How to remove BrowserValue (Mac)

What is BrowserValue

BrowserValue is a type of adware associated with the AdLoad malware family, designed to generate revenue through intrusive advertising. This software infiltrates macOS systems and displays unwanted pop-up ads, banners, and redirects users to dubious websites. Often, BrowserValue is bundled with legitimate software downloaded from untrustworthy sites, making it easy to inadvertently install. Once active, it may track sensitive information, such as browsing habits and personal data, posing significant privacy risks. Users may experience a noticeable decline in system performance and increased exposure to online scams. To mitigate the threat posed by BrowserValue, it is crucial to remove it promptly and employ a reliable antivirus solution. Regularly updating software and exercising caution while browsing can help prevent such infections in the future.

How BrowserValue infects Mac computers

BrowserValue infects Macs primarily through deceptive tactics such as bundling with legitimate software, rogue advertisements, and misleading download sites. Users often encounter BrowserValue when they download free applications from untrustworthy sources, where it may be packaged alongside the desired software. Once installed, this adware generates intrusive ads and pop-ups, which can lead to further infections if clicked. Additionally, BrowserValue can exploit vulnerabilities in browsers, redirecting users to malicious websites that promote scams or additional unwanted applications. Its stealthy installation process, combined with a lack of user awareness about the risks associated with downloaded content, significantly contributes to its spread among Mac users. To mitigate these risks, users should practice caution when downloading software and ensure they utilize reputable security tools to scan for potential threats.

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

Remove BrowserValue manually for free

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

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

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

Remove BrowserValue from Applications

Remove BrowserValue from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall BrowserValue

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

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

Remove BrowserValue add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish BrowserValue 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 BrowserValue


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


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

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 BrowserValue in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like BrowserValue

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