How to remove Properties extension (Mac)

What is Properties extension

A questionable Google Chrome extension called Properties has been reported by victims to generate intrusive pop-up ads and redirect queries through search engines different from default settings. The unwanted add-on is compatible with Mac and was spotted infecting this system specifically. It redirects queries entered into the search line by users to Bing.com. Although it is a legitimate search engine developed by Microsoft, cybercriminals behind the Properties extension supposedly use it to generate illegal traffic and earn money on it. Properties has traits of both adware and browser hijackers – this is indicated by the abilities to display additional ads and search manipulations we discussed above. Users infected with it usually do not remember installing it themselves meaning it was likely carried by some other infection or misclicks on dubious websites. To make sure it is no longer active and does not present any potential threats like data collection, we recommend you remove it using our instructions below.

How Properties extension infected your computer

Browser hijackers impersonated in add-ons or standalone apps are usually spread via third-party installers. Such installers can be pirated or cracked software advertised on unofficial resources around the web. They can be packed with additional offers like Properties extension. During the installation of a desirable program that was intentionally downloaded from the web, many do not pay attention to “Advanced” or “Custom” which are oftentimes hidden to make users skip them. Once overlooked, a dubious piece of software will be installed without the consent of users and control settings in both browsers and the system. Besides this, unwanted software like browser hijackers or adware can also be spread via affiliated content leading to sponsored download pages. Properties could be on one of such pages being offered as something useful or necessary for users to install. Our advice to be more protected against such threats in the future is to be less naive and reliant on unofficial download resources. Never download the software you are not familiar with, especially if it is claimed to be helpful. Do your research and think twice before opting for such decisions on third-party resources.

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

Remove Properties manually for free

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

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

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

Remove Properties from Applications

Remove Properties from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall Properties

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

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

Remove Properties add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish Properties 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 Properties


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


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

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 Properties in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like Properties

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