Adware is one of the most common types of malware, and while it may seem harmless, it can slow down your Mac and steal data. RocketTab is one example of adware, and you should get rid of it as soon as you notice it. In this article, we’ll show you how to do that.

What is RocketTab?

RocketTab displays adverts in pop-up windows when you browse the web. These adverts sometimes offer money-off coupons or discounts in order to persuade you to click on them. If you do click on them, you’ll be taken to a site where more malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUP) await. And, of course, the advertising network generates revenue from your click.

You can easily spot RocketTab adverts because they are labeled with text like “Powered by RocketTab” or “Ads by RocketTab.”

In addition to leading you to websites where you’ll encounter more malware, it’s possible these adverts will steal data like your IP address or details of websites you visit. And, like other adverts, the process of displaying them can slow down your Mac and consume memory.

How do I know if my Mac is infected

There are several symptoms, in addition to the adverts with the text described above underneath them. These include:

  • Adverts appearing on websites where they wouldn’t normally be displayed
  • Random text on web pages becoming hyperlinked
  • Multiple pop-up windows promoting fake updates, browser toolbars, or other dubious software
  • Browser extensions or apps that you didn’t install appear on your Mac

How did it get on my Mac

Like other adware, the most common distribution method is bundling with other software downloaded from free download sites. These websites use their own proprietary download managers, which package up other software with the app you intended to download. It’s one reason you should avoid any site that insists you use its own download manager.

How to prevent adware getting on your Mac

  1. Don’t use free download sites.
  2. Don’t click on links in email or instant messages like Facebook Messenger unless you are certain where it will take you.
  3. If you see pop-up windows on websites that claim macOS or anything else is out of date, ignore them.
  4. Don’t ignore warnings from your web browser telling you a website is unsafe.
  5. Find out more information about browser extensions before installing them. If you decide to get the extension, make sure you install it from a credible source.
  6. Scan your Mac regularly using an antimalware tool (we recommend CleanMyMac X. It’s fast, easy to use, and has a regularly-updated database of the latest malware).
Tip

When dealing with adware on your Mac, it’s worth checking whether no internet plugin lets it get into your system. Use CleanMyMac X to promptly remove all plugins if you suspect that your Mac is infected by malware. Its Extensions module has Internet Plugins feature, which gathers all your plugins and cleans your Mac of them. Try it out!



How to remove RocketTab ads from your Mac

  1. Go to your Applications folder and locate the app you downloaded just before you noticed the adware. Look for suspicious apps and drag them to the Trash.
  2. In the Finder, click on the Go menu and type the following into the box: /Library/LaunchAgents
  3. Look for anything that has ‘rockettab’ in its name. If you find anything, drag it to the Trash.
  4. Head back to the Go menu and repeat steps 2 and 3 for the following locations:

/Library/Application Support

~/Library/LaunchAgents

/Library/LaunchDaemons

The next thing to do is to get rid of suspicious browser extensions by following these steps:

Safari RocketTab removal 

  1. Click on Safari at the top of the screen and go to Settings.
  2. Choose Extensions and check the list of installed extensions.
  3. If you see one you don’t recognize or that looks suspicious, click on it and select Uninstall.

How to remove RocketTab from Chrome

  1. Navigate to this address: chrome://extensions
  2. Look for suspicious extensions.
  3. If you find one, use the Remove button to get rid of it.

Firefox RocketTab removal

  1. Click on the horizontal bars to the right of the address box.
  2. Select Add-ons and themes.
  3. Go to Extensions.
  4. Look for suspicious extensions.
  5. Click on the ellipsis next to the extension you want to get rid of and choose Remove.

If that seems like a lot of work, here’s some good news: CleanMyMac X allows you to do everything above. With the Uninstaller module, you can delete suspicious apps on your Mac and clean their leftovers. Since every time you add an extension to Safari, your Mac starts downloading this app, Uninstaller provides you with a list of all programs you have and lets you delete all of them at once. Here’s how to remove Safari extensions using CleanMyMac X:

Other in Uninstaller module of CMMX

CleanMyMac X also has a Malware Removal tool, so that should be the first thing you try if you think your Mac has been infected with adware. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download CleanMyMac X and follow the instructions to install it.
  2. Open CleanMyMac X from your Applications folder.
  3. Select the Malware Removal tool.
  4. Click Scan.
  5. If CleanMyMac X finds anything that matches the malware definitions in its database, it will tell you. If it does, just click Remove to get rid of it.

RocketTab is a type of malware known as adware that, once downloaded and installed on your Mac, displays adverts and puts hyperlinks on your text in your browser. Those adverts and links, if you click on them, take you to more malware sites and pay the creator off the original malware per click. RocketTab is bundled with software from free download sites, so to avoid it, you should avoid those sites.

The good news is that if you do find it on your Mac, it’s reasonably easy to get rid of. And if you use CleanMyMac X, it’s even quicker and easier.