How to remove NetEngine (Mac)

What is NetEngine

NetEngine is an adware program that primarily targets macOS systems, known for displaying intrusive and disruptive advertisements. This type of software often mimics legitimate notifications, tricking users into clicking on misleading ads that may lead to phishing sites or other malicious content. Users frequently encounter pop-ups, banners, and coupons that significantly degrade their browsing experience. Additionally, NetEngine can gather sensitive data, including browsing history and personal information, without user consent. Its installation typically occurs through bundled software or deceptive pop-up ads, catching users off guard. To protect against NetEngine and similar threats, it is crucial to download software only from reputable sources and to be cautious during the installation process. Removal of this adware is highly recommended to prevent further privacy breaches and system slowdowns.

How NetEngine infects Mac computers

NetEngine typically infects Mac computers through deceptive practices commonly associated with adware distribution. Users often unknowingly install it when downloading free software from untrustworthy sources, such as third-party websites or peer-to-peer networks, where it may be bundled with other applications. During the installation process, users may overlook the “Advanced” or “Custom” options that would allow them to decline unwanted offers, leading to the inadvertent installation of NetEngine. Additionally, interacting with misleading pop-up ads or notifications can trigger the installation of this adware. Once installed, NetEngine can disrupt the user experience by displaying intrusive advertisements and may compromise personal privacy by collecting sensitive browsing data. Awareness and cautious downloading practices are essential in preventing such infections.

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

Remove NetEngine manually for free

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

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

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

Remove NetEngine from Applications

Remove NetEngine from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall NetEngine

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

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

Remove NetEngine add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish NetEngine 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 NetEngine


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


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

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 NetEngine in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like NetEngine

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