What Is ConnectionOptimizer?
If you find that your Mac has been compromised by an unwanted program called ConnectionOptimizer, act promptly and remove the culprit as soon as possible.
ConnectionOptimizer is a member of the AdLoad family that has been causing issues for Mac users since at least 2018. Adware, short for advertising-supported software, is known for delivering unwanted advertisements to users, often without their consent. In the case of ConnectionOptimizer, users may find their online experience compromised as the program injects advertisements into their browsing sessions. Also note that ConnectionOptimizer may come in the form of a suspicious browser extension.
AdLoad family members are infamous for their intrusive nature, tampering with system and browser settings to display pop-ups, banners, and other forms of unwanted advertising. These programs may also inject a backdoor component and drop additional adware onto the targeted macOS.
Since ConnectionOptimizer is a relatively high security risk to your Mac, its removal is recommended.
ConnectionOptimizer Details
| Name | ConnectionOptimizer a.k.a. Trojan.Adload |
| Type | Adware / Potentially Unwanted Application / Mac Virus |
| Removal Time | Less than 15 minutes |
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What Does ConnectionOptimizer Do?
ConnectionOptimizer operates as both a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware, flooding you with an excessive number of online advertisements. Once it infiltrates a Mac, it reconfigures the settings of popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari so that it can display ads. Consequently, this can trigger a noticeable decline in Mac performance and speed, simultaneously exposing you to scams and phishing pages.
Moreover, another disconcerting activity on your device is data collection. Employing an array of tracking technologies, the program harvests sensitive data from the affected browsers, subsequently transmitting it to its servers.
How Did ConnectionOptimizer Get Installed on Your Mac?
Adware programs like ConnectionOptimizer often employ various deceptive techniques to infiltrate systems. Common methods include bundling with free software or downloads, misleading advertisements, or exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software.
One possibility is that ConnectionOptimizer was bundled with another program you recently downloaded and installed. Some free software packages include additional, unwanted applications that users may overlook during the installation process. It’s essential to carefully read through each step of the installation and opt-out of any additional software.
Another avenue for adware installation is through deceptive advertisements or fake software updates, such as Adobe Flash player is out of date. Clicking on misleading ads or installing updates from untrustworthy sources can lead to the unintentional download and installation of adware.
Is ConnectionOptimizer a Computer Virus?
While not classified as a typical computer virus, it is highly recommended to remove the program from your Mac to ensure online security. The program can still pose risks due to its adware characteristics, potential unwanted program activities, and backdoor capabilities.
How to Remove ConnectionOptimizer from Your Mac
To protect your Mac and thoroughly eliminate the ConnectionOptimizer “virus”, running an anti-malware program is advisable. This proactive measure will keep you safe in the future. The removal steps below will help you to remove ConnectionOptimizer and all its malicious files from your Mac.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove ConnectionOptimizer files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ConnectionOptimizer, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall ConnectionOptimizer and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to ConnectionOptimizer:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to ConnectionOptimizer. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to ConnectionOptimizer. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove ConnectionOptimizer via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as ConnectionOptimizer. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove ConnectionOptimizer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ConnectionOptimizer-FAQ
What is ConnectionOptimizer on your Mac?
The ConnectionOptimizer threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like ConnectionOptimizer?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from ConnectionOptimizer?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the ConnectionOptimizer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ConnectionOptimizer how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on ConnectionOptimizer?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the ConnectionOptimizer threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.