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How to eliminate CapacityHour adware and the adverts it displays

Also Known As: Ads by CapacityHour
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What kind of application is CapacityHour?

Our research team found the CapacityHour adware-type application during a routine inspection of new submissions to the VirusTotal website. It is part of the AdLoad malware family. This app is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. CapacityHour displays ads that promote deceptive and potentially malicious content.

CapacityHour adware

CapacityHour adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, overlays, coupons, surveys, etc.) on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

These advertisements primarily promote scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and malware. When clicked on, some of them can even execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

Note that while genuine products or services may be encountered via these ads – they are unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by any official parties. It is most probable that this promotion is undertaken by scammers who abuse the content's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Adware might not deliver intrusive ad campaigns if the browser/system or user geolocation is incompatible, particular sites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Keep in mind that even if CapacityHour does not display adverts – its presence on a system remains a threat.

Advertising-supported software belonging to the AdLoad malware family commonly has browser-hijacking abilities – however, we did not observe these qualities while analyzing CapacityHour.

Furthermore, adware usually gathers sensitive information, and this might apply to the CapacityHour app. Targeted data can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. This vulnerable data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, advertising-supported software like CapacityHour may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by CapacityHour
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information This application belongs to Adload malware family.
Symptoms Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), torrent file downloads.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Adware examples

We have investigated countless adware-type applications; VectorGalleryOperationNetworkBrowserElement, and KeyboardVirtual are merely some of our latest finds.

Adware tends to appear legitimate and offer a broad range of functionalities. However, these features are typically fake and nonfunctional – their purpose is to serve as bait that tricks users into downloading/installing the software.

It must be stressed that even if an app or a browser extension works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.

How did CapacityHour install on my computer?

"Bundling" – the marketing technique of packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is widely used in adware distribution.

Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the danger of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is often endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Users primarily enter these pages via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with webpage force-opening capabilities).

Another distribution method is stealthy download/installation by intrusive advertisements. Some of these adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform software downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of adware?

Researching software before downloading or purchasing it is essential. We recommend downloading only from official and verified channels. Another recommendation is to treat installations with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.

We also advise being vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their ordinary/harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with CapacityHour, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once CapacityHour adware's installation is over:

Pop-up displayed once CapacityHour installation is complete

CapacityHour adware's installation folder:

CapacityHour adware install folder

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

Video showing how to remove CapacityHour adware using Combo Cleaner:

CapacityHour adware removal:

Remove CapacityHour-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Manual removal of malicious Mac applications

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash.

After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can decrease browsing quality and system performance. It delivers ads that promote deceptive/malicious content capable of causing system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, and other serious problems. Advertising-supported software usually has data-tracking functionalities – therefore, it is considered to be a threat to user privacy.

What does adware do?

Adware operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. This entails displaying third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, overlays, banners, and other types of ads) on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Additionally, some adware types can generate redirects and collect private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue predominantly via affiliate programs by promoting websites, applications, browser extensions, products, services, etc. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove CapacityHour adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate all adware-type apps present. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. What is more, these components might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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