How to remove ConnectionOptimizer (Mac)

What is ConnectionOptimizer

ConnectionOptimizer is the name of a browser hijacker that infects machines working on macOS. It may be installed on your system as an extension, separate program, or even both after downloading some freeware software. Browser hijackers are software designed to change browser settings to set up fake search engines and spread promotional content. ConnectionOptimizer does exactly the same on various popular browsers like Google Chrome or Safari. The new search engine assigned by it is fake and redirects users through legal Yahoo or Bing. It is also capable of generating additional content like ads to gather clicks and gain some money for the developers. Although ConnectionOptimizer may sound helpful, its functions are totally useless and can be unsafe. Furthermore, browser hijackers tend to have full control of a browser making it difficult to reset the changes via traditional means. You can see the “Managed by your organization” message somewhere in settings meaning your browser is controlled by the unwanted app. Browser hijackers may also have access to reading personal data and stealing sensitive data like passwords or geolocations for revenue goals. ConnectionOptimizer is definitely worth being removed unless you want to face serious threats. Do not worry that much, we will help you do this fast and completely in the instructions below.

How ConnectionOptimizer infected your computer

Unwanted can be delivered via suspicious ads claiming to download fake Adobe Flash Player to fix some “detected” PC problems. In other cases, an app or extension responsible for keeping the hijacker alive on your system could also arrive while installing some other third-party software. Such a technique is more known as “bundling” where unwanted apps get bundled with other free software available on the web. Usually, unwanted apps are offered as something useful in addition to installing the main program. Many users have a chance to avert unwanted infections if being attentive and careful. Alas, most people are not and prone to skip over the whole installation while missing “Advanced/Custom” sections during the process. As a result, this negligent behavior leads to inadvertent installations of adware or browser hijackers we discussed above. In order to not let this happen in the future, it is vital to stay on alert and always be careful while using unofficial installers. Browser hijackers can also be spread via suspicious ads claiming your PC to be outdated or suffering problems. If interested, you can learn more tips on how to secure yourself against various threats on the web using our tutorial below.

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

Remove ConnectionOptimizer manually for free

Note: ConnectionOptimizer sets up to start on Mac OS 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 “ConnectionOptimizer” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

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

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

Remove ConnectionOptimizer from Applications

Remove ConnectionOptimizer from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall ConnectionOptimizer

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

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

Remove ConnectionOptimizer add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish ConnectionOptimizer 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 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 ConnectionOptimizer


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


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

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 ConnectionOptimizer in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ConnectionOptimizer

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.