How to remove DefaultAgent (Mac)

What is DefaultAgent

DefaultAgent is a type of adware that primarily targets macOS systems, designed to deliver intrusive advertisements to users. This application generates unwanted pop-up ads, banners, and coupons, often leading users to dubious websites that may host scams or additional malware. Its presence can severely impact system performance, as it consumes valuable resources while running in the background. Moreover, DefaultAgent poses significant privacy risks by tracking user behavior, including browsing history and search activity, potentially sharing this information with third parties. Detection by antivirus software is common, with many security vendors flagging it as malicious. Users are strongly advised to remove DefaultAgent promptly to mitigate its harmful effects and protect their personal information. Regular system scans and cautious downloading practices are essential for preventing such adware infections.

How DefaultAgent infects Mac computers

DefaultAgent infects Mac computers primarily through deceptive tactics known as software bundling. Users often inadvertently install this adware by downloading free software from untrustworthy sources, where DefaultAgent is bundled with legitimate applications. During the installation process, users may skip important steps or overlook the “Advanced” or “Custom” options, leading to the automatic installation of the adware alongside the desired software. Additionally, DefaultAgent can be propagated through malicious ads, fake software updates, and unofficial app stores, further increasing the risk of infection. Once installed, it operates silently in the background, delivering intrusive advertisements and potentially compromising user privacy by tracking browsing habits. Awareness and caution during the download and installation of software are essential in preventing DefaultAgent infections.

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

Remove DefaultAgent manually for free

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

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

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

Remove DefaultAgent from Applications

Remove DefaultAgent from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall DefaultAgent

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

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

Remove DefaultAgent add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish DefaultAgent 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 DefaultAgent


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


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

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 DefaultAgent in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like DefaultAgent

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