It pretends to be a cleaning utility for your Mac but it's nothing of the sort. Here's how to remove Advanced Mac Cleaner and those irritating.

A phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender 'anti-virus' software to solve the issue.
This “anti-virus” software is malware (i.e. malicious software). Its ultimate goal is to get the user's credit card information which may be used for fraudulent purposes.
The most common names for this malware are MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.

Apple released a free software update (Security Update 2011-003) that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants.
The Resolution section below also provides step-by-step instructions on how to avoid or manually remove this malware.

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Resolution

How to avoid installing this malware

If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using. If a normal attempt at quitting the browser doesn’t work, then Force Quit the browser.

In some cases, your browser may automatically download and launch the installer for this malicious software. If this happens, cancel the installation process; do not enter your administrator password. Delete the installer immediately using the steps below.

1. Go into the Downloads folder, or your preferred download location.
2. Drag the installer to the Trash.
3. Empty the Trash.

How to remove this malware

If the malware has been installed, we recommend the following actions:

• Do not provide your credit card information under any circumstances.
• Use the Removal Steps below.

Removal steps

1. Move or close the Scan Window.
2. Go to the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and launch Activity Monitor.
3. Choose All Processes from the pop up menu in the upper right corner of the window.
4. Under the Process Name column, look for the name of the app and click to select it; common app names include: MacDefender, MacSecurity or MacProtector.
5. Click the Quit Process button in the upper left corner of the window and select Quit.
6. Quit Activity Monitor application.
7. Open the Applications folder.
8. Locate the app ex. MacDefender, MacSecurity, MacProtector or other name.
9. Drag to Trash, and empty Trash.

Malware also installs a login item in your account in System Preferences. Removal of the login item is not necessary, but you can remove it by following the steps below.

• Open System Preferences, select Accounts, then Login Items
• Select the name of the app you removed in the steps above ex. MacDefender, MacSecurity, MacProtector
• Click the minus button

Use the steps in the “How to avoid installing this malware” section above to remove the installer from the download location.

Note: Apple provides security updates for the Mac exclusively through Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads site. User should exercise caution any time they are asked to enter sensitive personal information online.

How to remove Advanced Mac Tuneup from Mac?

What is Advanced Mac Tuneup?

Advanced Mac Tuneup is a dubious application that claims to enhance system performance by optimizing and removing all threats/malware. Initially, Advanced Mac Tuneup may seem legitimate, however, developers promote this app using a deceptive marketing method called 'bundling', and thus it often infiltrates systems without permission. Therefore, Advanced Mac Tuneup is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

One of the main Advanced Mac Tuneup features is malware removal. After performing a system scan, users are presented with many potential infections/threats that must be eliminated immediately, however, since the free version of Advanced Mac Tuneup is incapable of doing this, users are encouraged to purchase the 'full version'. Be aware, however, that it is currently not confirmed if this application is reliable. There are dozens of fake system optimization tools that deliver false positives simply to trick users into purchasing so-called full versions. There is a high probability that your computer is optimized and virus free. We recommend that you to uninstall this application. As mentioned above, Advanced Mac Tuneup is distributed using the 'bundling' method. Therefore, developers typically 'bundle' several potentially unwanted applications at once. Advanced Mac Tuneup might have been deployed together with adware or browser hijackers. These apps are designed to deliver intrusive advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and gather various information about your browsing activity. Therefore, as well as removing Advanced Mac Tuneup, you should also eliminate other dubious applications/browser plug-ins.

Potentially unwanted applications are all very similar. By offering 'useful functionality', these apps attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Most deliver no real value for regular users. Potentially unwanted applications deliver intrusive advertisements, gather sensitive information, cause unwanted redirects, and, in some cases, promote in-app purchases. In doing so, PUAs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?

Advanced Mac Tuneup is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, as mentioned above, it is also distributed using the 'bundling' method - stealth installation of third party software with regular (usually free) applications. Developers do not adequately disclose PUA installations. Therefore, most are hidden within 'Custom/Advanced' settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users rush these procedures and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections - the key to caution is safety. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included dialogs. Also opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. You are advised to download programs only from their official sources, using direct download links. Potentially unwanted applications are also distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious sites and run scripts that download/install malware. Most seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.) If you experience these redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser add-ons. If your computer is already infected with PUPs, we recommend running a scan withCombo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of Advanced Mac Tuneup application (GIF):

Updated version of Advanced Mac Tuneup unwanted application:

Website promoting Advanced Mac Tuneup PUA:

Official Advanced Mac Tuneup installation setup:

Fake Adobe Flash Player installer that 'bundles' Advanced Mac Tuneup unwanted application:

Another deceptive free software installer bundling this potentially unwanted application:

Another installation setup distributing Advanced Mac Tuneup unwanted application:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Advanced Mac Tuneup adds itself to the list of applications that automatically run upon each user log in. Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

• Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups.
• Click your account (also known as Current User).
• Click Login Items.
• Look for the 'Advanced Mac Tuneup' entry. Select it, and click the '-' button to remove it.

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. Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

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 Advanced Mac Tuneup unwanted application 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.

Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

Remove advanced mac tuneup potentially unwanted application 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.

Advanced Mac Tuneup potentially unwanted application removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove advanced mac tuneup potentially unwanted application 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 advanced mac tuneup potentially unwanted application 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 advanced mac tuneup potentially unwanted application related Google Chrome add-ons:

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.

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