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

What is WireNavigate

WireNavigate is an adware application that targets Apple computers. Adware also known as ‘adware software’ is harmful software which shows lots of unwanted ads in form of pop-ups, discount offers, promos or even fake alerts on the internet browser. Adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.

Even worse, adware can monetize its functionality by gathering privacy information from your surfing sessions. This user data, subsequently, can be easily sold to third party companies. This puts your sensitive information at a security risk.

Adware is usually written in ways common to malware, spyware and browser hijackers. In order to get rid of WireNavigate adware follow the steps below or use free adware removal tools.

How does WireNavigate get on your machine

Adware usually gets onto Mac computers by being attached to free applications that downloaded from the Net. Which means that you need to be proactive and carefully read the Terms of use and the License agreement properly. For the most part, adware and PUPs will be clearly described, so take the time to carefully read all the information about the software that you downloaded and want to install on your computer.

Threat Summary

Name	WireNavigate
Type	adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Adware.MAC.Generic, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, Adware/Adload!OSX, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake software updaters, torrent downloads and malicious popup advertisements
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web-pages, unwanted advertising links appear on web sites that you are visiting, there is an unexpected program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, unexpected browser plugins or toolbars keep coming back, your web browser search provider has replaced without your permission, slow Internet or slow browsing.
Removal	WireNavigate removal guide

How to Remove WireNavigate (removal tutorial)

Fortunately, we have an effective way that will help you manually or/and automatically get rid of WireNavigate ads from your internet browser and bring your web browser settings, including newtab page, startpage and search provider, back to normal. Below you’ll find a removal instructions with all the steps you may need to successfully remove adware and its components. Certain 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 WireNavigate, execute the steps below:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Remove WireNavigate related software through the Finder
3. Remove WireNavigate related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove WireNavigate from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

WireNavigate 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 related to WireNavigate.

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.

Remove WireNavigate related software through the Finder

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

Open Finder and click “Applications” such as the one below.

You will see a list of software installed on your MAC system. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the application you installed last. Most probably, it is the WireNavigate adware. If you’re in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

After the application which you need to remove is found, simply right click on its name, and select “Move to Trash”.

Don’t forget, choose Finder, then “Empty Trash”.

Remove WireNavigate related files and folders

Now you need to try to find WireNavigate 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual WireNavigate removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware can be not completely removed. We recommend that use MalwareBytes AntiMalware to scan the Mac. Moreover, this program will help you to remove toolbars, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers that your machine can be affected too.

Click the following link to download the latest version of MalwareBytes for Mac OS.

When the download is complete, close all apps and windows on your MAC. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.

Once installation is done, you’ll see window as on the image below.

Now click the “Scan” button for checking your MAC OS for the WireNavigate adware. This process can take some time, so please be patient. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

Once the scan is done, MalwareBytes will show a scan report. Review the report and then press “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now start to remove WireNavigate .

Remove WireNavigate from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted addons is a simple way to get rid of WireNavigate and revert back web 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. 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 WireNavigate adware 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 WireNavigate 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

If you browse the World Wide Web, you can’t avoid malvertising. But you can protect your web browser against it. Download and run an ad blocking application. AdGuard is an ad-blocker that can filter out a ton of of the malicious advertising, blocking dynamic scripts from loading harmful content.

1. Click the following link to download AdGuard.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3772 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once the downloading process is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the setup is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help 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 machine, AdGuard will run automatically and stop annoying ads, block malicious and misleading websites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes AntiMalware (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adware and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block annoying advertisements and malicious webpages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party programs.

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