Internet users could unintentionally install the dubious computer program Drop Google Chrome extension because its handlers make use of different misleading spreading methods. Drop adware often hides in a software bundle so that when a user installs the host program, this tool can covertly onboard the targeted internet browser application. Malicious browser pop-up ads that forcefully appear when a user visits dubious websites are another way to spread Drop Chrome extension around the internet. According to this plan, the Drop setup file is recommended as a very useful browser extension that improves web search and surfing by offering a number of services for quick email account access.
Drop will appear as an extension to well-known internet programs like Google Chrome after a successful installation, and it immediately attacks internet browser software. An unknown search provider will always be the default homepage and new tab after an unauthorized change to the browser setup. This has an impact on the default search engine as well. As a result, undesirable searches will be directed at all online visitors.
Drop Chrome extension is able to gather certain browsing information, such as search keywords or terms, browsing history, a user’s location or IP address, and personal information, in addition to making illegal changes to infected browser programs. Drop Chrome extension must continue with this data collection because attackers will use it for analysis and deliver customized adverts on the browser. As usual, these customized ads can draw in website visitors and result in high sales percentages.
It is clear at this point that Drop Chrome extension was created solely to take advantage of compromised web browser software so that attackers can generate a respectable online profit. When compared to standard default search settings like Google or Bing, its integrated homepage and search are actually useless. To restore the preferences of the previous web user, Drop Google Chrome extension should be removed. In the following segment, a removal guide for undesirable programs is offered.
Procedures to Remove Drop from Mac
This section contains comprehensive guide for Mac users. It will help you remove malicious browser hijacker from Google Chrome browser. Procedures on this page are written in a manner that can be easily understand and execute by Mac users.
To remove Drop from Mac, follow the steps below. Procedures for PC is also available.
- Quick Fix : Scan the Mac computer with the Combo Cleaner.
- Step 1 : Remove malicious browser extensions.
- Step 2 : Uninstall Drop from the Applications folder.
- Step 3 : Delete Drop files from your Mac computer.
- Step 4 : Run another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
- Step 5 : Remove Drop entries from internet browsers.
Quick Fix - Scan the System with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted Mac utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of malicious browser hijacker like Drop. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.
1. Download the tool from the following page:
2. Double-click the downloaded file and proceed with the installation.
3. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon onto your Applications folder icon.
4. Open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.
5. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing Drop.
6. Free features of Combo Cleaner include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus and privacy scanner, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
Proceed with the rest of the removal steps if you are comfortable manually removing malicious objects associated with the threat.
Step 1 : Delete Suspicious Google Chrome Extension on Mac
Most adware and unwanted programs are using a program called browser extension to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend to check and remove the extension that is closely related to Drop.
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find Drop or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
If unable to remove Drop because browser is "Managed by your Organization", follow these steps:
1. Activate the Developer mode on Extensions window by using the slider.
2. Then, copy or take note of the browser Extension ID.
3. Open Finder on you Mac and go to the following directory:
~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions
4. Once you opened the directory, find the folder that matches the Extension ID and delete it.
5. Please restart your Google Chrome browser.
Aside from this straightforward workaround, we have a separate comprehensive guide to fix the Managed by Organization issue. You can also execute that guide if the steps on this page are not enough to delete Drop.
Step 2 : Delete Drop from Mac Applications
1. Go to Finder.
2. On the menu, click Go and then, select Applications from the list to open Applications Folder.
3. Find Drop or any unwanted program.
4. Drag Drop to Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.
5. Right-click on Trash icon and click on Empty Trash.
Step 3 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed Drop
1. Select and copy the string below to your Clipboard by pressing Command + C on your keyboard.
~/Library/LaunchAgents
2. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar please select Go > Go to Folder...
3. Press Command + V on your keyboard to paste the copied string. Press Return to go to the said folder.
4. You will now see a folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:
- unknown.download.plist
- unknown.ltvbit.plist
- unknown.update.plist
- com.unknown
The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. It is normally an unfamiliar file name such as the following:
- Drop
If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing Drop to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the most latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files. Please press Option + Command + 4 on your keyboard to arrange the application list in chronological order.
Important: Take note of all the suspicious files as you may also delete the same item on another folder as we go on.
5. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.
6. Please restart the computer.
7. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and Paste the following string to easily locate the folder.
~/Library/Application Support
8. Look for any suspicious items that are similar to the ones in Step 4. Drag them to the Trash.
9. Repeat the process on the following non-hidden folders (without ~):
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
/Library/Preferences
Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:
1. Go to Launchpad, Utilities folder, open Activity Monitor.
2. Select the process you want to quit.
3. Click on Force Quit button.
4. You may now delete or remove locked files that belongs to Drop homepage hijacker.
Step 4 : Double-check with MBAM Tool for Mac
1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac from the link below.
2. Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac. It will check for updates and download if most recent version is available. This is necessary in finding recent malware threats including Drop.
3. If it prompts to close all running web browser, please do so. Thus, we advise you to PRINT this guide for your reference before going offline.
4. Once it opens the user interface, please click on Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.
5. After the scan, Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac will display a list of identified threats, Drop is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click Remove button to clean the computer.
Step 5 : Remove Drop from Homepage and Search
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and press Enter on keyboard : chrome://settings/
- Look for 'On Startup' area.
- Select 'Open a specific page or set of pages'.
- Click on More Actions and select Edit.
- Enter the desired web address as your home page, replacing Drop. Click Save.
- To set default search engine, go to Search Engine area.
- Click on 'Manage search engines...' button.
- Go to questionable Search Engine. Click on More Actions and Click 'Remove from list'.
- Go back to Search Engine area and choose valid entry from Search engine used in the address bar.
Drop Removal Procedure for PC
Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised computer. In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.
Remove Drop from the PC by executing these steps:
Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of malicious browser extension like Drop that is responsible for displaying unknown homepage and pop-ups.
To quickly remove Drop without going through the complicated process, please click on the button to download the removal tool. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.
Proceed with the rest of the removal steps if you are comfortable manually removing malicious objects associated with the threat. The following guides are also vital in deleting malicious items from the browser configuration.
Step 1 : Get Rid of Unwanted Google Chrome Extension
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the browser hijacker. However, if you still find that there are still remnants of Drop on internet application, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find Drop or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
If you cannot remove Drop because "Your Browser is Managed by your Organization", do the following:
1. Activate the Developer mode on Extensions window by using the slider.
2. Then, copy or take note of the browser Extension ID.
3. Open Windows Explorer and locate the following folder:
C:\Users\(Your Username)\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
4. After opening the Folder, find the item that matches the Extension ID and delete it.
5. Please restart your Google Chrome browser.
Aside from this straightforward workaround, we have a separate comprehensive guide to fix the Managed by Organization issue. You can also execute that guide if the steps on this page are not enough to delete Drop.
Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus
To remove Drop automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful anti-virus tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker like Drop that slows down online browsing activities.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.
3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like Drop.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Drop+ and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Drop browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
Step 3 : Scan with AdwCleaner and Reset Chrome Policies
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Drop on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer, especially browsers affected by Drop.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on the scan button.
4. On the AdwCleaner Dashboard, click on Settings.
5. While in the Settings window, please turn On the Reset Chrome Policies option.
6. Go back to the Dashboard and click the Scan button.
7. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with Drop.
8. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
9. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.
