How to remove CustomStrategic (Mac)

What is CustomStrategic

CustomStrategic is an application that claims to enhance the browsing experience by providing fast and precise search results alongside various browsing-related features. However, it operates primarily as adware, generating intrusive advertisements that disrupt users while they navigate the web. This adware collects user data, including IP addresses, geolocations, and search queries, often leading to significant privacy concerns. Users typically install CustomStrategic unintentionally, often through deceptive pop-up ads or bundled software installations. Once active on a system, it can slow down performance and redirect users to dubious websites that promote potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). The presence of CustomStrategic poses risks not only to browsing safety but also to personal privacy, making it imperative to remove it promptly.

How CustomStrategic infects Mac computers

CustomStrategic primarily infects Mac systems through deceptive advertising and software bundling techniques. Users often encounter intrusive pop-up ads that lead to the unintentional download of this adware when they click on enticing offers or download software from untrustworthy websites. Additionally, CustomStrategic may be bundled with legitimate applications, allowing it to install unnoticed during the installation process if users do not pay attention to the “Advanced” or “Custom” settings. Once installed, it begins to display unwanted ads and collect user data, compromising privacy and potentially leading users to dubious websites. The adware’s ability to track browsing habits and gather personal information can further exacerbate security risks, making it crucial for users to be vigilant while downloading software and navigating the web. Regular scanning with reputable antivirus software is recommended to prevent and remove such infections.

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

Remove CustomStrategic manually for free

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

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

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

Remove CustomStrategic from Applications

Remove CustomStrategic from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall CustomStrategic

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

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

Remove CustomStrategic add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish CustomStrategic 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 CustomStrategic


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


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

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 CustomStrategic in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like CustomStrategic

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