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

What is NetConnection

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

Does adware software steal your confidential data? The NetConnection app can be used to collect a wide variety of confidential info about you to get profit. The adware can analyze your surfing, and gain access to your sensitive info and, afterwards, can sell it to third parties. Thus, there are more than enough reasons to delete adware software from your Mac computer.

How does NetConnection get on your MAC OS

Adware software usually spreads bundled with free software. So, when you installing free applications, carefully read the disclaimers, choose the Custom or Advanced install mode to watch for third-party applications that are being installed, because some of the apps are PUPs and adware.

Threat Summary

Name	NetConnection, “Net Connection”, “NetConnection 1.0”
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Adware.MAC.Generic, ApplicUnwnt, OSX.Trojan.Gen, MacOS.Agent-MT, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware/Adload!OSX, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A and Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload
Distribution	Free software installers, torrent downloads, misleading popup advertisements and fake update tools
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web-pages, pop ups and newtabs are loaded without your request, there is an unexpected program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, an unwanted plugin appears in your web-browser, your browser settings are being changed without your request, slow Internet or slow browsing.
Removal	NetConnection removal guide

How to remove NetConnection adware

In most cases adware requires more than a simple uninstall with the help of the Finder in order to be fully uninstalled. For that reason, our team created several removal methods that we have summarized in a detailed tutorial. Therefore, if you have the NetConnection adware on your MAC computer and are currently trying to have it deleted then feel free to follow the step-by-step tutorial below in order to resolve your problem. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your internet browser or restart your MAC.

To remove NetConnection, complete the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by NetConnection

NetConnection 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 NetConnection.

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 NetConnection related programs through the Finder

In order to get rid of browser hijackers, adware software and PUPs, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed software. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are browser hijackers, adware and PUPs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a applications that you do not use, then removing them off will increase your Apple Mac start up time and speed dramatically.

Open Finder and click “Applications” like the one below.

You will see a list of apps installed on your Apple Mac. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the program you installed last. Most likely, it’s the NetConnection adware software. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

After the program which you need to remove is found, simply right press on its name, and choose “Move to Trash”.

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

Remove NetConnection related files and folders

Now you need to try to find NetConnection 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can delete NetConnection associated files automatically with a help of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. We recommend this free malware removal utility because it can easily delete PUPs, toolbars, browser hijackers and adware software with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes AntiMalware for Mac OS.

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

Once install is finished, you’ll see window as shown below.

Now press the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Anti-Malware program will scan through the whole Apple Mac for the NetConnection adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your MAC and the speed of your MAC. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.

After that process is done, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will show a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been detected. Review the scan results and then click “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now delete NetConnection adware and move the selected threats to the Quarantine.

Remove NetConnection from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted extensions is a easy way to get rid of NetConnection adware and return web-browser’s settings which have been modified by adware software.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Chrome menu. 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 NetConnection 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 NetConnection 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

Use adblocker application like AdGuard in order to block advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your MAC system performance and impact your MAC security. Surf the Net anonymously and stay safe online!

Download AdGuard on your MAC OS by clicking on the following link.

After downloading is finished, 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 guide. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guide that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying popups, block malicious and misleading websites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-ups and annoying harmful web-sites) and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijackers, malicious software and adware software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove NetConnection adware from your web browser, then ask for help here.