OpticalTransaction Adware on Mac – What Is It?
What is OpticalTransaction? Shortly said, OpticalTransaction is a program reported to act like both adware and browser hijacker, specifically designed to affect Apple Mac devices. Its main function is to deliver sponsored content and ads which may open dangerous sites that pose serious risk to the overall macOS security.
In addition, the behavior of OpticalTransaction is really annoying. Your search engine may be replaced by a hoax one while your browser is flooded with various ads. Although PUPs like OpticalTransaction are not considered malicious, they still belong to the so-called Mac viruses category.
Security experts recommend that affected users should remove the OpticalTransaction adware from their Macs. Such apps should be removed before causing further security and privacy issues.
OpticalTransaction Summary
| Name | OpticalTransaction |
| Type | Adware, Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable application that appears in the Applications list on your Mac. It performs browser modifications without your knowledge. The program may hijack Safari, Chrome and other browsers installed on your Mac. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser may be set to display a hoax search engine. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Corrupted Websites, Fake Flash Player Updates |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss OpticalTransaction. |
OpticalTransaction Mac Adware – What Does It Do?
The potentially unwanted program OpticalTransaction affects different macOS versions to perform specific changes that enable it to monetize its presences. Adware programs are lurking around the web and could be found in the installers of various free apps as well as on shady websites. Typically, they get installed on computer operating systems without revealing their true essence. That’s why most of the affected users don’t notice them until they see them present in the Applications section.
The installation of OpticalTransaction adware program on your Mac may cause issues related to your browser’s performance. The program may modify main browser settings and then start redirecting the homepages, new tab pages and search engines to suspicious websites or hoax search engines.
An increased number of ads may start loading on all web pages you visit as well. The following types of ads may be presented by OpticalTransation Mac adware:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
- Push notifications.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Ad-supported search results.
Yet another issue that is likely to occur after an unnoticed installation of OpticalTransaction adware is privacy violation. The majority of PUPs for Mac activate different tracking technologies like cookies, scripts, web beacons, etc. to collect technical and personal data. The owners of these suspicious apps tend to misuse harvested data for configuring aggressive advertising campaigns. The campaigns are again realized via the undeisred apps installed on Mac devices.
Beware of suspicious ads tha push supposedly useful free applications. Unwanted apps like OpticalTransaction are sometimes exploited for the propagation of additional bogus programs. Examples of such programs are the Search Baron and Search Marquis.
The presence of OpticalTransaction adware on your Mac is a sure sign that you should download a reliable anti-malware tool that will identify the real macOS security status. Any malicious/harmful files detected by the program should be deleted as soon as possible. Otherwise, both your system and the data you store on it remain vulnerable to future attacks.
How to Remove OpticalTransaction Adware from Mac
To remove OpticalTransaction adware along with all entries it creates on the system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you with manual and automatic removal approaches. To entirely eliminate files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. You may not be able to manually remove some of the adware files, except you are an experienced computer user. So the manual adware removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate the guide’s automatic part.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
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An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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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 OpticalTransaction files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as OpticalTransaction, 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 OpticalTransaction 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 OpticalTransaction:
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 OpticalTransaction. 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 OpticalTransaction. 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 OpticalTransaction 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 OpticalTransaction. 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 OpticalTransaction – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
OpticalTransaction-FAQ
What is OpticalTransaction on your Mac?
The OpticalTransaction 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 OpticalTransaction?
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 OpticalTransaction?
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 OpticalTransaction Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this OpticalTransaction 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 OpticalTransaction?
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 OpticalTransaction threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.