How to remove mac-cleaner[.]space from Mac?

What is mac-cleaner[.]space?

Mac-cleaner[.]space is a scam website, similar to apple.com-mac-optimization.xyz, apple.com-shield-guard.live, apple.com-mac-optimizer.icu and many others. It is designed to lure users into downloading various nonfunctional cleaning tools for the MacOS (Mac operating system). The advertised software can supposedly remove various system invasions/infections, however it is most likely illegitimate and therefore nonoperational. It should be mentioned, that this site may also proliferate PUAs (potentially unwanted applications) with different 'features' from Mac cleaners, though any such would also be fraudulent. What is also noteworthy, is that visitors to mac-cleaner[.]space rarely access it intentionally and in most case are redirected by intrusive ads or adware-type PUAs already present in their device. The latter of which, require no express user permission to invade their systems.

Once accessed, mac-cleaner[.]space offers to download/install some sort of Mac cleaner (usually, with advertised features, such as: file protection and organization, system memory optimization and similar). Relevant examples of such include: Cleanup My Mac, MacOptimizer, Advanced Mac Cleaner and others. After clicking the download/install button, maccleaner.pkg file is downloaded. This file is used for installation of unwanted software (like the examples given above) onto the MacOS. This file (and others of its kind) are spread through various scam websites, which can present innocuous looking products or warn of present dangers and offer software capable of removing them. Additionally, maccleaner.pkg can be downloaded along with fake Flash Player updaters, the latter - also nonfunctional. It can also be disguised as the installation file for other software, however instead of installing the desired content, it installs unwanted apps. All PUAs are designed to appear highly legitimate. Fake Mac cleaning tools are designed to look similar to actual cleaning software. When opened they display long lists of various issues (e.g. an abundance of unused additions or an excess of temporary files, a variety of system infections and etc.), however all the problems they show are not actually present. It must be emphasized, that these cleaning tools are fraudulent - in other words, they do not have any system scanning or threat-removal capabilities. In general, undesirable applications are rarely functional. Instead, they generate unauthorized redirects to untrustworthy and malignant sites, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g. pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, etc.) and some can even gather vulnerable information. By spying on users' browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search engine history), they can attain personal information (IP address, geolocation and real-life user identity details). This data is then sold to third parties (possibly, cyber criminals) and it can end up serving criminal purposes. Therefore, PUAs can cause serious system invasions/infections and lead to severe privacy issues (even culminate in identity theft). To ensure device and user safety all dubious applications must be removed immediately.

Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox – this should complete Mac Cleanup Pro removal. After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware.

There are thousands of scam websites out there, all advertising 'useful' products and/or warning of 'present' threats. Such sites should not be trusted and no content presented there installed. Sites like mac-cleaner[.]space spread PUA installer files and by extension unwanted apps themselves. These applications are also released by the thousand. They can wear various disguises, offer wide varieties of features - however, they always operate in similar fashion. In most cases, the promised features rarely work as advertised, if they are functional at all. It must be stressed that the only purpose of these rogue apps is generating revenue for their developers; to users they have no genuine value. PUAs cause redirects, run invasive ad campaigns and track data.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

• Stop Other Kinds of Pop-ups in CCleaner. CCleaner has also many other kinds of pop-ups which can appear on the lower right corner. If you want to disable all these pop-ups, here’s how to do it. Step 1: Click the Smart Cleaning tab, and from the right-hand side of Smart Cleaning tab, uncheck Tell me when there are junk files to clean option.
• Virus Name: Mac Ads Cleaner Pop-up Categories: Browser Redirect, Browser Hijacker, Adware Mac Ads Cleaner Pop-up is regarded as a redirect virus and it is originated form an adware which injects its code on the browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or safari.
• You don’t need a new Mac. You need MacKeeper. It turns out you can teach an old Mac new tricks. With a suite of simple but powerful cleaning tools, your Mac will feel like it just came out of the box. Clean up my Mac.
• Remove MacCleaner pop-up ads (Virus removal steps) There are a simple manual steps below which will assist you to get rid of MacCleaner pop-up ads from your Apple Mac computer. The most effective method to remove this adware is to follow the manual removal steps and then use MalwareBytes Free automatic tool (it is free).

PUAs can be installed by users themselves or without their consent and/or knowledge. They can be downloaded/installed under the guise of a legitimate application, as well as together with ordinary software. 'Bundling' is a false marketing tactic, by which desired programs are packed together with PUAs. When installing, by ignoring terms and possible options, users can miss the presence of these apps and how they intend to function. Step skipping and usage of installation pre-sets are also reasons for various system invasions. Clicking on intrusive advertisements can trigger them to execute scripts, designed to autonomously download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is highly recommended to use only official and verified sources for downloading (ideally, via direct downloads). As opposed to third part downloaders, which are more likely to offer content bundled with PUAs. Installation advices include: reading terms and exploring possible options, using 'Custom/Advanced' settings and opting-out/declining additional apps/features. When browsing, users should avoid suspicious sites and adverts. Intrusive advertisements can appear ordinary and harmless, however the untrustworthy sites they redirect to (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.) can be used a sign of their inauthenticity. After encountering such ads/redirects, users should check their system and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of 'Mac-cleaner[.]space' scam (GIF):

Screenshot of maccleaner.pkg installer used to spread Cleanup My Mac unwanted application:

Screenshot of Cleanup My Mac unwanted application:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for MacBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.

Quick menu:

• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted applications promoted via mac-cleaner.space website using Combo Cleaner:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your 'Applications' folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select 'Applications'. In the applications folder, look for 'MPlayerX','NicePlayer', or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.

Remove mac-cleaner.space pop-up related files and folders:

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents

In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support

In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:

In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents

In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.

Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons

In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, 'com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click 'Start Combo Scan' button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays 'no threats found' - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

mac-cleaner.space pop-up removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove mac-cleaner.space pop-up related Safari extensions:

Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select 'Safari' and click 'Preferences...'.

In the preferences window, select 'Extensions' and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the 'Uninstall' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove mac-cleaner.space pop-up related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the 'Open Menu' (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose 'Add-ons'.

Choose the 'Extensions' tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Remove' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Remove mac-cleaner.space pop-up related Google Chrome add-ons:

Advanced Mac Cleaner Pop Up

Open Google Chrome and click the 'Chrome menu' (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose 'More Tools' and select 'Extensions'.

In the 'Extensions' window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Trash' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

Mac Cleaner Popup Virus

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.