What is OpticalNavigation

OpticalNavigation is a type of adware that targets macOS devices, belonging to the notorious AdLoad malware family. This software is designed to generate revenue for its developers by delivering intrusive advertisements, such as pop-ups, coupons, and surveys, to users. Often disguised as legitimate applications, OpticalNavigation can significantly degrade user experience by slowing down system performance and redirecting users to dubious websites. Additionally, it poses serious privacy risks, as it has the potential to track browsing habits and collect sensitive information. Distribution methods for OpticalNavigation typically include deceptive pop-up ads, bundled software installations, and torrent downloads. Users may find themselves unknowingly installing this adware, leading to unwanted ads and potential security threats. Effective removal requires the use of reliable antivirus software, such as Combo Cleaner, to ensure that all traces of the adware are eliminated from the system.

OpticalNavigation adware

How OpticalNavigation infects Mac computers

OpticalNavigation typically infects Mac systems through deceptive distribution methods, primarily utilizing bundled software installations. Users may unknowingly download this adware when they opt for free software from unverified sources, such as torrent sites or dubious download portals. During the installation process, the adware is often packaged alongside legitimate applications, and users frequently overlook the option to opt out of these unwanted additions by selecting “Easy” or “Quick” installation settings. Additionally, OpticalNavigation can infiltrate devices through intrusive pop-up ads that prompt users to click on seemingly harmless links, leading to the execution of scripts that install the adware without explicit user consent. Once installed, OpticalNavigation not only displays intrusive advertisements but also poses serious privacy risks by tracking user data and redirecting them to potentially harmful websites. This combination of tactics makes it crucial for users to remain vigilant and adopt safe browsing practices to mitigate the risk of adware infections.

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

Download OpticalNavigation Removal Tool

Download SpyHunter for Mac

To remove OpticalNavigation completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter for Mac. It can help you remove files, folders, and registry keys of OpticalNavigation and uninstall hijackers, toolbars, and unwanted add-ons from the Safari browser. The trial version of SpyHunter for Mac offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Alternative Removal Tool

Download CleanMyMac

To remove OpticalNavigation completely, we recommend you to use CleanMyMac. It can help you remove files, folders, and registry keys of OpticalNavigation and uninstall hijackers, toolbars, and unwanted add-ons from the Safari browser.

Remove OpticalNavigation manually for free

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

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

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

Remove OpticalNavigation from Applications

Remove OpticalNavigation from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall OpticalNavigation

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

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

Remove OpticalNavigation add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish OpticalNavigation 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 OpticalNavigation


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

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

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 OpticalNavigation in browsers.

adguard for mac

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like OpticalNavigation

malwarebytes for mac

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
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James Kramer
Hello, I'm James. My website Bugsfighter.com, a culmination of a decade's journey in the realms of computer troubleshooting, software testing, and development. My mission here is to offer you comprehensive, yet user-friendly guides across a spectrum of topics in this niche. Should you encounter any challenges with the software or the methodologies I endorse, please know that I am readily accessible for assistance. For any inquiries or further communication, feel free to reach out through the 'Contacts' page. Your journey towards seamless computing starts here