The OSMessageTracer application is a legitimate Mac OS program that was a leftover from a previous update.
There has been issues regarding this program stating that it came from an unknown developer and users are worried if they have downloaded malware on their system.
However, users should not fear since the program is actually developed by Apple, and since we have mentioned that this is a leftover from a previous system update, it can be deleted easily.
Should OSMessageTracer be Removed?
We came to the conclusion that it is safe to uninstall OSMessageTracer after determining that doing so shouldn’t have any negative impact on the Mac operating system.
It is advisable to remove it in any case because it is a remnant from a previous system update and no longer serves a purpose.
We should be aware that there is a very low risk that malware will hide itself under the specified system name because malware makers frequently obfuscate by imitating the names of legitimate programs.
Therefore regardless of the possibility, you should get rid of it for your own piece of mind and just in case.
How to Remove OSMessageTracer
Our team has tried and tested every method listed below in order to remove the unwanted application from the Mac OS.
Method 1: Delete OSMessageTracer application with EasyFind (Easiest Fix)
By using sophisticated Boolean operators, EasyFind locates files and folders by name or content. Finding the location of the OSMessageTracer applications with this tool won’t be a problem.
1 Install the EasyFind application via the App Store or click here to automatically go to the app’s download page.
2 Once the app is installed, search for OSMessageTracer using the search bar.
3 Remove the found application/s and your problem should be gone.
Method 2: Delete OSMessageTracer Manually
Step 1: Remove the OSMessageTracer application
1 Open the Finder application from the Dock.
2 Select Application from the left sidebar.
3 Find OSMessageTracer then right click it’s icon then select Move to trash. (We will be using the MacKeeper application as an example.)
If you haven’t find anything in the Applications folder, go to the following path: Library/OSMessageTracer and delete it from there.
Step 2: Remove Files Associated with OSMessageTracer (if there are any)
1 Click the Go from the Finder toolbar and select Go to folder from the expanded menu.
2 Search the following paths for files associated with the OSMessageTracer app. These files will have the .plist extension and will look similarly to com.OSMessageTracer.plist. (Note: Do not delete files that comes from legit applications)
~/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/Application
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
3 Once you have found them, right click and select Move to trash in order to get rid of those files.
Step 3: Empty the Trash Bin
1 From the Dock, right click the Trash application and select Empty Trash in order to delete the files permanently.
2 A confirmation window may appear asking if you really want to delete the files on the Trash, go ahead and proceed to delete them.
Now, the OSMessageTracer application as well as files related to the adware threat are now permanently deleted from the mac system.
Method 3: Remove Profiles Created by OSMessageTracer
Removing the profiles added by OSMessageTracer is required to ensure that there are no configurations left and that the said application may not be installed again.
1 Click the Apple logo on the upper left corner of the screen then select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
2 On the System Preferences window, find and click Profiles. (If you cannot find Profiles, then it means you do not have profiles on your mac. You may skip this procedure and head over to the next step.)
3 Find and remove profiles that may be associated with the adware. Click the minus button on the lower left part of the window to remove the profile.
Method 4: Scan for Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is one of the most powerful anti-malware programs available. They have some of the most advanced threat detection tools, ensuring that any harmful virus on your computer is eliminated completely.
1 Using your web browser, go to the official anti-malware website or click the button above to download the most recent version of the program. When you first download the application, you will also receive a 14-day trial of the premium software.
2 After the file has finished downloading, click on the installation package and run the file to start installing the application.
3 Follow the installation procedure shown on the setup and wait for it to finish.
4 Your password may be required to continue installer from installing the new software. Give it permission and click Install Software.
5 Wait for Malwarebytes Anti-malware to finish installing on the mac system.
6 Once the process is complete, the application will open. Click on the Get started button and follow the procedure to start using Malwarebytes.
7 When prompted to choose between personal and organizational use, click the personal option unless you are downloading it within your company.
8 After the initial start up, proceed to running your first scan. The scanning may take a while depending on how many files you have on your system.
9 Malwarebytes will show all malware identified on the machine after the scan, and you can remove the detected threats by pressing the quarantine button. (Note: Some threats may require a restart of the computer.)
The suspicious OSMessageTracer application, as well as any other potential threats identified on the Mac system, should be removed once the process is finished. We also recommend to turn on Malwarebytes Real Time Protection, which will secure your computer and detect threats as soon as they appear.
