Cannot Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner

Remove Advanced Mac Cleaner rogue optimization tool from Mac OS X to stop its frustrating alerts and undo the concomitant bad effects it calls forth.

How to remove Advanced Mac Cleaner from your Mac or PC? To uninstall Advanced Mac Cleaner remove it from Applications, then delete all leftover files and folders. In our view, there are 2 products that potentially have Advanced Mac Cleaner in their database. You can try to use them for removing Advanced Mac Cleaner. Recommended Solution. Oct 10, 2019  Download Advanced Mac Cleaner Removal Tool for Mac Download Combo Cleaner. To remove Advanced Mac Cleaner completely, we recommend you to use Combo Cleaner. It can help you remove files, folders and registry keys of Advanced Mac Cleaner and uninstall hijackers, toolbars and unwanted add-ons from the Safari browser. To summarize, CleanGeeker is used to optimize and organize your Mac so that it remains clean and fast as a thunder. CleanGeeker - Force to Delete Apps on Mac, Easy and Safe! Locate all the installed apps on your Mac and shows them in a list.

Update: October 2019

Advanced Mac Cleaner usually appears on Mac boxes out of the blue and floods the victim’s experience with annoying warning messages. Also known as Mac Cleaner, it dupes the user into thinking that their machine has got numerous problems hindering normal performance. According to the fake alerts, the operating system’s productivity is impacted by junk files, duplicate objects, unneeded login items, crammed up cache, trash and logs, as well as rogue apps that are claimed to occupy excessive hard disk space and thus reduce the processing speed as well as responsiveness to commands. The number of these wrongfully reported items is flagrant, going over 1000 even on a well-tuned or new Mac computer.

It’s not a commonplace distribution practice that’s leveraged by Advanced Mac Cleaner makers to promote their nasty brainchild. A great deal of infected users have caught this pseudo optimizer when installing free tools such as FileZilla or updating Adobe Flash Player via downloads from unofficial sources. In these cases, the setup wizard prompts you that an extra applet will be installed as a bonus to make the Mac run smoother. Some people are prudent enough to avoid such offers, which are generally known to deliver adware programs, but this caution doesn’t always help. Unless the bundle is manually unchecked and thus opted out of from the start, Advanced Mac Cleaner will still be installed in the background.

Furthermore, the culprit may additionally cross-promote affiliated scareware like Mac Adware Cleaner by means of prompts on its GUI. To add insult to injury, it may hijack the victim’s default web browser and redirect their traffic to landing pages pushing its licensed version or a copy of another rogue system utility, such as Mac Tonic or Mac Auto Fixer. The malware is also known to propagate alongside browser redirect viruses and persistent adware apps that affect the victim’s web surfing experience. One of the notorious campaigns pushing the scareware in question relies on sketchy browser alerts that report alleged infection with a combo of 3 viruses called Tapsnake, CronDNS, and Dubfishicv. The victims are redirected to phony web pages that mimic AppleCare and insist on urgent download of Advanced Mac Cleaner to sort out the problem that isn’t there in the first place. It appears that the gang behind the rogue program in question is deploying a well-orchestrated malicious marketing campaign with a distinct flavor of social engineering.

The user may be unaware of this forcible setup from the get-go, but not until a message like the one above pops up. It says that a huge number of issues have been found, specifying this information as follows “Issues may include duplicate files, system & internet junk, rogue software & recoverable drive space. Fix and enjoy a performance boost.” The ‘Start Repair’ button, if clicked, takes you to the junk application’s main interface that displays high improvement potential for each cluster of problems. Obviously, cleaning the purported bugs is a paid service. At that point, it’s reasonable to contemplate over what’s happening: you are being told to pay for rectifying issues that do not exist. It’s certainly the best move to get rid of the Advanced Mac Cleaner scam rather than follow the evildoers’ recommendations.

Another flavor of this scareware problem surfaced in October 2019. It was precipitated by a release of Apple’s macOS Catalina 10.15. After upgrading their operating system to the new version, numerous users started experiencing obnoxious popup activity with Advanced Mac Cleaner at its core. The annoying notifications say, “helperamc will damage your computer. You should move it to the Bin.” The process mentioned on these alerts is spawned by the rogue system tool under scrutiny and can be seen in the Activity Monitor, along with other related executables called “amcuninstall” and “hlpramc”.

Here is what’s happening: the latest macOS build, evidently, leverages an improved algorithm to identify potentially harmful apps. In particular, it will flag a program as a malicious one if it was installed on an unknown date, if its installer was downloaded from an unverified source, or in case some other telltale signs of sketchy activity are spotted. To let the users know about such suspicious objects, the system displays the above-mentioned popup dialogs. In this situation, the infection is probably in a dormant state and doesn’t manifest itself conspicuously. The Catalina update has simply unearthed the issue due to new security perks it delivers. Unfortunately, although the warnings include a “Move to Bin” button, it doesn’t work as intended. Therefore, the victims have to do their homework and find a way to remove Advanced Mac Cleaner despite its persistence.

