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If Safari on your Mac runs very slowly, takes far longer than it should to load pages, or crashes often, you might need to reset it. However, resetting Safari is not something you should do without care as it makes significant changes to the experience of using it. In fact, Apple removed the one-click, Reset Safari menu option, possibly for that reason.
When you reset Safari on Mac, it:
- Removes installed extensions
- Deletes browsing data
- Gets rid of cookies
- Forgets saved login names and passwords
- Scraps auto-fill data
The result is that Safari is clean and should behave as if you’ve just installed it. If you use iCloud Keychain, login names and passwords can be retrieved from there, and if you use iCloud Contacts, auto-fill data will be taken from there. So, while resetting Safari is a big step, it’s not the completely clean slate or inconvenience it used to be. However, you will notice that there’s nothing in the History menu and if you’ve left items in a checkout trolley at an online store, they will no longer be there.
How to reset Safari on Mac
Now that the Reset Safari button is gone, it takes several steps to achieve the same result.
Step 1: Clear Safari history
Tip: If you’re looking for an easy, two-clicks way, you can use CleanMyMac X to delete data like cookies, history, saved passwords, and auto-fill information.
If you want to clear the history manually, follow the steps:
- Launch Safari and click on the Safari menu.
- Choose Clear History…
- Click the menu next to clear and choose a time period — if you want to completely reset Safari, choose all history.
- Press Clear History.
Step 2: Clear Safari cache
- With Safari open, click the Safari menu.
- Choose Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- At the bottom of the window, you should see a checkbox labelled Show Develop menu in menu bar, check it.
- Click on the Develop menu and choose Empty caches.
Step 3: Remove Safari extensions
Extensions are third-party add-ons that provide additional functionality to Safari, such as saving web pages to Evernote or Pocket, or downloading videos from streaming sites. However, they can also cause problems, particularly if you let them get out of date or the developer stops updating them, so here’s how to remove them.
- In Safari, click on the Safari menu and choose Preferences.
- Click on the Extensions tab.
- In the window that opens, you’ll see a list of installed extensions. To completely reset Safari, click on each extension in turn and press Uninstall.
Step 4: Switch off plug-ins
- In Safari, click on the menu and choose Preferences.
- Click on the Security tab.
- Remove the checkmark from the Allow Plug-ins checkbox.
Step 5: Delete plug-ins
The above steps allow you to switch Safari plug-ins on and off and to control how they behave with specific websites. To delete them completely, however, you’ll need to manually move them to the Trash. MacOS stores plug-ins in two places, your user Library folder (~/Library) and your Mac’s main system Library folder (/Library). In both cases, plug-ins are stored in a folder called ‘Internet Plug-ins.’
If you think you might want to use the plug-ins again at later date, you can move them to another folder (maybe create one called ‘Disabled plug-ins’) and move them back when you need them. However, given that it’s very important to keep plug-ins up to date, you’d be better off deleting them and then reinstalling them from the developer’s website if you need them again.
- In the Finder, click on the Go menu and choose Library. If you can’t see it, try holding down the Alt key when you click; or in the Go menu, select Go to folder and type: ‘~/Library’
- Click on the Internet Plug-ins folder in Library.
- Drag the plug-ins you want to delete to the Trash.
- Click on the Go menu in the Finder again and choose Computer.
- Click on the name of your Mac and select the Library folder; or Click the Go menu, choose Go to folder, and type: ‘/Library’ (note, there’s no ‘~’ this time).
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 above.
Reset applications the easy way
There is an easier way to clean up Safari, particularly if you want to reset other browsers, like Chrome or Firefox, as well as Safari. CleanMyMac’s Privacy tool allows you to quickly view each browser you have installed and, by ticking a box, delete data such as cookies, history, saved passwords, and auto-fill information.
In addition, the Extensions tool makes it very easy to delete extensions from both Safari and Chrome, just by clicking the name of the browser, checking a box next to the extensions you want to remove and pressing the Remove button. It couldn’t be easier! You can download CleanMyMac X and try it out free here.
