What is Advanced Mac Cleaner?

Also, this Advanced Mac cleaner - I have read here that ppl say its a scam - is there a way to block this?

Have you actually installed this garbage, or are these just scary sounding ads that pop up while you're using your browser?

There are only two apps experienced users recommend for Macs. MalwareBytes for Mac and EtreCheck. These links are each directly to the respective developer's sites. Do not even think about downloading them from anywhere else.

From what you describe, I would suggest you first run EtreCheck. When it's finished, copy/paste the full report here. All personal information is automatically redacted by EtreCheck. All we'll see is relevant information, which is what type of Mac you have, amount of RAM installed, etc., and the most important part, what processes are running. That will show whether or not your Mac is plagued with adware or other junk.

MalwareBytes focuses on finding adware, ransomware and other junk that shouldn't be on your Mac. When it's done searching, it will show a list of anything it finds and offers to remove it. The app never just deletes things without your okay.

Per other replies, this is a scam. It just happened to me as well. More disturbing is that it popped up after I clicked on a prompt to update my browser's Java (or something) Player, which is a prompt I've gotten on other sites legitimately before. 😟

Very helpful, but just a little bit off and incomplete:

1) AMC file in ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ is now called slightly differently "com.pcv.hlpramcn.plist"

2) if you just remove it and re-login or restart, it is autorestored, you must remove more first
(or maybe just kill "helperamc" after the deletion or before restart, but I didn't test this)

3) there were at least two more directories "Advanced Mac Cleaner" on two different levels:
a) ~/Library/Application Support/Advanced Mac Cleaner/
b) ~/Library/Advanced Mac Cleaner/

Hope this helps, too.

Cheers!
Victor from A'foort

I just went to their website, and I discovered how to remove the pop-up from their help section. So far, so good!

http://www.advancedmaccleaner.com/help/

This Discussion is over two years old and well past its shelf life. Replies to it will not garner much attention. Refer to this more recent one, or post a new Discussion of your own.

Advanced MacCleaner popup virus

Thanks for this,

If step 1 does not work for people it could be because the filename is different. I have just run through this and the filename for me was scom.pcv.hlpramcn.plist instead. Just attempt navigating to the folder and locating the file similar to the filename suggested.

~/Library/LaunchAgents/

A much more recent Discussion including all those changes and more is here: Re: Advanced MacCleaner popup virus.

That one is locked, while this one remains open. The reason people keep finding and replying to this long dead Discussion instead is a mystery.

Is there anything else to do to get rid of amc? I did all of this (not necessarily in the same order, deleted some files before seeing your post, but everything you listed is gone from my computer now) and I'm still getting popup windows, and messages in the terminal about 'helperamc'

Thank you for having such detailed instructions. You helped me remove adware that my "oh so great son" thought it was okay to "click" on. lol. Thanks again for all your great and informative help! Happy New Year...

but just a little bit off and incomplete:

To be expected. The post is almost three years old. Adware has changed a lot since it was written.

Very good and helpful of you to update the file names and locations.

Hi,

Off lately , my MAC has been freezing - it stays up all night even when the lid is down :O - only once the battery drains out - I am able to restart it. I did try the power off 10 secs trick- it did work the second time. How do I avoid this from happening in the future? Is there any anti-virus software that I may install to ensure the system is free of any malware and the likes? Also, this Advanced Mac cleaner - I have read here that ppl say its a scam - is there a way to block this ? It shows a lot of issues with the system. 😟

Mia

This doesn't work for me. I don't know why, but maybe the options have changed with the latest OS software update?

The person to whom you're replying no longer posts in these forums. You might want to consider starting your own, new posts. I think you'll get more and better help that way.

I can't seem to uninstall this, please help!

How???