Advanced Mac Cleaner manual removal for Mac

The steps listed below will walk you through the removal of this application. Be sure to follow the instructions in the order specified.

  1. Open up the Utilities folder as shown below
  2. Locate the Activity Monitor icon on the screen and double-click on it
  3. Under Activity Monitor, find the entry for Advanced Mac Cleaner, select it and click Quit Process
  4. A dialog should pop up, asking if you are sure you would like to quit the Advanced Mac Cleaner (it can be manifested as an object named helperamc) executable. Select the Force Quit option
  5. Expand the Go menu in Apple Finder and select Go to Folder
  6. Type or paste the following string in the folder search dialog: /Library/LaunchAgents
  7. Once the LaunchAgentsdirectory opens up, find the following entries in it and move them to Trash:
    • com.pcv.hlpramc.plist
    • com.pcv.helperamc.plist
    • com.pcv.amcuninstall.plist
    • com.PCvark.AdvancedMacCleaner.plist
  8. Use the Go to Folder lookup feature again to navigate to the folder named ~/Library/LaunchAgents. When this path opens, look for the same entries (see above) and send them to Trash
  9. Similarly, go to the ~Library/Application Support folder. Locate and move the following entries to Trash:
    • Advanced Mac Cleaner
    • amc
  10. Click the Go button again, but this time select Applications on the list. Find the entry for Advanced Mac Cleaner entry on the interface, right-click on it and select Move to Trash. If user password is required, go ahead and enter it
  11. Now go to Apple Menu and pick the System Preferences option
  12. Select Accounts and click the Login Items button. Mac OS will come up with the list of the items that launch when the box is started up. Locate Advanced Mac Cleaner there and click on the '-' button

Use automatic tool to completely uninstall Advanced Mac Cleaner from your Mac

  1. Download and install MacBooster application (read review). The tool provides both optimization and security features for your Mac. Before you get down to obliterating Advanced Mac Cleaner virus proper, consider checking your machine for other security risks and performance issues by hitting the Scan button. Download Now
  2. Proceed to the Uninstaller feature, find Advanced Mac Cleaner on the Applications list and have MacBooster completely eliminate all components of the app from your Mac by clicking Uninstall in the bottom part of the GUI. Doing so will ensure all components of the malware and its remainders, which may have not been removed in the manual way, will be thoroughly cleaned up.

FAQ

Unlike benign software, Advanced Mac Cleaner is a stubborn app that attempts to complicate the uninstall process. It means that you need to circumvent its hindrance before deleting the associated components and files. This adds an extra step to the removal logic. In most cases, the following workflow does the trick:

  • Open the Activity Monitor, find an entry named “helperamc”, “hlpramc” or another process with “amc” part in its name, and quit the malicious executable.
  • Look for related files (com.pcv.hlpramc.plist, com.pcv.helperamc.plist, com.pcv.amcuninstall.plist, com.PCvark.AdvancedMacCleaner.plist, Advanced Mac Cleaner, amc) in the LaunchAgents and Application Support folders. Remove these objects if found.
  • Go to the Finder and select Applications. Spot ‘Advanced Mac Cleaner’ app and move it to the Trash. Empty the Trash when done.

Ideally, this technique should eradicate the scareware, but with the caveat that the files may vary as new versions of Advanced Mac Cleaner appear in the wild. Stay tuned for updates in the guide above to make sure your removal efforts are effective.

Advanced Mac Cleaner is a rogue system utility that wrongfully purports to look for and fix Mac performance issues and privacy risks. Instead of carrying through with these promises, it reports non-existent problems and tries to pressure the user into buying its licensed version to unlock the repair features. This scareware is installed behind the user’s back, usually arriving with complex app bundles camouflaged as one useful program.

At first sight, it may seem that the impact of Advanced Mac Cleaner is restricted to annoying scan reports and scary-looking popup alerts. That’s a misconception. This fake optimizer isn’t safe to use, because it can harvest your sensitive information and send it to the cybercriminals in charge of the campaign. Your usernames and passwords, as well as credit card information, are potentially at risk as long as this pest is running on your Mac.

No, it’s not. The huge amount of negative feedback about this program speaks volumes about its dirty practices, not to mention the obvious elements of foul play in its modus operandi. Advanced Mac Cleaner is distributed via covert software bundles and fake virus alerts shown on numerous malicious websites. Once installed, it deluges the host system with deceptive scans and popup alerts reporting hundreds or even thousands of imaginary performance and security issues. The objective of this brainwashing is to coerce the victim to purchase the app’s license, which is supposedly a prerequisite of addressing the detected threats. Another shady quirk is that Advanced Mac Cleaner is harder to uninstall than regular Mac applications. All in all, this scareware is neither legit nor safe.

