How To Remove PublicAnalog Adware On Mac [Simple Guide]

author avatarTodor Pichurov Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Before we dive in

Before we dive in, let's make sure you stay safe online. We created SpyHunter because your security matters to us.

Protect your computer today — download SpyHunter right here! Check out our top tips below to keep your computer safe and secure.

Download SpyHunter

Adware can be frustrating and intrusive, especially when it disrupts your online activities with unwanted ads and redirects.

PublicAnalog, a known adware app, is no exception. If you suspect that your Mac has been compromised by PublicAnalog, this guide will walk you through removing it and restoring your system’s security.

This Article Contains:

What is PublicAnalog adware?

PublicAnalog is a variant of the AdLoad adware.

Like other adware, it is designed to infiltrate your system and generate revenue for its developers by displaying intrusive advertisements, redirecting web traffic, and exposing users to potentially harmful content.

It may also alter browser settings, degrade your Mac’s performance, and compromise your online security.

Adware like PublicAnalog often infiltrates systems through misleading websites, software bundles, or fake updates. It can also abuse push notification bait to trick users into granting permissions for unwanted actions.

How adware impacts your online security

Adware such as PublicAnalog does more than just display annoying ads. It poses significant risks to your online safety by:

  • Exposing you to malicious content: Rogue advertisements may lead you to phishing websites or malware downloads.
  • Tracking your online activities: Adware often collects sensitive information, such as browsing history and search queries, which can be sold to third parties.
  • Installing additional threats: Some adware programs act as gateways for more harmful malware, worsening your system’s vulnerability.

How to remove PublicAnalog adware on Mac

Removing PublicAnalog requires a thorough cleanup of your system. Follow these detailed steps to ensure complete removal:

1. Remove PublicAnalog from Applications

  1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
  2. Look for any suspicious applications, including PublicAnalog or similar unknown names.
  3. Right-click the application and select Move to Trash.
  4. Empty the Trash by right-clicking and selecting Empty Trash.
delete a program from applications using finder

2. Clean up residual files from system directories

  1. Open Finder, click Go in the menu bar, and select Go to Folder.
  2. Enter the following directories one by one and delete suspicious files or folders:
    • /Library/LaunchAgents/
    • /Library/Application Support/
    • /Library/LaunchDaemons/
    • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
    • /Library/StartupItems/
  3. Look for files associated with PublicAnalog and delete them.
  4. Empty the Trash.
delete files and folders from the library folder

3. Reset your browsers

Reset Google Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and go to Settings.
  3. Scroll down and select Reset settings.
  4. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.

Reset Safari

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Click Safari in the menu bar and select Settings.
  3. Go to the Extensions tab and uninstall any suspicious extensions.
  4. Navigate to the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data to remove all stored data.

Reset Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the menu button in the top-right corner and select Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
  3. Click Refresh Firefox.
  4. Confirm the action by clicking Refresh Firefox again.

4. Delete unwanted configuration profiles

  1. Open System Settings and go to General > Device Management.
  2. Look for any unknown profiles and select them.
  3. Click the minus button to remove them and enter your admin password if prompted.
the general configuration profile settings on macos

5. Clean your Mac from adware with SpyHunter

For a complete cleanup and protection against future threats, use SpyHunter, a fully-featured anti-malware tool.

  1. Download the app from here and install it by following the instructions on the screen.
  2. Launch the SpyHunter application and run a full system scan.
  3. Review the scan results window.
remove PublicAnalog with spyhunter
  1. Proceed with the automatic cleanup procedure.
remove malware, viruses, and potentially unwanted programs with spyhunter for mac

Useful tips to avoid adware

Prevention is key to keeping your Mac safe from adware. Follow these tips to minimize your risk:

  • Avoid downloading software from unverified sources.
  • Be cautious when installing free software; always opt for custom installation to deselect unwanted programs.
  • Regularly update macOS and installed applications to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Use a reputable antivirus program like SpyHunter for real-time protection.
  • Be vigilant when browsing; avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links.
Share this post on your favorite social media
author avatar

Todor has over a decade of experience in creating content about cybersecurity. He specializes in making complex security topics understandable for all. As part of the SpyHunter team, Todor uses his expertise to educate users, empowering them to better understand and manage their digital environments securely and efficiently.

Keep Your Mac Fast and Secure
Optimize your Mac and stay malware-free with SpyHunter
Download SpyHunter For Free

For a better understanding of our policies, please review our Free Trial Offer below, EULA, and Privacy/Cookie Policy.

SpyHunter Free Trial: Important Terms & Conditions

The SpyHunter Trial version includes, for one device, a one-time 7-day Trial period for SpyHunter 5 Pro (Windows) or SpyHunter for Mac, offering comprehensive malware detection and removal functionality, high-performance guards to actively protect your system from malware threats, and access to our technical support team via the SpyHunter HelpDesk. You will not be charged upfront during the Trial period, although a credit card is required to activate the Trial. (Prepaid credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards are not accepted under this offer.) The requirement for your payment method is to help ensure continuous, uninterrupted security protection during your transition from a Trial to a paid subscription should you decide to purchase. Your payment method will not be charged a payment amount upfront during the Trial, although authorization requests may be sent to your financial institution to verify that your payment method is valid (such authorization submissions are not requests for charges or fees by EnigmaSoft but, depending upon your payment method and/or your financial institution, may reflect on your account availability). You can cancel your Trial by contacting EnigmaSoft’s payment processor (identified in your confirmation email) or EnigmaSoft directly no later than two business days before the 7-day Trial period expires to avoid a charge coming due and being processed immediately after your Trial expires. If you decide to cancel during your Trial, you will immediately lose access to SpyHunter. If, for any reason, you believe a charge was processed that you did not wish to make (which could occur based on system administration, for example), you may also cancel and receive a full refund for the charge any time within 30 days of the date of the purchase charge. See FAQs.

