How to Remove K9-MacOptimizer

K9-MacOptimizer is a computer program that some people find too annoying. First, it may arrive on Mac system without user’s approval. K9-MacOptimizer may come with adware and other software bundles that routinely spread over the internet to distribute malicious programs.

On its official website, K9-MacOptimizer is endorsed as a one-click cleaning tool that finds junk files, temporary files, redundant cache, and unnecessary log files. Through this optimization procedure, K9-MacOptimizer claims to boost performance of your computer.

K9-MacOptimizer seems to be a useful tool, however, due to its association with various adware and PUP’s, security experts find it disturbing to see this program running on the computer. In addition, K9-MacOptimizer runs a scan and produces tricky results. It aims to deceive computer users via these mockery scans that try to convince them into upgrading the program to a paid registered version.

As you can see, K9-MacOptimizer is a program that was made simply to be sold without any valid attestation to its effectiveness. Thus, we cannot declare that it is safe to install the program and let it be your default Mac OS X optimization tool.

Image of K9-MacOptimizer

If you share similar findings with us and wanted to remove K9-MacOptimizer from the computer, we have outlined and easy-to-follow procedures on this page. Scan the computer with suggested anti-malware tool to ensure that all items, including hidden ones will be deleted.

Screenshot of k9macoptimizer.com

Procedures to Remove K9-MacOptimizer

This section contains complete instructions to assist you in removing potentially unwanted program from Mac computer.

Procedures published on this page are written in method that can be easily understand and execute by Mac users.

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 and malware. Moreover, it can get rid of unwanted program like K9-MacOptimizer. 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 K9-MacOptimizer.

Combo Cleaner Scanner

6. As shown in the image below, Combo Cleaner accurately detects K9-MacOptimizer rogue program. Proceed with the removal of the virus by upgrading Combo Cleaner to full version.

Combo Cleaner Scan Result

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 : Quit K9-MacOptimizer Process

Before proceeding with the steps below, please close K9-MacOptimizer window if in case it is open.

1. Go to Launchpad, Utilities folder, open Activity Monitor.

2. Choose All Processes from the upper right corner of the window.

3. Under Process Name column, look for K9-MacOptimizer. Click the name to select the malicious process.

4. Next, click the Quit Process button located in the upper left corner of the window.

Force Quit Apps

5. When prompted, click on Force Quit.

6. You may now delete or remove files that belongs to K9-MacOptimizer. Proceed to the next steps.

Step 2 : Delete K9-MacOptimizer Login Items

Some malware also installs login item into compromised account under System Preferences. This object automatically runs K9-MacOptimizer 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 K9-MacOptimizer.

5. Click on Login Items tab.

6. Select K9-MacOptimizer from listed entries and click on the minus [-] button and confirm your actions. Please see image below for reference.

Screenshot of Login Items

As stated, the creation of Login Items or profile is case-to-case basis. Some unwanted application may add their entry on this section but others are not concern on making one. So, if K9-MacOptimizer Login item is not present, please continue with the succeeding steps.

Step 3 : Delete K9-MacOptimizer Application

1. Go to Finder.

2. On the menu, click Go and then, select Applications from the list to open Applications Folder.

3. Find K9-MacOptimizer or any unwanted program.

Delete Unwanted App

4. Drag the K9-MacOptimizer to Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.

5. Right-click on Trash icon and click on Empty Trash.

Step 4 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed K9-MacOptimizer

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:

    If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing K9-MacOptimizer 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

    5. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.

    6. Repeat Step 2, numbers 1-5 procedures on the following folder (without ~):

    /Library/LaunchAgents

    7. Please restart the computer.

    8. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and Paste the following string to easily locate the folder.

    ~/Library/Application Support

    9. Look for suspicious objects or folders with the following names and drag them to the Trash.

      10. Repeat procedures 8 and 9 on the following folders if necessary.

      ~/Library/Caches

      11. Go to your Finder and open the Applications Folder. Look for subfolders with names similar above and drag them to Trash.

      12. Lastly, please Empty your Mac's Trash bin.

      Step 5 : Run another Scan using 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 K9-MacOptimizer.

      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, K9-MacOptimizer is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click Remove button to clean the computer.

      6. You may now restart the computer.

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