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

What is DefaultImprovment

DefaultImprovment is an adware application that targets Mac platform. Adware can make big problems to your MAC. Adware also known as ‘ad software’ is a malicious program which shows lots of unwanted ads in form of popup windows, coupons, promos, push notifications or even fake alerts on the computer. Adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.

Another reason why you need to remove DefaultImprovment is its online data-tracking activity. It can analyze the location and which Internet webpages you visit, and then show advertisements to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Its makers can collect and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.

How does DefaultImprovment get on your MAC OS

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

Threat Summary

Name	DefaultImprovment, “DefaultImprovment 1.0”
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, Adware.MAC.Generic and Adware/Adload!OSX
Distribution	Free software installers, shady popup advertisements, torrent downloads and fake update tools
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your web browser is redirected to another web page, unwanted ads appear on web pages that you are visiting, there is an unexpected application in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, an unwanted toolbar appears in your web browser, your browser startpage has changed and you cannot change it back, slow Internet or slow browsing.
Removal	DefaultImprovment removal guide

How to remove DefaultImprovment from Mac device

To get rid of DefaultImprovment adware from your MAC, you must uninstall all suspicious applications and every component that could be related to the adware. Besides, to fix your web browser new tab, startpage and default search engine, you should reset the affected internet browsers. As soon as you’re done with the adware removal process, we suggest you scan your MAC with malicious software removal tools listed below. It will complete the removal procedure on your computer.

To remove DefaultImprovment, perform the following steps:

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

Remove profiles created by DefaultImprovment

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

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to DefaultImprovment.

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 computer, which is normal.

Uninstall DefaultImprovment associated software by using the Finder

The next step to remove PUPs, browser hijackers and adware is to delete unknown and dubious apps. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. We recommend you not to skip this step, as it often helps to get rid of web-browser redirects and intrusive advertisements.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed applications and remove all suspicious and unknown apps.

When you have found anything questionable that may be the DefaultImprovment adware or other PUP, then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove DefaultImprovment related files and folders

Now you need to try to find DefaultImprovment 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes AntiMalware. You can download and install MalwareBytes to search for and get rid of DefaultImprovment related programs from your Mac device. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover automatically detects and deletes all security threats exist on the MAC OS.

1. Installing the MalwareBytes is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware by clicking on the following link.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20841 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When the downloading process is finished, please close all software and open windows on your MAC. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes will launch and show the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button to locate DefaultImprovment adware. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
5. When the scan is finished, a list of all items found is prepared.
6. Review the results once the utility has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove DefaultImprovment from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘DefaultImprovment ‘ removal problem, then remove unwanted add-ons can help you. In the steps below we’ll show you the method to remove harmful addons without reinstall. This will also help to delete DefaultImprovment from your web browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete DefaultImprovment 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 problems with DefaultImprovment 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

Enabling an ad-blocking program such as AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, adblocker apps will also protect you from harmful ads and webpages, and, of course, stop redirection chain to misleading, scam and similar web sites.

Visit the page linked below to download AdGuard.

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

Each time, when you run your machine, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive pop-up ads, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

Finish words

We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popup ads and intrusive harmful webpages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your machine for new malicious software, 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, malicious software and adware software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to get rid of DefaultImprovment from your web-browser, then ask for help here.