Remove DominantPartition from Mac

DominantPartition or also known as the DominantPartitiond adware, is a questionable browser extension for Mac. It is endorsed as a tool that enhances the online searching and browsing experiences of users. The catch is that after a Mac user installs the DominantPartition, its true intention will surface, and one is to dominate the internet browser application like Google Chrome or Safari. The control of this unwanted program in the browser forces the homepage and search to make use of a third-party search tool, which is quite unimpressive. It completely replaces the preferences of Mac users regarding this section, but instead of improving, it degrades the search function of the internet browser program.

How does DominantPartition enter a Mac computer?

There are a number of ways this suspicious app was able to enter the computer even without the authority of Mac users. First on the list of its propagation methods is the use of malicious software bundles. Normally, the file DominantPartition.gqa is embedded with various freeware or shareware that can be obtained freely from distrusted sources. These apps run a discreet installation of DominantPartition or similar threats as ActivityElement, DigitalRecord, and ManagerAnalog.

Next is the fake software update. These are pop-up advertisements pretending to be system alerts that have found an outdated program. The pop-up states the web user must download and install the recommended update in order to fix identified issues. Hence, instead of the software update, this deceitful approach intends to load DominantPartition into the browser program.

Screenshot of DominantPartition for Mac

Another way for DominantPartition to infiltrate the computer is through the use of misleading pop-up advertisements. This is a marketing scheme in which pop-up ads, banners, or redirects promote DominantPartition as a valuable browser extension. Due to their deceiving contents, the ads can easily lure users into installing the unwanted program.

Risks of installing a DominantPartitiond extension

The questionable application is presently categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). Basically, Mac users do not request it in most of the installation cases. This intrusive characteristic made DominantPartition even more suspicious, and some deemed it a computer virus.

Bear in mind that the said program is not a virus; hence, it is still risky to install it on the computer. Aside from being annoyed by the display of aggressive advertisements, it could direct the browser to unwanted online pages that can eventually lead to adware or malware infection. Therefore, the risks of infecting the computer with additional threats are imminent as long as the DominantPartition adware is operating on the browser.

The DominantPartition.gqa

Having a file called DominantPartition.gqa poses serious risks, including potential data loss or corruption, as relevant malware can infect and damage files on your computer. System instability may occur, leading to crashes and making your computer unusable. Unauthorized access by hackers is a significant threat, as malware can create vulnerabilities allowing attackers to steal sensitive information. The threat may also spread to other systems, causing widespread infections and making it challenging to contain it.

Procedures to Remove DominantPartition from Mac

This area contains comprehensive procedures to help you remove adware and potentially unwanted program from the computer. Guide on this page are written in a manner 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, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of adware like DominantPartition. You may need to purchase the full version if you want 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 your antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates.

6. Next, click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing DominantPartition.

Combo Cleaner Scanner

7. 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 DominantPartition 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 DominantPartition or any unwanted program and suspicious item. It may also disguise itself as a different file with random names.

Delete Unwanted App

4. Drag the suspicious file to the Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.

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

Step 2 : Remove Browser Extensions that belongs to DominantPartition

1. Locate the add-on or extension that is relevant to the adware. 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 DominantPartition, 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 DominantPartition

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:

  • com.DominantPartition.plist
  • unknown.service.plist
  • unknown.system.plist
  • unknown.download.plist
  • unknown.update.plist

The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. Attackers may use the following file names:

- DominantPartition.gqa, DominantPartitiond.qga, (random characters).plist

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

10. Lastly, go to your Finder and open the Applications Folder. Look for subfolders with the following names and drag them to Trash.

- DominantPartition.gqa, DominantPartitiond.qga

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 DominantPartition adware.

Step 4 : Double-check with MBAM Tool for Mac

1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac from this link:

2. Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac. It will check for updates and download the most recent version if one is available. This is necessary for finding recent malware threats, including DominantPartition.

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

Step 5 : Remove DominantPartition from Homepage and Search

Safari

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

Google Chrome

- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Input the following on the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard : chrome://settings/
- Look for 'On Startup' area on the sidebar.
- Select 'Open a specific page or set of pages'.
- Choose the unwanted homepage, and click on Ellipses (three dots) and select Edit.
- Enter the desired web address as your homepage, replacing the DominantPartition setting. Click Save.
- To set the default search engine, go to the Search Engine area from the sidebar link.
- Click on 'Manage search engines...' button.
- Select the questionable Search Engine and click on Ellipses (three dots). ClickDelete. to remove it from the list.
- Go back to the Search Engine area and choose a valid entry (i.e., Google) 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
- Click Home on the sidebar area.
- Under "New Windows and Tabs", you may choose Firefox Home (Default) or Custom URLs. - Input the desired URL to replace DominantPartition settings if you chose Custom URLs.
- To configure default search engine, select Search on the sidebar to display the settings.
- Under the Default Search Engine list, please select one (i.e., Google).
- On the same page, you have the option to Remove unwanted search engines.

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

Some users complain that there is no way to change browser settings because they are grayed out by DominantPartition. In such a situation, it is important to check if there is an 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 DominantPartition or any relevant profile from the left pane. See the image below.

Remove Mac Profile

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

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

About the author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *