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

What is PreviewInteractive

PreviewInteractive is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware can make big problems to your MAC. Adware also known as ‘adware software’ is a form of malicious software that shows lots of ads in form of pop-ups, coupons, banners, push notifications or even fake alerts on the browser. So, PreviewInteractive can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.

Does PreviewInteractive steal your personal information? The adware has the ability to gather and transmit sensitive information without your permission. It can be used to track information about web-pages visited, internet browser and system information, and your MAC IP address.

How does PreviewInteractive get on your Apple Mac

Usually, adware gets into MAC computers as part of a bundle with free software, sharing files, malicious downloads, fake updates and other unsafe software that users downloaded from the Web. The authors of adware pays software makers for distributing adware within their software. So, additional applications is often included as part of the installer. In order to avoid the install of any adware software: choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation method and disable all third-party software in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	PreviewInteractive
Type	adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware/Adload!OSX, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, ApplicUnwnt, Adware.MAC.Generic, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, OSX.Trojan.Gen and Osx.Adware.Cimpli
Distribution	Free software installers, fake update tools, torrent downloads and suspicious popup ads
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to suspicious webpages, undesired advertising links appear on web pages that you are visiting, there is an unwanted program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, new extensions suddenly installed on your web-browser, your browser search engine has replaced without your permission, low ping but slow Internet.
Removal	PreviewInteractive removal guide

How to remove PreviewInteractive adware

Without a doubt, the PreviewInteractive app is harmful to your MAC. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of this adware. To get rid of this adware, you can use the manual removal guide that are given below or free malicious software removal utility such as MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) (it is free). We suggest you use automatic removal way that will help you to get rid of PreviewInteractive adware easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in computer or in the case where adware software is not removed automatically. Certain of the steps will require you to restart your MAC system or exit this website. So, read this instructions carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove PreviewInteractive, use the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by PreviewInteractive

PreviewInteractive can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile associated with PreviewInteractive.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac device, which is normal.

Uninstall PreviewInteractive associated software by using the Finder

Check the list of installed apps and delete all unknown or questionable apps. This is an important step, it so often happens that browser hijackers, PUPs and adware are built into free software, so by removing these programs you can get rid of browser redirects and annoying advertisements.

Open Finder and click “Applications” like below.

You will see a list of software installed on your MAC OS. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the program you installed last. Most probably, it’s the PreviewInteractive adware software. If you’re in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

After the program which you need to remove is found, simply right click on its name, and select “Move to Trash”.

Don’t forget, choose Finder, then “Empty Trash”.

Remove PreviewInteractive related files and folders

Now you need to try to find PreviewInteractive 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.

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

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

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

Check for PreviewInteractive 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.PreviewInteractive.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having issues with the PreviewInteractive removal or just wish to check your Mac device occasionally for adware software and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). It’s free for home use, and scans for and deletes various undesired apps that attacks your Apple Mac or degrades MAC performance. MalwareBytes can get rid of browser hijackers, adware, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

1. Please go to the following link to download the latest version of MalwareBytes for Apple Mac.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20843 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the downloading process is complete, please close all software and open windows on your MAC OS. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes will start and show the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button to detect PreviewInteractive adware. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your Apple Mac. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware application is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
5. When MalwareBytes is done scanning your Apple Mac, you may check all items found on your machine.
6. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and press the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove PreviewInteractive from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

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

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Chrome menu. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove PreviewInteractive adware 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 PreviewInteractive adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla 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

It is also critical to protect your web browsers from malicious web-sites and advertisements by using an ad blocking program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malware, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.

Click the link below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac OS.

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 tutorial. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your MAC OS, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying pop up ads, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted ads and unwanted harmful web pages) and MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your machine for new malware, hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijackers, malicious programs and adware are released.

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