How to remove PublicAnalog (Mac)

What is PublicAnalog

PublicAnalog is a type of adware that specifically targets Mac computers, causing various issues such as displaying unwanted advertisements, redirecting browser searches to dubious websites, and potentially compromising user privacy. This article will explore the nature of PublicAnalog, how it infects Mac systems, its characteristics as adware, and the steps Mac users can take to remove it. PublicAnalog is classified as adware, a form of malware designed to inject advertisements into the user’s web browser, generate pop-ups, or redirect online traffic to specific sites to generate revenue for the developers. Unlike traditional malware, adware often masquerades as legitimate software, making it tricky for users to identify and remove. Once installed, PublicAnalog exhibits several intrusive behaviors characteristic of adware. It injects ads into web pages that the user visits, which can be unrelated to the site’s content. It also redirects the user to affiliate websites that may be insecure or irrelevant to the user’s original search queries. Furthermore, adware like PublicAnalog can track user behavior online, including browsing history and search queries, which poses significant privacy concerns.

How PublicAnalog infects Mac computers

The infection process of PublicAnalog typically involves several deceptive techniques to install the adware onto a Mac without the user’s explicit consent. It often comes bundled with free software applications, where it is installed silently in the background during the installation of a primary program unless the user opts out during the custom installation process. Users might also encounter misleading advertisements that prompt them to install updates or other software that is actually adware. Additionally, PublicAnalog can be distributed via fake software installers or updates, such as those pretending to be from legitimate sources like Adobe Flash Player or other popular software.

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

Remove PublicAnalog manually for free

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

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

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

Remove PublicAnalog from Applications

Remove PublicAnalog from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall PublicAnalog

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

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

Remove PublicAnalog add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish PublicAnalog 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 PublicAnalog


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


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

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 PublicAnalog in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like PublicAnalog

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.