How to remove ProductiveData (Mac)

What is ProductiveData

ProductiveData is an adware application classified as part of the AdLoad malware family, primarily targeting macOS users. This rogue software is designed to generate intrusive advertisements that disrupt regular browsing activities by displaying pop-ups, banners, and other graphical content on visited websites. Often, these ads lead to dubious websites promoting scams or potentially harmful software, posing significant risks to users’ privacy and device security. Additionally, ProductiveData can track user data, including browsing habits and personal information, which may be sold to third parties or exploited for malicious purposes. Its installation typically occurs through bundled software or deceptive online ads, making it crucial for users to remain vigilant when downloading applications. Removing ProductiveData is essential to restore normal browsing experiences and protect sensitive information from potential exploitation.

How ProductiveData infects Mac computers

ProductiveData adware typically infects Macs through deceptive distribution methods, primarily bundled with legitimate software downloaded from untrustworthy sources. Users often unknowingly install this adware while rushing through the installation process, opting for “Easy” or “Express” settings that allow bundled applications to be included without their explicit consent. Additionally, intrusive pop-up ads and misleading advertisements can lead users to malicious websites designed to promote adware like ProductiveData. Once installed, it starts displaying intrusive advertisements, redirects users to dubious sites, and may even track personal data, posing a significant privacy risk. Awareness of these tactics is crucial for users to safeguard their devices from such unwanted software. To prevent infection, it is advisable to download applications only from reputable sources and to carefully read installation prompts.

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

Remove ProductiveData manually for free

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

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

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

Remove ProductiveData from Applications

Remove ProductiveData from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall ProductiveData

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

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

Remove ProductiveData add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish ProductiveData 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 ProductiveData


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


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

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 ProductiveData in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ProductiveData

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