How to remove GeneralProtocol (Mac)

What is GeneralProtocol

GeneralProtocol is an unwanted piece of software classified as a browser hijacker. After running stealth installation on Mac, it starts promoting suspicious browser changes. This includes a change of the default homepage and search engine as well. GeneralProtocol assigns its own homepage address, but redirects all queries to the legitimate Yahoo. Many browser hijackers employ this scheme to generate traffic on displayed advertisements. Alike many other hijackers, GeneralProtocol may be installed in the form of a browser extension, desktop application, or even both. Having such software installed may lead to various security risks, ranging from malware infection through promoted redirects or even surveillance of sensitive data (passwords, IP-addresses, geolocations). It is also often the case that users struggle to get rid of the assigned changes on their own – due to the “Managed by your organization” setting that many hijackers employ. If you are subject to facing the same problem as well, follow our guide to delete the infection fast and correctly. We will also give you some useful advice on how to protect yourself against such threats in the future.

How GeneralProtocol infected your computer

Browser hijackers and other types of unwanted software are usually distributed via free software installers (often cracked or pirated). Such installers may often contain additional offers disguised as something “useful”. During installation, the offers get oftentimes skipped, allowing the installation of unwanted software like GeneralProtocol without your consent. Many cybercriminals use the Pay-Per-Install (PPI) scheme, which brings money to the promoters upon each successful installation. This is why it is so important to look out for extra program offers and deselect their installation if that appears possible. It is also worth avoiding various ads and notifications that want you to click on or download something. Beware of dubious and unverified pages, and also double-check the domains of websites you visit. Some cybercriminals disguise a fake website under similarly-named domains to make users believe it is the one they were intended to visit initially.

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

Remove GeneralProtocol manually for free

Note: GeneralProtocol sets up to start on Mac OS 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 “GeneralProtocol” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

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

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

Remove GeneralProtocol from Applications

Remove GeneralProtocol from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall GeneralProtocol

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

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

Remove GeneralProtocol add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish GeneralProtocol 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 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 GeneralProtocol


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


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

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 GeneralProtocol in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like GeneralProtocol

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