How to Remove Dolanbaross (Mac)

Dolanbaross is an ad-supported application or better known in the computer security world as Adware. This Macintosh-based potentially unwanted program (PUP) is endorsed as a tool that optimizes the process in downloading and installing applications. Dolanbaross claims that it provides better user’s online experience. Hence, this assertion is contrary to what users may experience once they give this adware a spot on the computer.

First, keep in mind that Dolanbaross is a program that was made with main objective of generating online revenue by exploiting user’s internet browsing habit. Its presence on the browser can display layers of advertisements that are often disturbing. In addition, Dolanbaross is so invasive that it can carry out unwanted changes on Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. If successful, homepage, new tab, and default search engine of these internet applications will resolve to unwanted address like Search.dolanbaross.com.

Screenshot of Dolanbaross website

At this stage, there seems to be nothing working properly on the browser. It redirects to unwanted URL, pop-up advertisements, and display irrelevant search outcome. Thus, victims of Dolanbaross have no other remedy but to get rid of this adware. Unfortunately, makers of this adware made Dolanbaross difficult to remove in preparation for users attempt to restore the browser. There are codes and objects hidden on various folders of Mac system. For this reason, we made simple procedures to guide users in proper removal of Dolanbaross. Also included on this guide are malware and virus scanners to locate and delete malicious objects automatically.

Procedures to Remove Dolanbaross from Mac

Systematic instructions and tools for the successful removal of browser threat are outlined on this section. This is helpful to totally get rid of Dolanbaross browser hijacker from infected browser programs.

Even ordinary Mac users can understand and follow this guide because it was created with less complexities and technicalities. Also, make sure to run the scanners to automatically delete harmful items belonging to Dolanbaross browser hijacker.

Quick Fix - Scan the Mac Computer 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 Dolanbaross. 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.

Install Combo Cleaner

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 Dolanbaross.

Combo Cleaner Scanner

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.

Aside from automatic removal using the recommended utility application, you can also remove Dolanbaross with manual procedure. If you are comfortable in executing this course, please proceed below.

Step 1 : Delete Dolanbaross from Mac Applications

1. Open Finder on you Mac computer.

2. Next, go to top menu and click Go. From the drop-down list, click on Applications to view the contents of Applications Folder.

3. Browse the Applications folder and look for Dolanbaross. If it is not present, find any unwanted or suspicious program that is probably relevant to the browser hijacker.

Delete Unwanted App

4. To delete Dolanbaross from Mac, simply Drag it to Trash Bin. You can also highlight/select the item and press Delete on your keyboard.

5. Next, delete Dolanbaross from Trash Bin. Right-click the Trash icon and click Empty Trash.

Step 2 : Remove Browser Extensions that belongs to Dolanbaross

1. Locate the add-on or extension that is relevant to the hijacker. To do this, please follow the following depending on affected browser.

Safari - Choose Preferences from the Safari menu, then click the Extensions icon. This will open a window showing all installed extensions.

Chrome - Select Preferences from the Chrome menu, and then click the Extensions link found on the left pane.

Firefox - Choose Add-ons from the Menu. Look at both the Extensions and Plug-ins lists when it opens a new window.

2. Once you have located Dolanbaross or any suspicious item, click on Remove or Uninstall, to get rid of it.

3. Close the browser and proceed to the next steps.

Step 3 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed Dolanbaross

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.

Command + V

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:

- Dolanbaross, Genieo, Software Updater, InstallMac, Inkeeper

If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing Dolanbaross 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.

Option+Command+4

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.

Force Quit Apps

3. Click on Force Quit button.

4. You may now delete or remove locked files that belongs to Dolanbaross 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 Dolanbaross.

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.

MBAM for Mac

5. After the scan, Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac will display a list of identified threats, Dolanbaross 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 Dolanbaross from Homepage and Search

Safari

- Open your Safari browser.
- Go to Safari Menu located on upper left hand corner, and then select Preferences.
- Under General tab, navigate to Default Search Engine section and select Google or any valid search engine.
- Next, be sure that "New Windows Open With" field is set to Homepage.
- Lastly, remove Dolanbaross from the Homepage field. Replace it with your preferred URL to be set as your default homepage.

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 Dolanbaross. 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.

Mozilla Firefox

- Run Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and hit Enter on keyboard : about:preferences
- On Startup area, select 'Show your home page' under 'When Firefox starts' field.
- Under Home Page field, type the desired URL to replace Dolanbaross settings.
- To configure default search engine, select Search on left sidebar to display settings.
- Under Default Search Engine list, please select one.
- On the same page, you have an option to Remove unwanted search engine.

Step 6 : Delete Dolanbaross Login Items

Some browser hijacker may also install login item into compromised account under System Preferences. This object automatically runs Dolanbaross during user log in.

1. Go to Apple menu and choose System Preferences.

2. Select Users & Groups from the preferences window.

3. You may need to Unlock this area in order to make changes. Click on the Lock icon on lower left corner of the window.

4. Next, select user account that runs Dolanbaross.

5. Click on Login Items tab.

6. Select Dolanbaross or any suspicious entries from the list and click on the minus [-] button and confirm your actions. Please see image below for reference.

Screenshot of Login Items

Optional : If unable to change browser settings, execute these steps:

Some user complains that there is no way to change browser settings because it is grayed out by Dolanbaross. In such situation, it is important to check if there is unwanted profile. Please do the following:

1. Quit any running applications and launch System Preferences from your Dock.

2. Under System Preferences, click Profiles.

3. Select , Dolanbaross or any relevant profile from the left pane. See image below.

Remove Mac Profile

4. At the bottom of this window, click minus [-] button to delete the account. Please refer to image above.

5. Close the Profiles window and open the affected browser to change all settings associated with Dolanbaross.

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