How to remove OperativeNavigation (Mac)

What is OperativeNavigation

OperativeNavigation is an adware application specifically designed to generate revenue through intrusive advertisements. It is part of the AdLoad malware family and primarily targets macOS systems, displaying unwanted pop-ups, banners, and overlays during web browsing. Users may experience a significant slowdown in their devices, as well as frequent redirects to questionable websites. This adware often collects sensitive data, including browsing history and personal information, which can lead to privacy concerns and potential financial losses. Distribution methods typically involve bundled software installations or deceptive ads that lure users into downloading the application. Due to its nature, OperativeNavigation poses risks not only to device performance but also to user safety, making its removal essential for a secure browsing experience.

How OperativeNavigation infects Mac computers

OperativeNavigation primarily infects Mac systems through deceptive marketing strategies, particularly via the bundling method. This technique involves packaging the adware with legitimate software installers that users download, often from freeware sites or peer-to-peer sharing networks. During installation, users frequently overlook the terms and conditions or select “Easy/Express” settings, inadvertently allowing unwanted applications to be installed alongside the desired software. Additionally, OperativeNavigation may be promoted through misleading advertisements and phishing strategies that redirect users to malicious websites. Once installed, the adware can significantly degrade system performance by displaying intrusive ads, redirecting browser traffic, and potentially harvesting sensitive user data. To mitigate the risk of infection, users are advised to exercise caution when downloading software and to carefully review installation prompts.

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

Remove OperativeNavigation manually for free

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

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

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

Remove OperativeNavigation from Applications

Remove OperativeNavigation from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall OperativeNavigation

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

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

Remove OperativeNavigation add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish OperativeNavigation 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 OperativeNavigation


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


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

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 OperativeNavigation in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like OperativeNavigation

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