What is Putlocker virus? Is My Mac infected with virus? How to stop unwanted ads and pop-ups from safari and Chrome?
What is Putlocker virus
Putlocker virus is used as a term that represents a series of websites out here providing online movie streaming services. The original Putlocker website was active since years that offers users with various streaming services to watch TV shows, movies and videos. But it is already been shut down a few years back.
It is also worth noting that, the original website was not malicious, but now there are several of malicious domains hosted by using the similar domain name like putlocker9.com, www0.putlocker.cl, putlocker.co, putlocker.is, www5.putlockers.net, ww2.putlockerfree.sc, putlockertv.to, 123putlocker.info, www.putlockers.me, putlockers.pro, putlocker.style, www2.putlocker.vip, putlocker.vc.
These domains when visited are loaded with plenty of fake links that may appear useful to users. As they click on the “Play” button to watch any video content, you will find yourself being redirected to some other notorious website. These clones sites are not safe to visit as it may drop numerous potentially unwanted programs silently on the system.

Putlocker virus on Mac OS X
These fake Putlocker virus can target both Windows and Mac users. So there are complaints about its fake domains which suddenly started weird activities on their browser. And soon the browser went out of control. Some of the signs of infection by Putlocker virus are: Pop-ups, ads, video ads, in-text links and subscribing users for push notifications. Similar like “Please Tap the Allow button to View the contents” pop-up scam.
The main purpose of Putlocker malicious sites is to distribute third-party advertisements without respecting the privacy and security of users These ads are designed to be appear very attractive and thus users often click on it to know more, but they generally end up being redirected to more dangerous websites.

Putlocker Redirect pages on Mac OS X
It can further lead to series of consequences like:
- Random redirection to fake pages;
- Accidental download of malware or PUPs.
- Showing pop-ups to enable push notifications for some fake site.
- Lead to scamming pages that may appear genuine but are actually fake and can steal the data entered to it.
- Ads and pop-ups may promote fake software, extensions and toolbars.
- Often drop payloads of severely damaging threats that can exploit the privacy to an extent.
If you choose to visit the Putlocker series of sites for streaming movies online, then you are putting your privacy at risk. This is an awareness post written to make users understand the consequences it can lead. However, if you are already infected with Putlocker virus then, you should stop using your infected browser as well as system. And follow the removal instructions to remove Putlocker series of virus.
You Should also use a secure VPN service, if you visit such streaming sites, because they often trace user’s lots of browsing data to display a variety of advertisements. VPNs also lets users to surf anonymously without compromising their privacy.
Read more about: VPN For Secure Browsing-It’s Time to Switch.
More information on Combo Cleaner, EULA,and Privacy Policy. Combo Cleaner scans the infected PC for free but you need to purchase its full version for complete removal.
Combo Cleaner is a complete security suite for Mac OS that is developed by “RCS LT” company. This program is featured with anti-virus scanner and system optimization tools like disk cleaner, duplicate files finder, application uninstaller, privacy scanner, and 24*7 customer support service.
Rather than being just a traditional anti-virus or a system optimizer, this single program takes a different approach that eases the user from using a different application to keep their MAC OS protected and optimized.
It is very important to have a reliable anti-virus solution for the computer system. Combo cleaner is one of the best options for MAC users as detects and eliminates all sorts of threats like adware, browser hijacker, Trojans, and other malware. It is a light-themed, easy-to-use interface and keeps updating its threat database hourly to instant detect and remove any sort of malware. Thus ensuring not any malicious stuff is behind within the system.
How to Install and Scan with Combo Cleaner
- Click the above button to Download the “Combo Cleaner”;
- Once the download completes, double-click on the downloaded file;
- After the window opens, drag the Combo Cleaner program icon and drop into your “Applications folder” icon.
Combo Cleaner Install Step 2
- Now, open your “Launchpad” and click on the “Combo Cleaner” icon.
Combo Cleaner Install Step 3
- This will start the combo cleaner installation and updates its latest virus definition. Once done, Combo cleaner will launch;
Combo Cleaner Dashboard
- Click on “Antivirus” tab and choose the scan options like Quick, Full, and custom. (Full is recommended for the first time)
Start Scan For Putlocker virus
- Let the scan be completed and it will list all the threat found. Now, click on “Remove All Threats”;
Scan Result Shows Program associated with Putlocker virus
- After removing the threats, click on the “uninstaller” to find and remove any unwanted programs. Select the program from the list and its related files and then click on “Remove Selected Items“

