MacOS:Spigot-AY Adware (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MacOS:Spigot-AY?
Spigot is a dubious company that has released a number of adware-type applications including Slick Savings, Amazon Shopping Assistant, and many others. This company targets both the Windows and MacOS operating systems. "MacOS:Spigot-AY" is a generic name of a threat (a.k.a. Spigot's application) detected by anti-virus programs.
Avast and AVG suites detect these apps as "MacOS:Spigot-AY [PUP]". In any case, if you encounter notifications about a "MacOS:Spigot-AY" threat, your computer is infected with an adware-type application.
Adware-type applications do two things: deliver intrusive advertisements and record sensitive information. After successful system infiltration, these potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) deliver coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar advertisements.
Developers achieve this by employing tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Therefore, ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Furthermore, they might redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download and install malware.
Therefore, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. Adware-type applications are also notorious for tracking browsing activity. These programs collect IP addresses, geo-locations, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, and other information that typically includes personal details.
Furthermore, adware developers often share the details with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, having an information-tracking app installed on your computer might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter "MacOS:Spigot-AY" threat notifications, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
Be aware that these notifications are often triggered by certain files (e.g., Google Chrome's cache). Although anti-virus suites may eliminate adware, some (such as Avast and AVG) do not delete the associated files and you must do it manually (instructions below). If you want to avoid this problem, use the Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
IMPORTANT NOTE! You should never have multiple anti-virus suites installed on your computer. These programs often interfere with each other, resulting in inaccurate scan results, inability to properly remove software/malware, etc. Therefore, if you want to install an alternative anti-virus program, you should first remove the existing one.
Name | MacOS:Spigot-AY virus |
Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady 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. |
There are hundreds of adware-type applications, all of which are virtually identical. No matter who releases this adware, the functionality and behavior is often identical. Companies such as Spigot release adware-type applications with one intention: to generate revenue.
Rather than giving any real value for regular users, potentially unwanted applications deliver intrusive advertisements and gather sensitive information. By offering useful features, adware attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
In some cases, adware-type applications have official download websites, however, developers also proliferate these apps via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps.
Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. They do not disclose this information properly. Furthermore, many users rush these procedures, skip steps, and click various advertisements. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
There are two simple steps you should take to prevent system infiltration by potentially unwanted applications. Carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of additionally-included programs. Download software from official sources only, using direct download links - third party downloaders/installers are likely to "bundle" PUAs, and thus you should avoid them.
Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, but they usually redirect to pornography, adult dating, gambling, and other untrustworthy websites. If you experience these redirects, immediately remove suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Deceptive free software installer distributing Spigot applications:
To delete Google Chrome cache manually follow these steps:
- Go to Library folder (Go -> Go To Folder -> "~/Library")
- Go to Caches folder
- Go to com.google.Chrome
- Delete all data within
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:
- What is MacOS:Spigot-AY?
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
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
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
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.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
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.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
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.
Scan 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.
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.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers
Remove malicious Safari extensions:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
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.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the 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".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (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".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
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