How do I remove Genio from my Mac?
How do I remove Genio from my Mac?
You installed the "Genieo" scam product. There is an uninstaller, but as the developer is not trustworthy, you shouldn't rely on it. I suggest the tedious procedure below to disable Genieo.
Back up all data. You must know how to restore from a backup even if the system becomes unbootable. If you don't know that, stop here and ask for guidance.
Quit the Genieo application, if it's running. Force quit if necessary.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
/etc/launchd.conf
Right-click or control-click the line and select
Services ▹ Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)
from the contextual menu.
If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. In the Finder, select
Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar, paste into the box that opens (command-V). You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
A folder may open with a file selected, or the file may be absent, in which case you'll get a message that it doesn't exist. If it does exist, it's a configuration file created or replaced by the Genieo installer. Any software installer that does this should be considered ipso facto malware. Move the file to the Trash. You'll be prompted for your administrator password.
IMPORTANT: If the launchd.conf file exists, you must move it to the Trash it before continuing. Otherwise the systemwill become unbootable. In that case, restore from your backup and start over. That's how badly Genieo has sabotaged your system.
Repeat with each of these lines:
/Applications/Genieo.app
/Applications/Uninstall Genieo.app
/Library/Frameworks/GenieoExtra.framework
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.engine.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client
/usr/lib/libgenkit.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckit.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckitsa.dylib
Again, some of these items may be absent, in which case you'll get a message that the file doesn't exist. Skip that item and go on to the next one.
Reboot and empty the Trash. Don't try to empty the Trash until you have rebooted.
Your web browser(s) should now function normally, and you should be able to reset the home page and search engine. If not, stop here and post your results.
From the Safari menu bar, select
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Extensions
Uninstall any extensions you don't know you need, including one called "Spigot" if it's present. If in doubt, uninstall all extensions. Do the equivalent for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, if you use either of those.
The Genieo installer may also install the "Silverlight" web plugin from Microsoft. If you have no use for that plugin, you can remove it according to Microsoft's instructions. Don't remove it if you subscribe to "Netflix" or any other video-streaming service that uses it.
This procedure may leave a few files behind, but it should deactivate Genieo. Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install it. Chances are you got it from one of the Internet's open sewers such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad embedded in a page on some other site.
Finally, be forewarned that when Genieo is mentioned on this site, the developer sometimes shows up under the name "Genieo support." If that happens, don't believe anything he says, but feel free to tell him what you think of his scam.
Courtesy of the author, Linc Davis.
