How to remove ControlMethod (Mac)

What is ControlMethod

ControlMethod is a type of adware that targets Mac computers, which is software designed to display unwanted advertisements, often within a web browser. This adware can be particularly intrusive, redirecting users to unwanted websites, changing browser settings, and generally slowing down the system. It can also collect personal information and browsing habits, posing a privacy risk. If a Mac is infected with ControlMethod, removal can be achieved by using antivirus or anti-malware tools that can scan for and remove adware. Manual removal involves checking the Applications folder for suspicious apps, using Activity Monitor to quit suspicious processes, removing unknown profiles from System Preferences, deleting unfamiliar browser extensions, and resetting browser settings to their defaults. Additionally, users should clear browser caches and cookies, remove unwanted login items from the Users & Groups section of System Preferences, and delete suspicious files from various Library folders, including Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons.

How ControlMethod infects Mac computers

ControlMethod typically infects Macs through bundled software, where it comes packaged with other applications that users download. It can also infect systems through deceptive ads, fake updates or installers, and email attachments. Once installed, ControlMethod can generate numerous pop-up ads, hijack browser settings, cause performance issues, and raise privacy concerns due to potential data collection. To prevent ControlMethod infections, users should download software from trusted sources, keep their systems and applications updated with the latest security patches, install reputable antivirus or anti-malware software, and exercise caution when clicking on ads or links and when handling unsolicited downloads.

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

Remove ControlMethod manually for free

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

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

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

Remove ControlMethod from Applications

Remove ControlMethod from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall ControlMethod

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

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

Remove ControlMethod add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish ControlMethod 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 ControlMethod


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


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

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 ControlMethod in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ControlMethod

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.