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Eos utility dmg.
Also, CleanMyMac can also reset applications, reverting them to their original state. To use it, launch CleanMyMac and click on the Uninstaller tool. Use the search box to find the app you want to reset and click on it. Now, click on a small arrow next to the app logo. Click the Application Reset button.
As you can see, it’s not difficult to reset Safari and return it to its original state. And thanks to iCloud Keychain and Contacts, doing so doesn’t mean that your saved logins or autofill data is gone for good. It is a significant step, however, and you should think carefully before you proceed.
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According to Malwarebytes, 2017 saw a 230% spike in malware activity within Mac ecosystem. The notable examples include Proton Remote Access Trojan and KeRanger virus. But whatever is that ends with “-ware” on your Mac — ransomware, adware, malware, or scareware — we’ll share a couple of methods to delete it. So, welcome to our Mac Malware Removal Guide.
Mac malware: The symptoms
Oftentimes a malware app would trick you into believing it’s perfectly harmless. Such apps are known to disguise themselves as antiviruses, extractors or video players. But how to check your Mac for viruses? Here are some of the tell-tale signs:
- A sudden drop in Mac’s performance or frequent freeze-ups.
- Pages that you visit get obscured with ads.
- Unexpected Mac reboots or apps starting for no reason.
- Your browser installs suspicious updates automatically.
How to remove a virus from Mac
Just as with any disease, to doctor a virus you need to remove the infected part of your software — as simple as that.
Remove malware from Mac manually
If you know which app on your Mac is malicious, you’re half-way through the problem. First of all, you need to close the app and then root it out from the system processes.
- Open Activity Monitor (type its name in the Launchpad).
- Locate the problematic app in the Processes.
- Use [x] button to quit the process
Now go back to your Applications and move the app to the Trash bin. Immediately empty the Trash.
This method is simple, but for the best malware removal results, you’d have to invest a bit more time. There are still parts and pieces of the virus app scattered around your system folders. It’s a bit like killing a dragon that re-grows its head after you’ve chopped it off. To remove malware from your Mac completely, it’s better to use a powerful uninstaller.
QUICK TIP:
Do a quick search for virus-infected .DMG files within your Downloads. The potential culprits could be recently downloaded files, especially media-related ones. Delete them and empty the Trash bin.
Do a quick search for virus-infected .DMG files within your Downloads. The potential culprits could be recently downloaded files, especially media-related ones. Delete them and empty the Trash bin.
Get rid of malware using CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X has a 10-year reputation of guarding Macs around the world. The app will scan your Mac for any vulnerabilities and offer immediate removal if it finds something suspicious. CleanMyMac detects thousands of malware threats, including viruses, adware, spyware, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, and more. The app’s database is regularly updated to keep all those “-wares” away from your Mac.
Here’s how to remove malware from your Mac:
- Download CleanMyMac X — it’s free to download.
- Click Malware Removal tab.
- Click Scan.
- Click Remove.
- Done!
How to remove Mac Adware cleaner
Ironically, the app called “Mac Adware cleaner” maybe itself be the very source of annoying adware on your Mac — the classic case of a wolf in a sheep’s skin. To remove it, you can use CleanMyMac (which is a legit app that has a 4.5-star rating from MacWorld magazine). Additionally, you can browse through your Login Items list to stop any dubious apps from auto-launching. Below is how to do it.
Remove Mac malware from your Login Items
Most adware or spyware will try to sneak inside the bootup process. Good news, you don’t have to be Kaspersky to prevent this.
- Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences
- Choose Users & Groups section
- Make sure if your username is highlighted
- Open Login Items tab
Now use the “—” sign to disable all the suspicious apps (like Mac Defenders) that you’ll find. Restart your Mac for the changes to take place.
