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

What is ActiveHandler

ActiveHandler is an application that targets Apple computers. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malware’. It’s a harmful app which shows unwanted ads to computer users. Some examples include popup advertisements, different offers and deals, unclosable windows, push notifications and even fake virus alerts. Adware software is often harmless, but sometimes adware can also be spyware. Spyware can seek out users data stored on the system, gather this information and use it to steal users identity.

Adware can be installed onto MAC computers via infected web pages, when users open email attachments, anytime they download and install free applications. Below we are discussing the ways which are very useful in removing adware. The guide will also help you to remove ActiveHandler from your Mac for free.

Another reason why you need to remove ActiveHandler is its online data-tracking activity. It can analyze the location and which Internet web sites you visit, and then present advertisements to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Its developers can gather and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.

How does ActiveHandler get on your computer

Adware software usually comes together with freeware that downloaded from the Web. 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 software 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 MAC.

Threat Summary

Name	ActiveHandler, “ActiveHandler 1.0”
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Osx.Adware.Cimpli, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware/Adload!OSX, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and Adware.MAC.Generic
Distribution	Freeware installers, dubious pop-up ads, torrent downloads and fake software updaters
Symptoms	Your internet browser is redirected to web-sites you did not want, you experience a large amount of of unexpected pop up windows, unexpected program installed without your knowledge, an unwanted addon appears in your internet browser, unwanted changes in your web browser such as using a new default search provider, slow Internet or slow browsing.
Removal	ActiveHandler removal guide

How to remove ActiveHandler adware

We can help you remove ActiveHandler from your browsers, without the need to take your Apple Mac to a professional. Simply follow the removal tutorial below if you currently have the intrusive adware on your MAC system and want to remove it. If you have any difficulty while trying to get rid of the adware, feel free to ask for our help in the comment section below. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to exit your web-browser or reboot your MAC.

To remove ActiveHandler, use the steps below:

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

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

ActiveHandler 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 ActiveHandler.

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 Apple computer, which is normal.

Delete ActiveHandler associated software by using the Finder

Go to the Finder and remove questionable applications, all programs you don’t remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to software you have recently installed. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the Internet.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will display a list of all apps installed on your MAC system. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any dubious and unknown applications. Right click to questionable program and select “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove ActiveHandler related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ActiveHandler 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We advise using MalwareBytes. You can download and install MalwareBytes AntiMalware to scan for and get rid of ActiveHandler related applications from your Mac. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically identifies and deletes all security threats present on the MAC system.

Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware by clicking on the link below.

When downloading is done, close all programs and windows on your machine. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.

Once setup is complete, you will see window as shown on the image below.

Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the ActiveHandler adware. Depending on your MAC system, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour.

Once the scan is complete, the results are displayed in the scan report. Next, you need to click “Quarantine” button.

The Malwarebytes will now start to get rid of ActiveHandler .

Remove ActiveHandler from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to get rid of harmful addons. This can delete ActiveHandler adware software and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware software infection.

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 remove ActiveHandler 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 ActiveHandler 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

Run ad-blocking program like AdGuard in order to block ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons which affect your MAC OS performance and impact your MAC security. Browse the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!

1. Please go to the link below to download AdGuard.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. Once the downloading process is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. When the setup is done, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist 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 run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will run automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block malicious and misleading websites.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes AntiMalware (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adware and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up advertisements and harmful web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.

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