How to remove ToolFilter (Mac)

What is ToolFilter

ToolFilter is a type of adware that specifically targets Mac computers. Adware, short for advertising-supported software, is designed to display unwanted advertisements on your device, often in the form of pop-ups, banners, or redirects to dubious websites. ToolFilter is part of the AdLoad malware family, which is known for its intrusive advertising campaigns and potential to compromise user privacy and system performance. Once ToolFilter is installed on a Mac, it exhibits several symptoms that can significantly affect the user experience. Users may notice frequent and intrusive pop-up ads appearing while browsing the internet. Clicking on links or performing searches may redirect the user to dubious websites. The Mac may become noticeably slower due to the adware consuming system resources. Additionally, new, unfamiliar toolbars or browser extensions may appear without the user’s consent. ToolFilter adware poses several risks to users. It often tracks browsing habits and collects sensitive information, which can be sold to third parties or used for malicious purposes. Adware can also serve as a gateway for more severe malware infections, including spyware and trojans. Furthermore, users may be tricked into purchasing unnecessary software or services, leading to financial losses.

How ToolFilter infects Mac computers

ToolFilter can infiltrate Mac systems through several methods. One common method is through phishing emails, which contain malicious links or attachments that, when clicked or opened, install the adware on the user’s device. Another method is through malicious websites; visiting compromised or deceptive websites can lead to automatic downloads of the adware. These sites often use fake alerts or prompts to trick users into downloading the malware. Additionally, ToolFilter can be bundled with legitimate software downloads, meaning users may unknowingly install the adware when they download and install software from untrustworthy sources. Malicious advertising, also known as malvertising, is another method where ad networks distribute malicious ads that, when clicked, download and install the adware on the user’s system.

1. Download ToolFilter Removal Tool
2. Remove ToolFilter from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall ToolFilter from Applications
4. Remove ToolFilter from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove ToolFilter files and folders
7. Block ToolFilter ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like ToolFilter

Remove ToolFilter manually for free

Note: ToolFilter sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “ToolFilter” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: ToolFilter won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose ToolFilter in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full ToolFilter removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of ToolFilter installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove ToolFilter from Applications

Remove ToolFilter from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. ToolFilter might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall ToolFilter or ToolFilter Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag ToolFilter from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall ToolFilter

If you can’t uninstall ToolFilter using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of ToolFilter. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag ToolFilter from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with ToolFilter.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove ToolFilter add-on from your browsers

Removing ToolFilter from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the ToolFilter extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find ToolFilter extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find ToolFilter extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose ToolFilter extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish ToolFilter removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of ToolFilter


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ToolFilter.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ToolFilter.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ToolFilter.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ToolFilter.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote ToolFilter

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting ToolFilter in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ToolFilter

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac