Disclaimer: The subject on this post is the FAKE version of MacEnizer.
MacEnizer from macenizers.com is a rogue Macintosh security and optimizer tool. This counterfeit copy is distributed online in various methods but is often acquired by victims through malicious advertisements that emerges from series of browser redirects. Online marketing pages by MacEnizer normally disguises as online scanner and is known in identifying issues that do not exists on Mac computer. The imaginary detection aims to influence web users into downloading or running a setup of MacEnizer directly from the bogus online scanner page.
After successful installation of MacEnizer, users will be bombarded with alerts and warnings stating several Malware/PUP threats as well as dozens of issues on various sections involving Mac systems. As usual, the motive of such false information is to entice users in getting the paid version of MacEnizer. Exhibiting these pop-ups and alerts will persist until it convinces users that urgent fix is needed and this can only be done by obtaining the MacEnizer license key.
Looking at the graphical user interface alone, it is obvious that MacEnizer is a remake of previous PCVARK malware namely Mac Fixer Pro, Qbit Mac Cleaner, and Advanced Mac Booster. Except from the program title, there is no distinctive change on the recent version. None of these counterfeit security and optimization apps provides benefits to Mac users; instead, MacEnizer and all its predecessors is actual nuisance once installed on the computer. Therefore, we highly recommend immediate removal of the fake MacEnizer to prevent further harm on Mac systems.
Procedures to Remove MacEnizer
This section contains complete instructions to assist you in removing potentially unwanted program from Mac computer.
A summary of the step-by-step manual removal process:
Instant Removal : Scan the Mac computer with antivirus program
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 unwanted application like MacEnizer.
1. Download the tool from the following page:
2. Double-click the downloaded file, combocleaner.dmg and proceed with the installation.
3. The installation window will open. Please double-click or drag the Combo Cleaner icon to the Applications folder.
4. Proceed with the installation. When it displays the Software License Agreement, please click Continue, and then click on Agree in the confirmation window. Continue with the default installation.
5. The program should run automatically after installation. If not, open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.
6. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing MacEnizer and other issues on the Mac computer.
7. After the virus and disk scan processes, the tool will display the results. Click on Remove Selected to start cleaning the computer.
To fully optimize the features of antivirus and privacy scanners, users may have to upgrade to the premium version.
If you are comfortable enough to manually delete the unwanted application and any other potentially harmful objects associated to it, please move on to the next set of instructions.
Step 1 : Quit MacEnizer Process
Before proceeding with the steps below, please close the MacEnizer window if it is open.
1. Go to Launchpad > Other folder, open the Activity Monitor.
2. Select the process you want to quit.
3. In the upper part of the window, click the Stop button.
4. Click on the Force Quit button.
5. You may now delete or remove files that belong to MacEnizer. Proceed to the next steps.
Step 2 : Delete MacEnizer Login Items
Some malware also installs login items into compromised accounts under System Settings. This object automatically runs MacEnizer during user log in.
1. Go to your Dock and open System Settings.
2. Select and click General from the sidebar.
3. Next, click on Login Items on the right panel to see if there are malicious items.
4. In the "Open at Login" area, review the items and select MacEnizer or any suspicious entry.
5. Click on the minus [-] button and confirm your actions.
As stated, the creation of Login Items or Profiles is done on a case-to-case basis. Some malware may add their entries to this section, but others are not concern with making one. So, if the MacEnizer Login item is not present, please continue with the succeeding steps.
Step 3 : Delete MacEnizer Application
1. Go to Finder.
2. On the menu, click Go and then, select Applications from the list to open Applications Folder.
3. Find MacEnizer or any unwanted program.
4. Drag MacEnizer to Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.
5. Next, go to the Dock, right-click on the Trash icon, and click on Empty Trash.
Step 4 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed MacEnizer
1. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar, please select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Input the following string and press Enter on the keyboard.
~/Library/LaunchAgents
3. You will now see a hidden folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:
- com.MacEnizer.plist
- unknown.service.plist
- unknown.system.plist
- unknown.download.plist
- unknown.update.plist
4. The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. Attackers may use the following file names:
- Qbit, PCV Ark, (random characters).plist
If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing MacEnizer to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files.
5. Please click on "Show items as..."
6. To arrange the items in chronological order, click Date Modified.
7. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.
Take note of all the suspicious files, as you may also delete the same item in another folder as we go on.8. Please restart the Mac computer.
9. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and paste the following string to easily locate the folder:
~/Library/Application Support
10. Select any suspicious items that you have noted previously. Drag them to the Trash.
11. Repeat the process in the following non-hidden folders (without ~):
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
12. Lastly, go to your Finder > Go and open the Applications folder. Look for subfolders with the following names and drag them to Trash.
- Qbit, PCV Ark, (random characters)
Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:
1. Go to Launchpad > Other folder, open the Activity Monitor.
2. Select the process you want to quit.
3. In the upper part of the window, click the Stop button.
4. Click on Force Quit button.
5. You may now delete or remove the locked file that belongs to MacEnizer homepage hijacker.
Step 5 : Run another Scan using Malwarebytes for Mac
Use Malwarebytes for Mac to do another scan to make sure the machine is already clear of viruses, malware, and adware. This efficient anti-malware application allows you to detect things that other security software was unable to recognize.
1. Download Malwarebytes for Mac from the link below.
2. Locate the downloaded Malwarebytes-Mac.pkg and install it with the default settings.
3. Run Malwarebytes 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 MacEnizer.
4. Once you are on the Malwarebytes dashboard, please click on the Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.
5. After the scan, Malwarebytes for Mac will display a list of identified threats, and MacEnizer is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click the Remove button to clean the computer.
System Compatibility Notice
To provide you with easy and accurate methods, the commands used in the guide are common, useful, and tested. We ensured that our tutorial to get rid of MacEnizer is compatible with the majority of Mac operating systems. Please let us know via email or the comment section below if you run into any incompatibility when using this tutorial. We will be pleased to reply and make the required corrections.
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