How to remove OperativeToolView (Mac)

What is OperativeToolView

OperativeToolView is an unwanted application treated as adware and a browser hijacker. It may install on your Mac as an extension, which replaces the default search engine and other sub-settings like homepage, etc. OperativeToolView employs a series of search engines to redirect queries entered by users to legitimate platforms like Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). This trick is notoriously used to generate fake traffic of visits. Along with that, cybercriminals also promote a number of sponsored ads, which contribute to higher revenue gains. All of these changes may damage your PC and privacy unless you delete the unwanted app. Browser hijackers and adware software may track online activity to collect sensitive data like passwords, IP addresses, geolocations, and other kinds of data, which may bring some money to swindlers. With that said, we insist on removing OperativeToolView from your computer. If you are struggling to do it on your own, follow the guide presented below.

How OperativeToolView infected your computer

The most traditional and known way abused by unwanted software to infiltrate systems is described as “bundling”. This is a method of spreading third-party software along with free programs downloaded by users. Usually, this includes a popular set of cracked/pirated programs that most people search for. Video-recording programs, games, antivirus, and other types of licensed software are highly popular among people seeking to avoid paying the license. Because there is large traffic flowing in, cybercriminals insert additional programs inside of the repacks. Most people do not pay enough attention to that, which gets them infected with an unwanted program. The culprits are “Custom” or “Advanced” sections, which often are missed during the installation process. Most people do not spot any additional presence, which leads to other software getting installed along with the main program. In order to stay away from similar threats in the future, we recommend you read our tutorial below.

Remove OperativeToolView manually for free

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

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

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

Remove OperativeToolView from Applications

Remove OperativeToolView from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall OperativeToolView

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

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

Remove OperativeToolView add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish OperativeToolView 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 OperativeToolView


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


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

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 OperativeToolView in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like OperativeToolView

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