How to remove Proxy Virus (Mac)

What is Proxy Virus

Proxy Virus, also known as a MITM (Man-In-The-Middle) Proxy Virus, is a type of malware that primarily targets Mac computers. It operates by hijacking the browser settings, redirecting users to malicious websites, and potentially stealing sensitive information. This malware often masquerades as legitimate software, tricking users into downloading and installing it. Once installed, it can modify network settings to redirect internet traffic through a malicious proxy server, allowing cybercriminals to intercept, monitor, or manipulate the user’s online activities. Once a Mac is infected with a Proxy Virus, the system and its user face several significant impacts. The malware’s presence can lead to privacy concerns as it has the capability to track and monitor internet browsing activity, potentially resulting in privacy breaches. Users may also experience an influx of adware and pop-ups, which not only are intrusive but can also redirect them to dubious websites, further compromising their online safety. The performance of the infected Mac can degrade, with noticeable slowdowns in both the system and internet speeds, diminishing the overall user experience. Moreover, by rerouting internet traffic through a malicious proxy, the virus exposes the system to additional security risks, increasing the likelihood of further infections and encounters with harmful online content. These impacts collectively compromise the security, privacy, and functionality of the infected Mac, underscoring the importance of preventive measures and timely removal of the virus.

How Proxy Virus infects Mac computers

The infection process typically involves several deceptive techniques:

Bundling with Adware: The Proxy Virus often comes bundled with adware-type applications that infiltrate computers without users’ consent. These applications might appear as normal software installations but carry the Proxy Virus as an additional payload.
Deceptive Pop-up Ads: Users might encounter pop-up ads prompting them to update software (e.g., Safari web browser). Clicking on these prompts can initiate the download and installation of the Proxy Virus.
Fake Software Installers: Cybercriminals use fake installers, such as those mimicking Adobe Flash Player, to spread the Proxy Virus. These installers not only install the intended software but also secretly deploy the Proxy Virus.
Torrent Downloads: Downloading software or media from torrent files is another common method through which the Proxy Virus spreads. Torrent files may contain the malware disguised as legitimate content.

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

Remove Proxy Virus manually for free

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

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

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

Remove Proxy Virus from Applications

Remove Proxy Virus from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall Proxy Virus

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

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

Remove Proxy Virus add-on from your browsers

Removing Proxy Virus 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 Proxy Virus 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 Proxy Virus 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 Proxy Virus 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 Proxy Virus extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish Proxy Virus 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 Proxy Virus


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


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

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 Proxy Virus in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like Proxy Virus

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.