What Is AMCleaner on Mac?
AMCleaner is a potentially unwanted application that affects Mac devices. It has been noticed with many different names including MacMin and VindInstaller.
AMCleaner is a type of software that may push different ads related to bogus sites. Those sites may be dangerous for your Mac because they could promote scams or even viruses. This is the primary reason why you should consider an immediate removal of AMCleaner adware from your Mac.
This article has been created with the primary purpose to help you understand what is AMCleaner and how you can remove it from your Mac.
AMCleaner Summary
| Name | AMCleaner also known as PUP.MacOS.AMCleaner.G |
| Type | PUP, Risky Software |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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AMCleaner Mac Adware Overview
AMCleaner may start on your Mac as a result of bundling activities. This means that its activation file may be part of some free apps installers. You may have downloaded such an app from the web. the “Advanced” install mode is never to be disregarded as it may help you to prevent the unnoticed installation of undesired apps like AMCleaner on your Mac.
As we mentioned AMCleaner is not a single program. It is part of a series of programs that are all tied to the same developer. Examples include MacVeXe, fake MPlayerX package, MacMin, and other apps. Once launched on a macOS, AMCleaner may create a task that runs a file in the following Mac directory:
$HOME/Library/run-app.sh
AMCleaner apps often claim to be legitimate and useful. Instead of assisting you to choose good offers and discounts for any products, however, those apps aim to use trackers to get information from your browsing activity. Collected may be:
- Online clicks.
- Search history.
- Browsing history.
- Bookmarked sites.
AMCleaner may also attack your web browsers. Some reports indicate that the app modifies the settings of Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. These modifications may include altered browser settings. The questionable application may replace your home page, new tab page, and set a questionable search engine.
The primary concern related to this risky application is tied to the ads it displays. Once added on your computer, it could start to show the following types of advertisements:
- Pop-up ads.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Push pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
These ads help AMCleaner to monetize its presence on your Mac. They may generate income via pay-per-click schemes. The problem with those ads is that they could also lead you to websites that may be scam sites, phishing pages, or even virus URLs. This is why apps like this one, are considered indirectly harmful for your Mac, and their removal is strongly advisable.
Remove AMCleaner from Your Mac
In order to remove AMCleaner adware along with all entries created on the system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you with both manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. 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 to the automatic part of the guide.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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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 AMCleaner Adware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AMCleaner Adware, 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 AMCleaner Adware 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 AMCleaner Adware:
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 AMCleaner Adware. 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 AMCleaner Adware. 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 AMCleaner Adware 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 AMCleaner Adware. 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 AMCleaner Adware – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AMCleaner Adware-FAQ
What is AMCleaner Adware on your Mac?
The AMCleaner Adware 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 AMCleaner Adware?
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 AMCleaner Adware?
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 AMCleaner Adware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AMCleaner Adware 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 AMCleaner Adware?
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 AMCleaner Adware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.