How to get rid of pop-up ads on Mac
Advertising pop-ups are browser-related, so whatever browser you are using, be prepared for a thorough cleanup. First off, don’t buy into whatever the ad is telling you. Some scary alerts would mention 343 viruses found on your Mac forcing you to immediately install a “Mac Defender” or “Mac Security” tool. Just ignore it and don’t click anywhere on the pop-up. Use [x] button and if it doesn’t close the ad, Ctrl + click the browser icon to quit the browser completely.
QUICK TIP: Hold the Shift key when starting a new Safari session. This way all your previous tabs (including the ad pop-up) will not be reopened.
How to block pop-up ads in Safari
- Open Safari preferences (in the top menu)
- Go to the Security tab
- Tick “Block pop-up windows”
How to get rid of pop-ups in Chrome
- Open Chrome Settings (a three-dot icon)
- Click Advanced
- Go to Privacy and security > Content setting
- Locate the Popups tab and block them from appearing
Additionally, make sure your browser’s homepage is set to standard Google page or other trusted source.
Clean up extensions to remove adware from Mac
Apple lists several browser extensions as potentially malicious. The list includes:
Amazon Shopping Assistant by Spigot Inc.
Slick Savings by Spigot Inc.
FlashMall
Cinema-Plus
Slick Savings by Spigot Inc.
FlashMall
Cinema-Plus
This is just to give you an idea how different these adware extensions could be. But if you’re looking how to remove malware from Mac Safari browser, follow this path.
Remove extensions in Safari
- Go to Safari Preferences
- Choose the Extensions tab
- Select an extension and click Uninstall
Disable browser extensions in Chrome
And here’s how to remove malware from Mac Chrome. Open Chrome and click Window in the top menu. In the bottom of the list choose Extensions. This opens up the list of all your installed extensions. Now use a trash bin icon to remove the ones you suspect are adware viruses. Right after that, your Chrome experience should get much less distracting.
Just to be doubly sure, we recommend you to remove all the extensions you'll find. Later you can re-install each one separately.
Launch Agents and Daemons: Where else to look
So far we’ve covered browser Extensions, Applications, and Login Items trying to remove malware from your Mac. But these are not the only locations where malicious agents may be hiding. Another type of system services that could be affected by malware are the so-called Launch Agents and Daemons — yes, the name does derive from the word demon. Mac os catalina beta download. These are small helper programs that stealthily run in the background, like software updaters or automatic backups.
Safari Contract Cleaners
While Launch Agents and Daemons are two different entities, both can be infiltrated by malware. As it often happens, trojan apps would place their executable files within the Launch Agents folder. The result — the virus app launches automatically and potentially harms or steals your data.
How to remove daemons and agents from the Mac’s startup
- Click Finder
- Choose Go > Go to Folder
- Type in: /Library/LaunchDaemons
For Launch Agents, repeat the steps above, but this time search in 2 more locations:
/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/LaunchAgents
Inside you’ll find a bunch of PLIST files and if some of them look suspicious to you, delete them. Sure, the names of these files may not be very telling, but if you already know the problematic app that you are after, knowing this folder may help you fully extinguish it.
Don’t forget to reboot your Mac — until you do, all these files are still in memory.
One more way to remove daemons, agents, and plug-ins
If the manual path described here sounds too complicated, you can again be rescued by CleanMyMac X. This app has a special tool to remove malware Launch Agents.
- Download CleanMyMac X (it’s free to download).
- Install the app.
- Click Optimization tab > Launch Agents
- Click Perform.
By the way this app has a real-time anti-malware monitor. It monitors for any problematic apps that try to get into your Launch Agents. If it finds such, it will notify you and offer to remove the intruder.
If all else fails
Below a few more ideas to help you remove malware from Mac.
- Switch to a different user account and do a full system cleanup.
- Restore your Mac using Time Machine (to the point before it got infected).
- Update all your software , including the macOS.
Dmg events. OK, looks we’ve covered how to remove malware from Mac including both manual and software solutions. Hope your Mac stays virus-free and may you never click on those scary Mac alerts again.