Remove Putlocker virus
If you still have the second thought about this anti-malware, then you may want to check out our review article about Combo Cleaner.
If you are going for the manual removal process, then we recommend you to print/download these instructions or open it from another uninfected computer or laptop and follow step-by-step manual removal instruction. Mac OS PDF Guide
Step 1. Ending Process Running Under The “Activity Monitor”
- Type “Activity Monitor” in the Launchpad to open it;
Launchpad-1.1.1
Activity Minor – 1.1.2
- Scroll through the list of running apps, look for the suspicious ones that appear unknown to you or taking huge CPU resources.
- Use the [x] button to quit the process.
Force Stop -1.2 and 1.3
Step 2. Remove Putlocker virus Malicious Apps From Mac OS
- Open “Finder” by clicking on the Finder application on your dock.
Finder – 2.1
- In the left pane of the Finder, click on “Applications“.
Applications – 2.2
- Next, you need to locate the Putlocker virus Adware/suspicious apps and remove them. The “Applications” window will display the list of all apps installed on your Mac OS.
Step – 2.3
- Now, you need to go through the list to find out the Putlocker virus and other suspicious/malicious or infectious app, select it then right click and then select “Move to Trash”. (Repeat this step until you remove all such apps).
Move to Trash – 2.4
- Now you need to empty the trash as sometimes program can restore themselves from the trash. On your dock, right-click on the trash icon and then select “Empty Trash”.
Step – 2.5.1
Step 2.5.2
NOTE: if something looks suspicious to you but you are not sure of that, search the web to find out more about that app.
Step 3. Remove Putlocker virus Apps From Auto-Startup
Generally, malicious programs, Adware and spyware add themselves to the boot process to launch automatically whenever the device boots. So, you need to find such apps and remove from the startups.
- Open Apple menu ? System Preferences
Step – 3.1
- Now, choose “Users & Groups” section
Step – 3.2
- Select your username from the left pane;
Step – 3.3
- A list will appear showing login items; check the list and use “—” sign to disable Putlocker virus or other suspicious/unwanted apps you see. Close the screen.
Step – 3.4
- Next step, from the top menu, choose Go ? Go to Folder, then type /Users/Shared/ within the search box. In the “Sharedfolder”, you need to delete the “Similar” files and folders.
Step – 3.5.1
Step – 3.5.2
Step – 3.5.3
- Now Restart your Mac to make the changes into effect.
Step – 3.6
Step 4. Remove Putlocker virus Daemons And Agents From Mac’s Startup
- From top menu ? Choose Go ? Go to Folder
Step – 4.1
- Type in “/Library/LaunchDaemons”, within this location you will see lots of files with .plist extension. Scroll through it and find the ones which appear to be suspicious and delete them.
Step – 4.2.1
Step – 4.2.2
- Do the same for other launching agents locations:
-
- /Library/LaunchAgents
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
For example: an adware named Vsearch, you may get launching agent as :
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist
Don’t forget to empty the trash and then restart the computer.Step – 4.3.1
Step – 4.3.2
-
- After restart, again repeat step 1-2 and type in: /System/Library/Frameworks/ (look for the malicious file with .framework extension like /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework)
Step 4.4.1
Step – 4.4.2
- Put the file to trash, if you find one with a malicious name.
- Similarly, do more searches within the location:
- /Library/Application Support/
- /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/
Step – 4.6.1
Step – 4.6.2
Step – 4.6.3
Step – 4.6.4
- Put them to trash and again empty the trash and restart the computer.
Step- 4.7.1
Step – 4.7.2
Step – 4.7.3
Step 5. Uninstall Putlocker virus Or Unwanted/Suspicious Extensions From Browsers
Follow the steps to remove unwanted and suspicious extensions from the Safari browser:
- On the Safari browser, click the “Safari” menu then select “Preferences”.
Reset Mac Safari Step-1
- On the General tab of the Safari preferences, check for any unknown URL added as the default homepage, Within the “Homepage” field enter your preferred URL as your default start-page of the browser.
Reset Mac Safari Step-2
- Next, you need to check for malicious extensions, click on the “Extensions” tab on the same window.
- “Extensions” screen will list all the extensions installed on your safari browser, you need to browse through the list and uninstall the ones which appear to be Adware. If you find a malicious extension select it and then click on “Uninstall”. Repeat the steps to remove all unwanted extensions.
Reset Mac Safari Step-3
- Close the Safari browser.
To check for unknown extensions installed:
- Click on Chrome Menu(three vertical dots at top-right corner) ? Select “Settings” ? Choose “Extensions”.
Remove Chrome Extensions 1
- Scroll through the list of extensions installed on the Chrome browser, if any one of them appears to malicious then click on the “trash” icon next to it. This will remove the extension.
Remove Chrome Extensions 2
- Repeat the step until you are sure of the ones you like to keep.
To Reset The Browser:
Next, you need to reset the default settings like search engines, startup, and new tabs. It is better to use the default reset feature of the Google Chrome which will reset all the unwanted modifications done by third-party programs. Don’t worry you will not lose your saved passwords and bookmarks. However, it will delete cookies, extensions, startups, URLs, homepage and new tabs preferences.
- Click on Chrome’s main menu then choose “Settings“.
Reset Browser Chrome 1
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Advanced”.
Reset Browser Chrome 2
- Under the Advanced page, go for “Reset and clean up” section, then click on “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
Reset Browser Chrome 3
- Next, click on “Reset”, you will be prompted for a confirmation This will reset your startup page, a new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared”
- Click on the “Reset Settings” button to confirm the procedure.
Reset Browser Chrome 4
- After that, it may ask to restart your browser, click “Yes”.