How to remove TrustedSafeFinder (Mac)

What is TrustedSafeFinder

TrustedSafeFinder is a type of adware that operates primarily on macOS systems, generating revenue for its developers through intrusive advertising. This software is classified as part of the AdLoad malware family, which is notorious for displaying unwanted pop-ups, banners, and redirects to dubious websites. Users may experience a decline in system performance, as their devices become slower and inundated with unwanted advertisements. Moreover, TrustedSafeFinder can compromise user privacy by tracking browsing habits and collecting sensitive data, including personal identification and financial information. Its distribution often occurs through deceptive pop-up ads, bundled software installations, and downloads from untrustworthy sites. To mitigate the risks associated with TrustedSafeFinder, it’s crucial to employ legitimate antivirus solutions and maintain cautious browsing habits.

How TrustedSafeFinder infects Mac computers

TrustedSafeFinder typically infects Macs through deceptive tactics that exploit user behavior and online vulnerabilities. It often disguises itself as a legitimate application or is bundled with seemingly harmless software downloaded from untrustworthy websites. Users may inadvertently install TrustedSafeFinder by clicking on misleading pop-up ads or using “Easy/Express” installation settings that bypass important options for opting out of additional software. Once installed, TrustedSafeFinder can initiate a series of intrusive ad displays, redirects, and data-tracking activities, compromising both user experience and privacy. Additionally, its stealthy nature allows it to evade detection by many conventional security measures, making it crucial for users to remain vigilant during software installations and browsing activities. To mitigate the risk of infection, it is essential to download applications exclusively from reputable sources and to carefully read installation prompts.

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

Remove TrustedSafeFinder manually for free

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

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

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

Remove TrustedSafeFinder from Applications

Remove TrustedSafeFinder from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall TrustedSafeFinder

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

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

Remove TrustedSafeFinder add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish TrustedSafeFinder 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 TrustedSafeFinder


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


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

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 TrustedSafeFinder in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like TrustedSafeFinder

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