What is OptimalProcesser
OptimalProcesser is a type of adware that specifically targets Mac computers. It is part of the AdLoad malware family and is designed to deliver unwanted and potentially harmful advertisements to users. The main purpose of this article is to provide general information about OptimalProcesser, how it infects Mac computers, and the nature of the adware itself. Once installed, OptimalProcesser may have browser-hijacking capabilities, changing browser settings and redirecting users to unwanted websites. It can also track private information, including browsing and search engine histories, internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, and credit card numbers. This collected data may be sold to third parties, leading to privacy breaches and potential financial fraud. OptimalProcesser is classified as adware, which stands for advertising-supported software. It is known to display intrusive advertisements across various interfaces, which can promote online scams, unreliable or harmful software, and even other types of malware. These ads can execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads or installations when clicked, posing a significant threat to device integrity and user privacy.
How OptimalProcesser infects Mac computers
OptimalProcesser typically infiltrates Mac systems through deceptive methods such as software bundling, where it is hidden within the installers of other software, often without the user’s knowledge. Users may inadvertently install OptimalProcesser when they install free or paid software without carefully reading the terms and conditions or installation screens. It can also be distributed via suspicious pop-up ads, torrent downloads, and fake update tools.
- Download OptimalProcesser Removal Tool
- Remove OptimalProcesser from Login Items
- Remove/Uninstall OptimalProcesser from Applications
- Remove OptimalProcesser from browsers
- Reset browser settings
- Remove OptimalProcesser files and folders
- Block OptimalProcesser ads and pop-ups
- How to protect from threats, like OptimalProcesser
Download OptimalProcesser Removal Tool
To remove OptimalProcesser completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter for Mac. It can help you remove files, folders, and registry keys of OptimalProcesser and uninstall hijackers, toolbars, and unwanted add-ons from the Safari browser. The trial version of SpyHunter for Mac offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove OptimalProcesser completely, we recommend you to use CleanMyMac. It can help you remove files, folders, and registry keys of OptimalProcesser and uninstall hijackers, toolbars, and unwanted add-ons from the Safari browser.
Remove OptimalProcesser manually for free
Note: OptimalProcesser sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:
- Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
- Choose your account (set up as Current User).
- Click Login Items tab.
- Find “OptimalProcesser” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.
Note 2: OptimalProcesser won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.
- Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
- Choose OptimalProcesser in the list.
- Click Force Quit button.
Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full OptimalProcesser removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of OptimalProcesser installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.
Remove OptimalProcesser from Applications
Remove OptimalProcesser from Mac:
- In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
- OptimalProcesser might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall OptimalProcesser or OptimalProcesser Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Otherwise, drag OptimalProcesser from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
- Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.
Cannot uninstall OptimalProcesser
If you can’t uninstall OptimalProcesser using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of OptimalProcesser. Follow instructions below:
- Download free AppCleaner.
- Drag OptimalProcesser from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
- Choose files and folders you want to remove along with OptimalProcesser.
- Click Delete button.
Remove OptimalProcesser add-on from your browsers
Removing OptimalProcesser 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 OptimalProcesser extension from your browsers manually.
Safari:
- Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
- Click Extensions tab.
- Find OptimalProcesser extension.
- Click Uninstall button to remove it.
Google Chrome:
- Start Google Chrome browser
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
chrome://extensions
. - Find OptimalProcesser extension.
- Click the trash can icon to remove it.
Mozilla Firefox:
- Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
about:addons
. - Choose OptimalProcesser extension.
- Click Disable or Remove button.
Reset browser settings
To finish OptimalProcesser removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.
Reset Safari:
- Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
- Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
- Click Remove All Website Data button.
- In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
- Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
- Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
- In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
- Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
- Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.
Reset Google Chrome:
- Start Google Chrome browser
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
chrome://settings
. - Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
- Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
- Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.
Reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
- In address box type (or copy-paste)
about:support
. - Click Refresh Firefox… button.
- Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.
Remove following files and folders of OptimalProcesser
~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.OptimalProcesser.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.OptimalProcesser.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.OptimalProcesser.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.OptimalProcesser.system.plist
Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote OptimalProcesser
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 OptimalProcesser in browsers.
How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like OptimalProcesser
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.