ApplicationWork Adware (Mac)

What is ApplicationWork?

ApplicationWork (also known as Application.work) is one of many potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that are distributed through other software (they are bundled into set-ups). This application is categorized as adware - software that serves users with intrusive advertisements. Furthermore, many PUAs of this type often gather user-system information.

Typically, adware-type apps feed unsuspecting users with coupons, pop-up ads, surveys, banners, and other annoying content. Generally, they conceal underlying content of visited websites, thus making it difficult to avoid clicking them. For example, when trying to close them. When clicked, they can open dubious websites. For example, scam websites.

In some cases, ads of this kind, if clicked, run scripts that cause download and installation of unwanted applications. Downloaded/installed apps might be malicious and lead to computer infections.

Furthermore, these apps are generally designed to collect browsing-related (and other) data - geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, and so on. Some PUAs also gather personal data. Developers share the details with third parties who misuse private information to generate revenue.

Some of these people might be cyber criminals. To avoid problems relating to privacy and browsing safety that can be caused by having these apps installed, we recommend that you remove them immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Application.work
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (ApplicationWork.app.zip)	Ikarus (PUA.OSX.Adware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying 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.

Most adware-type and other PUAs are promoted as supposedly legitimate and somehow useful, however, these are attempts to trick people into downloading and installing them. Once this is done, rather than delivering the features promised, they simply cause problems and perform actions that developers use to generate revenue.

Some examples of other adware-type apps are TopicLookup, ChangeToPDF, and Snap Media Player.

How did ApplicationWork install on my computer?

It is sometimes possible to download unwanted applications from their websites, however, most users download and install them unintentionally. Software developers often use the "bundling" method to trick people into installing PUAs. They achieve this by including (bundling) unwanted programs into set-ups of other software that people download and install intentionally.

They hide PUAs in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings or options of the set-ups. Furthermore, many users skip download/installation steps without checking the settings, thus leading to unwanted downloads and installations. Intrusive ads also lead to unintentional downloads/installations. If clicked, some download and install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software using official and trustworthy websites and direct links. Avoid using third party downloaders, downloading tools such as Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, etc. Do not skip download or installation steps without checking "Custom", "Advanced" and other options/settings.

If there are any additional (potentially unwanted) applications included/bundled, deselect them and only then finish the download or installation. Furthermore, intrusive ads, if clicked, often redirect to deceptive, untrustworthy or even malicious websites. These ads are usually displayed on dubious pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on.

If you encounter these ads or redirects, check the list of installed extensions, add-ons, and plugins on your browser and remove all unwanted/unknown entries immediately.

We also recommend that you uninstall unwanted programs installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ApplicationWork, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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 ApplicationWork?
• STEP 1. Remove ApplicationWork related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove ApplicationWork ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove ApplicationWork adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ApplicationWork ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

ApplicationWork adware removal:

Remove ApplicationWork-related 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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