How to remove AresLookup (Mac)

What is AresLookup

AresLookup is an adware application that exhibits browser hijacker characteristics, negatively impacting users’ browsing experiences. This malicious software generates intrusive advertisements and alters browser settings, often redirecting users to fake search engines designed to generate revenue through deceptive practices. Typically proliferated through bundled software installations and fake update prompts for applications like Adobe Flash Player, AresLookup can infiltrate systems without users’ consent. Once installed, it can monitor browsing habits and collect personal data, posing significant privacy risks. Users may encounter unwanted pop-ups, slow browser performance, and frequent redirections to dubious websites. Immediate removal of AresLookup and any related components is crucial to restore normal functionality and protect personal information.

How AresLookup infects Mac computers

AresLookup primarily infects Mac systems through deceptive software bundling and misleading advertisements. Users often unknowingly install this adware by agreeing to the terms of free software that includes AresLookup as a bundled component. This adware is frequently propagated via fake Adobe Flash Player installers, which users are tricked into downloading under the guise of necessary updates. Once installed, AresLookup modifies browser settings, hijacks search engines, and inundates users with intrusive advertisements, significantly degrading the browsing experience. Additionally, it may track users’ online activities, collecting personal information that can be exploited by cybercriminals. To avoid such infections, users should be vigilant during software installations, opting for custom settings to decline any unwanted bundled applications.

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

Remove AresLookup manually for free

Note: AresLookup 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 “AresLookup” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: AresLookup 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 AresLookup in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove AresLookup from Applications

Remove AresLookup from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall AresLookup

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

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

Remove AresLookup add-on from your browsers

Removing AresLookup 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 AresLookup 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 AresLookup 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 AresLookup 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 AresLookup extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish AresLookup 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 AresLookup


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


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

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 AresLookup in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like AresLookup

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