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

What is PlatformCache

According to security researchers, PlatformCache is an Adware application that targets Mac computers. Adware is a form of malicious software that displays unwanted advertisements on the computer. Some of these advertisements are scams or fake ads created to trick users. Even the harmless ads can become really irritating. Adware can be installed accidentally and without users knowing about it, when they open email attachments or install freeware.

Does PlatformCache steal your privacy information? It is able to gather personal data such as what webpages you are opening, what you are looking for the Web and so on. This privacy information, later, may be transferred to third parties.

How does PlatformCache get on your Apple Mac

Adware mostly comes on MAC computers with free apps. Most commonly, it comes without the user’s knowledge. Therefore, many users aren’t even aware that their machine has been hijacked with adware software. Please follow the easy rules in order to protect your MAC from adware software: don’t install any suspicious software, read the user agreement and choose only the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation mode, do not rush to click the Next button. Also, always try to find a review of the installed software on the Internet. Be careful and attentive!

Threat Summary

Name	PlatformCache
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware.MAC.Generic, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Adware/Adload!OSX, ApplicUnwnt and Program:MacOS/Vigram.A
Distribution	Free software installers, fake update tools, suspicious pop-up advertisements and torrent downloads
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your web browser is redirected to another web page, advertising links appear in places they shouldn’t be, unexpected program installed without your knowledge, an unexpected plugin appears in your web browser, your web browser startpage has replaced and you are unable to modify it back, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	PlatformCache removal guide

How to remove PlatformCache from Mac

The answer is right here on this web-page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will allow you easily to free your Mac of PlatformCache . Moreover, you may select manual or automatic removal way. If you’re familiar with the computer then use manual removal, otherwise run the free anti-malware tool developed specifically to remove adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Some of the steps below will require you to exit this web page. So, please read the few simple steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove PlatformCache, perform the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by PlatformCache

PlatformCache 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 PlatformCache.

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, which is normal.

Remove PlatformCache related programs through the Finder

In order to delete PlatformCache you need to do is to uninstall unknown and questionable programs from your machine using the Finder. When removing browser hijackers, adware software and potentially unwanted programs, check the list of installed software and try to find suspicious programs and delete them all. Pay special attention to recently installed applications, as it is most likely that PlatformCache сame along with it.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will open a list of all apps installed on the MAC.
4. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall dubious and unknown programs. 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 PlatformCache related files and folders

Now you need to try to find PlatformCache 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can remove PlatformCache associated files automatically through the use of MalwareBytes. We recommend this free malicious software removal utility because it can easily remove toolbars, browser hijackers, adware and PUPs with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

1. Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) on your machine by clicking on the link below.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20851 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the downloading process is done, close all programs and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Click the “Scan” button to begin scanning your Apple Mac for the PlatformCache . Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
4. When MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is complete scanning your Apple Mac, you will be displayed the list of all found threats on your machine. All found items will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Quarantine”.

Remove PlatformCache from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted add-ons is a simple way to remove PlatformCache adware and return browser’s settings that have been changed by adware.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Google Chrome. 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 PlatformCache adware software 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 PlatformCache 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

We suggest to install an ad blocking program. The adblocker utility like AdGuard is a application that basically removes advertising from the World Wide Web and blocks access to malicious web sites. Moreover, security experts says that using ad blocker applications is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Internet.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

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

Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive ads, block harmful and misleading web sites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adware and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block intrusive pop-ups and malicious web-sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.

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