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

What is AthenaResults

AthenaResults is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware is a form of software developed in order to show third-party advertisements to the user without asking permission. Adware takes control of browsers and redirects them to online advertisements and scam sites and every time users surf the Internet. Adware software can end up on Mac computers in various methods. In many cases is when users download free programs and forget to uncheck the box for the third-party software installation.

Does AthenaResults steal your privacy data? It can gather your Web surfing activity by saving URLs visited, IP addresses, web-browser version and type, cookie information, Internet Service Provider (ISP) and websites visited. Such kind of behavior can lead to serious security problems or user data theft. This is another reason why the AthenaResults adware should be deleted sooner.

Below we are discussing the ways which are very useful in uninstalling adware software. The guidance will also assist you to get rid of AthenaResults from your MAC for free.

How does AthenaResults get on your machine

Most of unwanted ads and pop-ups come from web browser toolbars and/or addons, BHOs (browser helper objects) and bundled applications. Most commonly, these items claim itself as software which improve your experience on the World Wide Web by providing a fast and interactive home page or a search engine that does not track you. Remember, how to avoid the unwanted applications. Be cautious, run only reputable applications which download from reputable sources. NEVER install any unknown and questionable software.

Threat Summary

Name	AthenaResults
Type	adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	OSX.Trojan.Gen, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware.MAC.Generic, Adware/Adload!OSX, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt and Osx.Adware.Cimpli
Distribution	Free software installers, torrent downloads, malicious pop-up ads and fake update tools
Symptoms	Your browser is redirected to websites you did not want, you experience a huge number of of unwanted ads, your computer starts automatically installing unexpected applications, new icons in your web browser, your browser homepage has changed without your permission, slow browsing Internet.
Removal	AthenaResults removal guide

How to remove AthenaResults adware

In the steps below we will have a look at the adware and how to remove AthenaResults ads from Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome web-browsers for Mac OS, natively or by using a few free removal utilities. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your web-browser or restart your Apple Mac.

To remove AthenaResults, perform the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by AthenaResults

AthenaResults 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 AthenaResults.

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.

Delete AthenaResults associated software by using the Finder

Try to identify and uninstall the program that causes the appearance of annoying advertisements or web browser redirect, using the Applications list which is located in the Finder.

Make sure you have closed all browsers and other applications. Next, remove any unrequested and suspicious applications from Apple Mac using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of software installed on your computer. Most probably, one of them is the AthenaResults adware software that causes multiple unwanted advertisements and popups. Select the dubious program or the application that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.

Drag the suspicious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove AthenaResults related files and folders

Now you need to try to find AthenaResults 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.

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

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

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

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

Check for AthenaResults 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 AthenaResults 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.installapp.system.plist, com.search.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist and com.AthenaResults.system.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having issues with the AthenaResults removal or just wish to check your Mac occasionally for adware and other malware, then download MalwareBytes Free. It is free for home use, and identifies and removes various unwanted apps that attacks your MAC or degrades machine performance. MalwareBytes Free can get rid of browser hijackers, adware software, PUPs and toolbars as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

1. Visit the following page to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM).
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20961 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When downloading is done, close all apps and windows on your MAC system. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Press the “Scan” button for checking your MAC OS for the AthenaResults adware software that causes annoying pop-up advertisements.
4. After the scanning is finished, MalwareBytes Free will open a screen which contains a list of malware that has been found. Once you’ve selected what you wish to remove from your MAC system press “Quarantine”.

Remove AthenaResults from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying AthenaResults adware or other symptoms of adware in your browser is a good reason to locate and remove malicious extensions. This is an easy way to restore internet browsers settings and not lose any important information.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove AthenaResults 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 AthenaResults 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

One of the worst things is the fact that you cannot stop all malicious web-sites using only built-in MS Windows capabilities. However, there is a application out that you can use to stop unwanted internet browser redirects, ads and pop-ups in any modern web browsers including Google Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox. It’s named Adguard and it works very well.

Download AdGuard from the link below.

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

Each time, when you run your MAC OS, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

Finish words

After completing the steps above, your MAC system should be free from AthenaResults adware that causes lots of annoying ads and other malware. Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome will no longer display any unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step guidance does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help here.