How to uninstall ElementaryType app/extension from Mac

What is ElementaryType

According to security professionals, ElementaryType is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the Adware category . Adware is an advertising malicious software. It is designed just to present numerous popups and/or unwanted advertisements using intrusive and at times dangerous ways. Adware can also include other types of malware. It can steal confidential data from the MAC OS and pass it on to third parties. Adware has also been the basis for hacking to gain access to the MAC system.

The worst is, adware software can collect your surfing history and personal information, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, personal information about you can be used for marketing purposes.

Below we are discussing the methods which are very useful in removing adware. The steps will also help you to get rid of ElementaryType from your MAC for free.

How does ElementaryType get on your computer

Most of unwanted advertisements and pop ups come from web-browser toolbars and/or extensions, BHOs (browser helper objects) and optional programs. In many cases, these items claim itself as programs which improve your experience on the Internet by providing a fast and interactive startpage or a search provider that does not track you. Remember, how to avoid the unwanted applications. Be cautious, start only reputable apps which download from reputable sources. NEVER install any unknown and questionable apps.

Threat Summary

Name	ElementaryType, ElementaryType 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop-up virus, popups, pop up ads
Symptoms	you experience a ton of of unexpected pop up ads when you go to a webpage, you’re automatically re-directed to another web-page that you do not intend to visit your MAC OS starts automatically installing unexpected apps unwanted browser toolbars your browser homepage has replaced and you cannot modify it back your browser slows to a crawl your MAC system is no stable leading to crashes
Removal	ElementaryType removal guide

How to Remove ElementaryType (removal tutorial)

Without a doubt, the adware software is harmful to your MAC system. So you need to quickly and completely remove this ElementaryType adware software. To remove this adware, you can use the manual removal guide that are given below or free malware removal utility like MalwareBytes Anti Malware (it is free). We suggest you use automatic removal solution which will help you to get rid of ElementaryType adware software easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in MAC system or in the case where adware is not uninstalled automatically. Certain of the steps will require you to restart your MAC system or close this webpage. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove ElementaryType, execute the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Uninstall ElementaryType associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove ElementaryType related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove ElementaryType from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

ElementaryType can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac computer. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to ElementaryType.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Uninstall ElementaryType associated software by using the Finder

One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your Mac computer installed applications screen and look for unwanted and questionable software. If there are any software you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should remove them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to use malicious software removal utility such as MalwareBytes Anti Malware.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will display a list of all programs installed on your MAC. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown software. Right click to dubious program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the application 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 ElementaryType related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ElementaryType related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for ElementaryType generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: ElementaryType.plist, installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist, search.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, adware software, browser hijackers and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Check for ElementaryType generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for ElementaryType generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for ElementaryType generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.macsearch.plist, com.search.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist and com.ElementaryType.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware software create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes. You may download and install MalwareBytes Free to locate and get rid of ElementaryType associated programs from your Mac computer. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically searches for and removes all security threats exist on the MAC system.

1. MalwareBytes Anti Malware can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20841 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the download is finished, please close all software and open windows on your computer. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes Free will start and open the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) utility will start scanning the whole machine to find out ElementaryType . When a malware, adware or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
5. Once finished, the results are displayed in the scan report.
6. In order to delete all threats, simply click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove ElementaryType from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying ElementaryType adware or other symptoms of adware software in your internet browser is a good reason to locate and get rid of malicious extensions. This is an easy way to restore browsers settings and not lose any important information.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Chrome window. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete ElementaryType by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with ElementaryType removal, you need to reset Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

If you want to remove annoying advertisements, browser redirects and popups, then install an ad-blocking program like AdGuard. It can block unwanted advertisements and popups, stop web pages from tracking your online activities when using the Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox. So, if you like surf the World Wide Web, but you don’t like undesired advertisements and want to protect your MAC system from malicious web sites, then the AdGuard is your best choice.

Please go to the following link to download AdGuard.

After the download 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. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick instructions that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your MAC OS, AdGuard will run automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block malicious and misleading web pages.

Finish words

Now your machine should be free of the ElementaryType adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your computer for new adware softwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you stop undesired ads and harmful web sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.

If you need more help with ElementaryType related issues, go to here.