At the end of the Trial, you will be billed upfront immediately at the price and for the subscription period as set forth in the offering materials and registration/purchase page terms (which are incorporated herein by reference; pricing may vary by country per purchase page details) if you have not timely canceled. Pricing typically starts at $72 for 3 months (SpyHunter Pro Windows) and $42 for 3 months (SpyHunter for Mac). Your purchased subscription will be automatically renewed in accordance with the registration/purchase page terms, which provide for automatic renewals at the then applicable standard subscription fee in effect at the time of your original purchase and for the same subscription time period, provided you’re a continuous, uninterrupted subscription user. Please see the purchase page for details. Trial subject to these Terms, your agreement to EULA/TOS, Privacy/Cookie Policy, and Discount Terms. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, learn how.

For payment on the automatic renewal of your subscription, an email reminder will be sent to the email address you provided when you registered before your next payment date. At the onset of your trial, you will receive an activation code that is limited to use for only one Trial and for only one device per account. Your subscription will automatically renew at the price and for the subscription period in accordance with the offering materials and registration/purchase page terms (which are incorporated herein by reference; pricing may vary by country per purchase page details), provided that you are a continuous, uninterrupted subscription user. For paid subscription users, if you cancel, you will continue to have access to your product(s) until the end of your paid subscription period. If you wish to receive a refund for your then current subscription period, you must cancel and apply for a refund within 30 days of your most recent purchase, and you will immediately stop receiving full functionality when your refund is processed.

For CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS, please see the notice provisions:
NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS: Per the California Automatic Renewal Law, you may cancel a subscription as follows:

  1. Go to www.enigmasoftware.com and click the "Login" button at the top right corner.
  2. Log in with your username and password.
  3. In the navigation menu, go to "Order/Licenses." Next to your order/license, a button is available to cancel your subscription if applicable. Note: If you have multiple orders/products, you will need to cancel them on an individual basis.

Should you have any questions or problems, you can contact our EnigmaSoft support team by phone at +1 (888) 360-0646 (USA Toll-Free) / +353 76 680 3523 (Ireland/International) or by email at support@enigmasoftware.com.
How do you cancel a SpyHunter Trial? If your SpyHunter Trial was registered via MyCommerce, you can cancel the trial via MyCommerce by logging into the MyAccount section of MyCommerce (see your confirmation email for further details). You can also contact MyCommerce by phone or email to cancel. To contact MyCommerce via phone, you can call +1-800-406-4966 (USA Toll-Free) or +1-952-646-5022 (24x7x356). You can contact MyCommerce by e-mail at ordersupport@mycommerce.com. You can easily identify if your trial was registered via MyCommerce by checking the confirmation emails that were sent to you upon registration. Alternatively, all users may also contact EnigmaSoft Limited directly. Users can contact our technical support team by emailing support@enigmasoftware.com, opening a ticket in the SpyHunter HelpDesk, or calling +1 (888) 360-0646 (USA) / +353 76 680 3523 (Ireland/International). You can access the SpyHunter HelpDesk from SpyHunter's main screen. To open a support ticket, click on the "HelpDesk" icon. In the window that appears, click the "New Ticket" tab. Fill out the form and click the "Submit" button. If you are unsure of what "Problem Type" to select, please choose the "General Questions" option. Our support agents will promptly process your request and respond to you.

———

SpyHunter Purchase Details
You also have the choice of subscribing to SpyHunter immediately for full functionality, including malware removal and access to our support department via our HelpDesk, typically starting at $42 for 3 months (SpyHunter Basic Windows) and $42 for 3 months (SpyHunter for Mac) in accordance with the offering materials and registration/purchase page terms (which are incorporated herein by reference; pricing may vary by country per purchase page details). Your subscription will automatically renew at the then applicable standard subscription fee in effect at the time of your original purchase subscription and for the same subscription time period, provided you’re a continuous, uninterrupted subscription user and for which you will receive a notice of upcoming charges before the expiration of your subscription. Purchase of SpyHunter is subject to the terms and conditions on the purchase page, EULA/TOS, Privacy/Cookie Policy and Discount Terms.

———

General Terms
Any purchase for SpyHunter under a discounted price is valid for the offered discounted subscription term. After that, the then applicable standard pricing will apply for automatic renewals and/or future purchases. Pricing is subject to change, although we will notify you in advance of price changes.
All SpyHunter versions are subject to your agreeing to our EULA/TOS, Privacy/Cookie Policy, and Discount Terms. Please also see our FAQs and Threat Assessment Criteria. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, learn how.