How to remove Mac Auto Fixer from Mac?

Cannot Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner

What is Mac Auto Fixer?

Mac Auto Fixer is a potentially unwanted application similar to Advanced Mac Cleaner, Mac Tonic, and Mac Mechanic. Developers of this application use a deceptive marketing method called 'bundling' to proliferate this software. Mac Auto Fixer installs commonly installs on users' computers without their consent. When browsing the internet, they are presented with a pop-up ad stating that they need to update Flash player, or that their Mac is infected with 3 viruses. These pop-ups are designed to trick users into downloading and installing the Mac Auto Fixer potentially unwanted application.

Cant Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner

Mac Auto Fixer starts automatically on each system startup and performs a computer scan. After a quick scan, Mac users are presented with a list of errors (security, smart scan, and privacy-related). If the user clicks the 'Fix all items' button, they are asked to pay 118 Euros for a 2-year license. While it is hard to determine if the scan results are legitimate, the way in which this program is installed on computers is cause for concern. You should not trust or purchase this potentially unwanted application. Note that, in many cases, deceptive Flash Player (and other free software) installers are used to distribute this unwanted application, and they also promote browser hijackers (for example weknow.ac, anysearchmanager, safefinder, etc.) and adware (for example MyCouponize) infections. Thus, apart from seeing Mac Auto Fixer pop-ups with dubious scan results, users are also redirected to unwanted websites and experience rogue ads when browsing the Internet.

Threat Summary:
NameMac Auto Fixer virus
Threat TypeMac malware, Mac virus
Detection NamesAvast (MacOS:AMC-DK [PUP]), Avira (PUA/OSX.GT32SupportGeeks.hflsn), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.12496), ESET-NOD32 (a variant of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.B potentially unwanted), Full List (VirusTotal)
SymptomsYour Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methodsDeceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
DamageInternet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Removal

To eliminate Mac Auto Fixer virus our malware researchers recommend scanning your computer with Combo Cleaner.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner
Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

Today, there are many potentially unwanted applications that use the bundling marketing method to install on systems. Their main task is to infiltrate Macs, perform dubious system scans, and display a large list of errors, thus tricking computer users into purchasing their license key to eliminate the supposedly-detected issues. If you see Mac Auto Fixer on your computer, ignore any system scans and error pop-ups. Remove this software from your Mac.

How did Mac Auto Fixer install on my computer?

Mac Auto Fixer is distributed using a marketing method called bundling. Deceptive free software installers are created to hide additional software installation within them. For example, Mac users browsing the Internet are presented with a rogue pop-up ad that suggest download of a Flash Player update - it states that the current version is outdated (this is the first part of the scam), and users who believe it, go on to download the Flash Player installation file. After launching the installer, many users tend to rush through installation steps by clicking the 'next' button without paying much attention to the installation steps. This is the second part of the scam - the modified Flash player installer hides additional software installation within the options (commonly called 'advanced' or 'custom'). Rather than installing a Flash Player update, this situation leads to installation of various potentially unwanted applications, browser hijackers, and adware.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The best way to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications, including Mac Auto Fixer, is to pay close attention to all software installation steps. When installing free. software downloaded from the Internet, it is very important to inspect each installation step. Clicking the advanced or custom installation options can reveal various options to uncheck installation of additional (commonly, unwanted) applications. Also, to avoid installation of unwanted applications, do not trust Internet pop-ups that inform you of computer infections or out-dated software. If you experience 'Your Mac is infected' pop-ups, bear in mind that there is no way for a website to detect if your Mac is infected. The 'Update your Flash Player' pop-ups are mostly fake. You should download Flash Player and other free software from developers' websites only. If your Mac is already infected with Mac Auto Fixer, we recommend running a scan withCombo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this potentially unwanted application.

Official website of Mac Auto Fixer unwanted application:

Mac Auto Fixer unwanted application installation setup:

Fake 'Your Mac in infected' pop-up promoting installation of this unwanted application:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Mac Auto Fixer 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 'Mac Auto Fixer' entry. Select it, and click the '-' button to remove it.

Instant automatic removal of Mac Auto Fixer virus: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 Auto Fixer virus. 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 Mac Auto Fixer related files and folders from OSX.
  • STEP 2. Remove adware from Safari.
  • STEP 3. Remove adware from Google Chrome.
  • STEP 4. Remove adware from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Mac Auto Fixer unwanted application removal:

Remove Mac Auto Fixer-related 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 mac auto fixer virus 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:

How To Remove Advanced Mac Cleaner

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.

Cannot Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner

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 Auto Fixer virus removal from Internet browsers:

Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner Pop-up

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove mac auto fixer virus 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 auto fixer virus 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 auto fixer virus related Google Chrome add-ons:

Cannot Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner Virus

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.

Cannot Delete Advanced Mac Cleaner A Scam

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