According to security researchers, OptimalSync is an adware program. Adware is something which developed in order to display third-party advertisements to the user without asking his permission. Adware takes control of internet browsers and redirects them to unwanted web sites every time you surf the World Wide Web. Adware can end up on your MAC system in various methods. Most commonly is when you install free programs and forget to uncheck the box for the optional applications installation.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your personal information? OptimalSync can be used to gather and transmit sensitive information without your knowledge. Adware can track information about web-sites visited, browser and system information, and your MAC system IP address.
How does OptimalSync get on your MAC
The majority of adware gets on your computer as a part of free programs or even paid software that World Wide Web users can easily download online. The setup packages of such programs, in many cases, clearly indicate that they will install additional software. The option is given to users to block the install of any bundled applications. So, in order to avoid the install of any adware software: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, choose only Custom or Advanced installation option and reject all bundled programs in which you are unsure.
Threat Summary
| Name | OptimalSync, Optimal Sync 1.0 app |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), popup virus, pop up advertisements, pop-ups |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | OptimalSync removal guide |
How to Remove OptimalSync adware
There are a few methods that can be used to remove OptimalSync adware. But, not all potentially unwanted apps such as this adware can be completely removed using only manual solutions. Most commonly you are not able to delete any adware software utilizing standard Mac options. In order to remove OptimalSync you need complete a few manual steps and use reliable removal tools. Most IT security researchers states that MalwareBytes Anti Malware utility is a right choice. It is able to locate and remove adware from your MAC and revert back your web browser settings to defaults.
To remove OptimalSync, execute the following steps:
- How to remove OptimalSync adware without any software
- Automatic Removal of OptimalSync adware software
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to remove OptimalSync adware without any software
In this section of the article, we have posted the steps that will allow to remove adware manually. Although compared to removal utilities, this way loses in time, but you don’t need to install anything on your MAC OS. It will be enough for you to follow the detailed tutorial with pictures. We tried to describe each step in detail, but if you realized that you might not be able to figure it out, or simply do not want to change the Microsoft Windows and internet browser settings, then it’s better for you to run utilities from trusted developers, which are listed below.
Uninstall adware software through the Finder
One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware software is to check your MAC installed programs screen and look for undesired and dubious software. If there are any applications you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should uninstall them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to use adware removal utility like MalwareBytes.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Very carefully look around the entire list of programs installed on your Apple Mac. Most likely, one of them is the OptimalSync adware. If you’ve many software installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful programs by sort the list by date of installation.
Once you have found a dubious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Don’t forget, choose Finder -> “Empty Trash”.
Get rid of OptimalSync adware from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your web-browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your browser, which installed by an malware.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious add-ons on left panel, select it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove 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 OptimalSync from Google Chrome
The adware software can change your Google Chrome settings without your knowledge. You may see an unknown website as your search provider or homepage, additional add-ons and toolbars. Reset Google Chrome web-browser will help you to delete OptimalSync ads and reset the unwanted changes caused by adware. It’ll keep your personal information such as browsing history, bookmarks, passwords and web form auto-fill data.
- First, start the Google Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset settings prompt as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the web browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Get rid of OptimalSync from Firefox by resetting internet browser settings
If your Mozilla Firefox browser is hijacked by OptimalSync or an unknown search engine shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the internet browser reset. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
First, launch the Firefox and press 
button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, press the Help button (
) such as the one below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown on the image below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the OptimalSync adware. Once, it’s finished, press the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of OptimalSync adware software
Is your Mac OS MAC infected by adware? Then don’t worry, in the tutorial below, we are sharing best malware removal utilities which has the ability to remove OptimalSync ads from the Safari, Chrome and Firefox and your Apple Mac.
Run MalwareBytes Free to remove OptimalSync adware
We suggest using the MalwareBytes which are fully clean your computer of the adware. This free utility is an advanced malware removal application created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It’s able to help you remove intrusive OptimalSync ads from your browsers, PUPs, malware, browser hijacker, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your MAC for free.
- Download MalwareBytes on your MAC from the following link.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20843 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- After the download is finished, please close all programs and open windows on your MAC system. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
- The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will start and display the main window.
- Further, click the “Scan” button for scanning your computer for the OptimalSync adware software. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) application is checking, you can see count of objects it has identified as threat.
- Once the scan is finished, MalwareBytes Anti Malware will create a list of unwanted applications and adware.
- When you are ready, click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
- Close the AntiMalware and continue with the next step.
How to stay safe online
By installing an adblocker application like AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious websites, stop autoplaying video ads and delete a huge number of distracting and undesired ads on webpages.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the downloading process is done, 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. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick instructions which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you launch your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive pop-up advertisements, block harmful and misleading web pages.
To sum up
After completing the few simple steps above, your Apple Mac should be clean from this adware software and other malware. The Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Safari will no longer display the OptimalSync ads when you browse the Net. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the OptimalSync adware.
