How to remove MacOSDefender

What is MacOSDefender

MacOSDefender or MacOSDefender.app is malicious application for MacOS, that takes control over search and homepage settings in Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. While searching for something, users can see multiple redirects, for example: goto-searchitnow.global.ssl.fastly.net -> my-search.com -> searchroute-1560352588.us-west-2.elb.amazonaws.com -> alphashoppers.co. Some of this web addresses figured in our previous articles, from what we can make a conclusion, that those hijackers have similar roots and, probably, one team of developers. Alphashoppers.co is always final destination of those redirects and it provides poor search results filled with ads and sponsored links. We created this tutorial to show Mac users how to remove MacOSDefender and get rid of search redirects in browsers.

How MacOSDefender infected your Mac

After infiltrating Mac computer MacOSDefender tries to get access to browser settings showing such pop-up:

“MacOSDefender.app” wants access to control “Safari.app”. Allowing control will provide access to documents and data in “Safari.app”, and to perform actions within that app.

Often users click OK in such windows, without paying attention, thinking it is regular system alert. Malefactors exploit this type of behavior to get access to system or browser settings. Consequences can be much worse, than browser ads and redirects. Use quality anti-malware or anti-virus application to protect your Mac from threats like MacOSDefender.

Download MacOSDefender Removal Tool for Mac

To remove MacOSDefender completely we recommend you to use CleanMyMac. It can help you remove files, folders and registry keys of MacOSDefender and uninstall hijackers, toolbars and unwanted add-ons from Safari browser.

Remove MacOSDefender manually for free

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

Remove MacOSDefender from Applications

Remove MacOSDefender from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall MacOSDefender

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

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

Remove MacOSDefender add-on from your browsers

Removing MacOSDefender from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is browser extension and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove MacOSDefender 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 MacOSDefender and Alpha Shoppers extensions.
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 MacOSDefender and Alpha Shoppers extensions.
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 MacOSDefender and Alpha Shoppers extensions.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish MacOSDefender 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 MacOSDefender


~Library/Application Support/.dir/MacOSDefender.app/Contents/MacOS/


How to protect Mac OSX from adware like MacOSDefender

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time there was no need in antivirus products for Mac. But with 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 most advanced antivirus for Mac available – BitDefender Antivirus.