According to security researchers, ProductiveOperation is an adware program. What does Adware do? Adware is form of malware that can cause issues for your MAC system. It can generate numerous additional pop-up, banner, pop-under and in-text link ads flooding on your browser; gather your personal data like login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your MAC running speed; give more chances for other adware, PUPs even malware to get on your Apple Mac.
Unwanted ads
Another reason why you need to delete the ProductiveOperation adware software is its online data-tracking activity. Adware can have spyware and keyloggers built into the program, leading to greater damage to your Apple Mac and possible invasion of your confidential information.
How does Adware get on your MAC system
Adware usually spreads as a part of free software and installs itself with or without your knowledge on your computer. This happens especially when you are installing a free programs. The program installer tricks you into accepting the install of third-party apps, that you do not really want. Moreover, some paid apps can also install third-party applications that you do not want! Therefore, always download freeware and paid software from reputable download web-sites. Use ONLY custom or manual setup option and never blindly press Next button.
Threat Summary
| Name | ProductiveOperation, Productive Operation 1.0 app |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popups, popup advertisements, pop up virus |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | ProductiveOperation removal guide |
How to remove ProductiveOperation adware software
Without a doubt, the ProductiveOperation adware is harmful to your MAC. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of this adware. To remove this adware software, you can use the manual removal instructions that are given below or free malware removal utility such as MalwareBytes Free (it is free). We recommend you use automatic removal solution that will allow you to delete ProductiveOperation easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in computer or in the case where adware is not uninstalled automatically. Some of the steps will require you to restart your MAC or exit this web site. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove ProductiveOperation, use the following steps:
- How to manually delete ProductiveOperation
- Automatic Removal of ProductiveOperation adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to manually delete ProductiveOperation
First of all, try to delete ProductiveOperation manually; to do this, follow the steps below. Of course, manual adware software removal requires more time and may not be suitable for those who are poorly versed in computer settings. In this case, we advise that you scroll down to the section that describes how to remove ProductiveOperation ads using free utilities.
Uninstall ProductiveOperation related software through the Finder
The best way to start the Mac cleanup is to delete unknown and questionable apps. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded programs can clean up the Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox from pop-up advertisements, hijackers and so on.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will open a list of all apps installed on your Apple Mac. Scroll through the all list, and delete any dubious and unknown software. Right click to suspicious program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove ProductiveOperation adware from Chrome
Like other modern web-browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby recover the internet browser’s settings like new tab page, search engine by default and start page that have been modified by the ProductiveOperation adware.
- First start the Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as shown on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this task is finished, your browser’s home page, search provider and newtab will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Delete ProductiveOperation from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your web browser is hijacked by ProductiveOperation or you have unwanted addo-ons or toolbars on your web-browser, which installed by an malicious software.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, select it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to delete all unknown plugins from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove ProductiveOperation from Mozilla Firefox
If the Mozilla Firefox internet browser is affected by ProductiveOperation and you want to restore the Firefox settings back to their original state, then you should follow the few simple steps below. When using the reset feature, your personal information such as passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
Launch the Mozilla Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the internet browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will show the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed in the figure below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The Firefox will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the ProductiveOperation adware. When, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of ProductiveOperation adware
If your MAC OS is still infected with ProductiveOperation , then the best way of detection and removal is to run an antimalware scan on the MAC. Download free malicious software removal utilities below and launch a full system scan. It will help you get rid of all components of the adware from hardisk and Windows registry.
Get rid of ProductiveOperation with MalwareBytes Free
We advise using the MalwareBytes Free. You can download and install MalwareBytes AntiMalware to locate adware and thereby get rid of ProductiveOperation ads from your web browsers. When installed and updated, this free malware remover automatically identifies and removes all threats exist on the computer.
- Installing the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes Free on your Apple Mac by clicking on the link below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20841 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- When downloading is finished, please close all applications and open windows on your MAC. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
- The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will run and show the main window.
- Further, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the ProductiveOperation adware. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
- Once the scan get completed, the results are displayed in the scan report.
- You may delete threats (move to Quarantine) by simply press the “Remove Selected Items” button.
- Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.
How to stay safe online
It’s also critical to protect your web-browsers from harmful web pages and ads by using an ad blocker program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malware, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard may also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard on your MS Windows Desktop by clicking on the following link.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the downloading process is finished, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guidance. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick instructions that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted pop up advertisements, block malicious and misleading web-pages.
Finish words
Now your MAC system should be free of the ProductiveOperation adware software. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up advertisements and intrusive malicious webpages) and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adware softwares and other malicious software).
If you are still having problems while trying to delete ProductiveOperation ads from the Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox, then ask for help here here.
