you need to remove ConnectionOptimizer is its online data-tracking activity. It can have spyware and keyloggers built into itself leading to greater damage to your MAC and possible invasion of your confidential information.

If you are unfortunate have adware, then follow the step-by-step guide below. This guide will help you to remove ConnectionOptimizer and get rid of unwanted ads from your internet browser.

How does ConnectionOptimizer get on your machine

Adware can be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but most often, adware comes as a part of some freeware. Many authors of free programs include third-party software in their setup file. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the setup of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only Manual, Custom or Advanced setup type, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free applications.

Threat Summary

Name	ConnectionOptimizer
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, Adware.MAC.Generic, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli and Adware/Adload!OSX
Distribution	Freeware installers, dubious pop-up advertisements, torrent downloads and fake updaters
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your browser is redirected to another webpage, pop-ups and newtab pages are loaded without your request, there is an unwanted program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, unexpected web browser addons or toolbars keep coming back, your internet browser homepage has replaced without your permission, low ping but slow Internet.
Removal	ConnectionOptimizer removal guide

How to Remove ConnectionOptimizer (removal steps)

The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will allow you easily to free your MAC of ConnectionOptimizer adware. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal way. If you are familiar with the MAC system then use manual removal, otherwise use the free anti-malware tool designed specifically to remove adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Certain of the steps below will require you to exit this web-site. So, please read the step-by-step instructions carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove ConnectionOptimizer, complete the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by ConnectionOptimizer

ConnectionOptimizer 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 ConnectionOptimizer.

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.

Remove ConnectionOptimizer related apps through the Finder

The next step to remove adware, browser hijackers and PUPs is to delete unknown and suspicious applications. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. We recommend you not to skip this step, as it often helps to get rid of web browser redirects and intrusive ads.

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

Remove ConnectionOptimizer related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ConnectionOptimizer 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We recommend using MalwareBytes Free to scan the Mac for PUPs, adware software and browser hijackers. This free utility is an advanced malicious software removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. It’s able to help you remove browser hijackers and other security threats from your Mac for free.

1. Download MalwareBytes from the following link.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20851 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. After downloading is done, please close all applications and open windows on your machine. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes will start and show the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button to find ConnectionOptimizer adware. Depending on your Apple Mac, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.
5. When MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is done scanning your MAC system, you can check all items detected on your Apple Mac.
6. In order to remove all threats, simply click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove ConnectionOptimizer from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still seeing ConnectionOptimizer adware that won’t go away, you might have harmful extensions installed on your web browser. Check your web-browser for unwanted addons using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Chrome window. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of ConnectionOptimizer 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 ConnectionOptimizer 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

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

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

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

Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block harmful and misleading websites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new adware softwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup ads and harmful web-sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party programs.

If you need more help with ConnectionOptimizer adware related issues, go to here.