How to remove CacheOptimizer (Mac)

What is CacheOptimizer

CacheOptimizer is a type of software that masquerades as a beneficial tool for Mac users, promising to optimize and clean the system’s cache to enhance performance. However, its true nature is far from helpful. Instead of delivering on its promises, CacheOptimizer falls under the category of adware, a form of malicious software designed to bombard users with unwanted advertisements, redirect web traffic, and potentially compromise user privacy. Once CacheOptimizer adware is installed on a Mac, it initiates a series of intrusive and potentially harmful actions. It displays an excessive amount of advertisements, including banners, pop-ups, and in-text links, across all web browsers. These ads are not only annoying but can also lead to dubious or malicious websites. CacheOptimizer may redirect users to affiliate websites or search engines that generate revenue for the adware creators, often leading to compromised security and privacy. It has the capability to track and collect data on users’ browsing habits, including visited websites, search queries, and potentially sensitive information, which can be sold to third parties without the user’s consent. Additionally, the presence of CacheOptimizer and the constant display of ads can significantly slow down the Mac, leading to a degraded user experience.

How CacheOptimizer infects Mac computers

CacheOptimizer typically finds its way onto Mac systems through deceptive practices. Users might inadvertently download and install it while attempting to acquire legitimate software from third-party websites. These sites often bundle CacheOptimizer with the desired software, installing it silently during the setup process without explicit consent from the user. Another common method of infection involves fake alerts or system warnings that pop up while browsing the internet. These alerts might claim that the Mac is infected with viruses or running out of memory, urging the user to download CacheOptimizer as a solution. Once installed, CacheOptimizer begins its adware activities, significantly detracting from the user experience. Eliminating CacheOptimizer and its effects from a Mac involves navigating to the Applications folder to find and remove CacheOptimizer. Dragging the application to the Trash is often not enough, as residual files may remain. It’s also important to check all installed web browsers for any unfamiliar extensions or plugins related to CacheOptimizer and remove them. To ensure all changes made by the adware are reverted, resetting the browsers to their default settings is advisable. Using a reputable anti-malware tool designed for Mac to scan the system for any remnants of CacheOptimizer or other malicious software is crucial.

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

Remove CacheOptimizer manually for free

Note: CacheOptimizer 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 “CacheOptimizer” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: CacheOptimizer 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 CacheOptimizer in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove CacheOptimizer from Applications

Remove CacheOptimizer from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall CacheOptimizer

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

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

Remove CacheOptimizer add-on from your browsers

Removing CacheOptimizer 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 CacheOptimizer 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 CacheOptimizer 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 CacheOptimizer 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 CacheOptimizer extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish CacheOptimizer 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 CacheOptimizer


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


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

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 CacheOptimizer in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like CacheOptimizer

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.