How to remove ProtocolView (Mac)

What is ProtocolView

ProtocolView is a type of adware specifically targeting Mac users. Adware, short for advertising-supported software, is designed to display unwanted advertisements on your device. ProtocolView belongs to the AdLoad malware family, which is known for its persistent and intrusive behavior. Once installed, ProtocolView generates revenue for its developers by displaying ads, often in the form of pop-ups, banners, and redirects, which can significantly disrupt the user experience. Once ProtocolView infects a Mac, it exhibits several telltale signs. Users will notice an increase in pop-up ads, banners, and in-text advertisements while browsing the internet. Clicking on links may redirect users to unintended websites, often filled with more ads or potentially harmful content. The adware consumes system resources, leading to a noticeable slowdown in the Mac’s performance. ProtocolView may also install unwanted toolbars or extensions in web browsers, further complicating the browsing experience. Removing ProtocolView requires a combination of manual steps and the use of specialized tools. First, users should identify and terminate suspicious processes using the Activity Monitor. They should look for processes that they do not recognize or that are known to be associated with adware, such as ProtocolView, and force quit them. Next, users should go to the Applications folder, identify and drag any suspicious applications to the Trash, and then empty the Trash and restart their Mac. It is also important to delete unwanted browser extensions. In Safari, users can go to the Extensions settings and uninstall any unfamiliar extensions. In Chrome, users can navigate to the extensions page and remove any extensions that they do not recognize. Additionally, users should check their System Preferences, specifically the Security & Privacy settings, and deselect any suspicious items that have been granted access.

How ProtocolView infects Mac computers

ProtocolView, like many other adware programs, relies on various methods to infiltrate Mac systems. One common method is through bundled software, where ProtocolView comes packaged with legitimate applications. Users may unknowingly install it when they download and install free applications from unverified sources. Another method is through phishing emails, which contain malicious links or attachments that lead to the installation of ProtocolView. These emails often appear to be from trusted sources, tricking users into clicking on them. Additionally, visiting compromised or malicious websites can result in drive-by downloads, where the adware is automatically downloaded and installed without the user’s explicit consent. ProtocolView can also be disguised as a legitimate software update, and users who do not verify the authenticity of update prompts may inadvertently install the adware.

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

Remove ProtocolView manually for free

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

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

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

Remove ProtocolView from Applications

Remove ProtocolView from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall ProtocolView

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

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

Remove ProtocolView add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish ProtocolView 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 ProtocolView


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


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

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 ProtocolView in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like ProtocolView

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