How to uninstall OriginalGrowthSystem app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is OriginalGrowthSystem

According to security experts, OriginalGrowthSystem is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware category . Adware presents unwanted ads on your browser. Some of these ads are scams or fake ads developed to trick you. Even the harmless ads can become really irritating. Adware can be installed unintentionally and without you knowing about it, when you open email attachments, install freeware.

Another reason why you need to get rid of OriginalGrowthSystem is its online data-tracking activity. The adware may monetize its functionality by gathering user data from your surfing sessions. This confidential info, subsequently, can be easily used for marketing purposes. This puts your confidential data at a security risk. So, if you happen to encounter the adware, then be quick and take effort to remove it immediately. Follow the step-by-step guide below to delete OriginalGrowthSystem adware. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

How does OriginalGrowthSystem get on your MAC

Adware usually spreads along with free applications . So, when you installing free programs, carefully read the disclaimers, choose the Custom or Advanced installation mode to watch for third-party apps that are being installed, because certain of the applications are PUPs and adware.

Threat Summary

Name	OriginalGrowthSystem, OriginalGrowthSystem 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	ApplicUnwnt, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware/Adload!OSX, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A and Adware.MAC.Generic
Distribution	Freeware installers, torrent downloads, dubious pop up ads and fake update tools
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web sites, popups and new tab pages are loaded without your request, unexpected program installed without your say-so, unwanted web-browser extensions or toolbars keep coming back, unwanted changes in your browser like displaying new tabs you did not open, fast Internet but slow browsing speeds.
Removal	OriginalGrowthSystem removal guide

How to remove OriginalGrowthSystem from Mac

Without a doubt, the adware is harmful to your MAC. So you need to quickly and completely remove OriginalGrowthSystem . To remove this adware, you can use the manual removal guidance that is given below or free malware removal tool like MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) (it is free). We recommend you use automatic removal method that will allow you to remove OriginalGrowthSystem easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in MAC or in the case where adware software is not uninstalled automatically. Certain of the steps below will require you to exit this webpage. So, please read the instructions carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove OriginalGrowthSystem, use the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by OriginalGrowthSystem
2. Delete OriginalGrowthSystem associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove OriginalGrowthSystem related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove OriginalGrowthSystem from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove profiles created by OriginalGrowthSystem

OriginalGrowthSystem 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 device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to OriginalGrowthSystem.

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

Delete OriginalGrowthSystem associated software by using the Finder

Check the list of installed applications on your Mac device and delete all unknown and recently installed applications. If you see an unknown application with incorrect spelling or varying capital letters, it have most likely been installed by malicious software and you should clean it off first with malicious software removal tool like MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM).

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed applications and get rid of all questionable and unknown programs.

When you have found anything dubious that may be the OriginalGrowthSystem adware or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this application and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove OriginalGrowthSystem related files and folders

Now you need to try to find OriginalGrowthSystem 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.

OriginalGrowthSystem creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.OriginalGrowthSystem.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.OriginalGrowthSystem.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.OriginalGrowthSystem.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.OriginalGrowthSystem.service.app

Some files created by OriginalGrowthSystem are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 OriginalGrowthSystem 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: search.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.OriginalGrowthSystem.service.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, installapp.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, adware software and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for OriginalGrowthSystem 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.OriginalGrowthSystem.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for OriginalGrowthSystem 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 OriginalGrowthSystem 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.search.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist and com.OriginalGrowthSystem.system.plist. In most cases, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual OriginalGrowthSystem removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware may be not completely removed. We suggest that use MalwareBytes Free to scan the Mac device. Moreover, this program will help you to remove adware, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and toolbars that your computer can be affected too.

MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link.

Once the download is finished, close all software and windows on your MAC OS. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the figure below.

Now press the “Scan” button to search for OriginalGrowthSystem adware. This procedure may take some time, so please be patient. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

After MalwareBytes Anti Malware completes the scan, MalwareBytes will show a scan report. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will remove OriginalGrowthSystem adware and move the selected threats to the Quarantine.

Remove OriginalGrowthSystem from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted extensions is a simple method to delete OriginalGrowthSystem and revert back internet browser’s settings that have been modified by adware software.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete OriginalGrowthSystem adware by reset Google 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 OriginalGrowthSystem adware 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

Enabling an ad blocking program such as AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad-blocker programs will also protect you from harmful advertisements and web sites, and, of course, block redirection chain to misleading, scam and similar websites.

1. AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3677 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. After the downloading process is finished, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the setup is done, click “Skip” to close the install application and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block harmful and misleading web-sites.

To sum up

Now your MAC should be free of the OriginalGrowthSystem adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop up advertisements and annoying harmful web pages) and MalwareBytes Anti Malware (to periodically scan your MAC for new malware, browser hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, harmful programs and adware software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to delete OriginalGrowthSystem from your internet browser, then ask for help here.