How to remove ActiveNavigation (Mac)

What is ActiveNavigation

ActiveNavigation is an adware application that falls under the AdLoad malware family, primarily targeting macOS systems. It is designed to generate revenue for its developers by displaying intrusive advertisements, such as pop-ups and banners, on users’ screens. This software often compromises user experience by redirecting browsers to dubious websites and tracking browsing habits to collect sensitive information. Potential risks associated with ActiveNavigation include financial loss and privacy violations, as it may sell collected data to third parties. Typically, it is distributed through deceptive pop-up ads, bundled software installations, and torrent downloads. Users may notice a significant slowdown in their system performance as a result of its presence. To ensure safety and maintain system integrity, it is crucial to remove ActiveNavigation and any associated files promptly.

How ActiveNavigation infects Mac computers

ActiveNavigation typically infects Mac systems through deceptive tactics, primarily bundled with legitimate-looking software downloads. Users often encounter this adware when they download free applications from unofficial websites or engage with torrent files, where bundled software is commonly hidden. Once installed, ActiveNavigation can display intrusive advertisements and redirect users to questionable websites, significantly diminishing their browsing experience. Moreover, the adware may exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers or rely on rogue advertising networks to infiltrate user systems. By clicking on seemingly innocuous ads or pop-ups, users inadvertently trigger the installation process, allowing ActiveNavigation to establish its presence. Without careful attention during installation processes, including the use of “Custom” settings, users remain at risk of unknowingly permitting this adware access to their systems.

1. Download ActiveNavigation Removal Tool
2. Remove ActiveNavigation from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall ActiveNavigation from Applications
4. Remove ActiveNavigation from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove ActiveNavigation files and folders
7. Block ActiveNavigation ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like ActiveNavigation

Remove ActiveNavigation manually for free

Note: ActiveNavigation sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “ActiveNavigation” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: ActiveNavigation won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose ActiveNavigation in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full ActiveNavigation removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of ActiveNavigation installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove ActiveNavigation from Applications

Remove ActiveNavigation from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. ActiveNavigation might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall ActiveNavigation or ActiveNavigation Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag ActiveNavigation from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall ActiveNavigation

If you can’t uninstall ActiveNavigation using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of ActiveNavigation. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag ActiveNavigation from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with ActiveNavigation.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove ActiveNavigation add-on from your browsers

Removing ActiveNavigation from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the ActiveNavigation extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find ActiveNavigation extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find ActiveNavigation extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose ActiveNavigation extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish ActiveNavigation removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of ActiveNavigation


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ActiveNavigation.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ActiveNavigation.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ActiveNavigation.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ActiveNavigation.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote ActiveNavigation

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting ActiveNavigation in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ActiveNavigation

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac