PDF Genie Adware (Mac)

What is PDF Genie?

PDF Genie is advertised as a PDF file converter that is apparently supported by the best technology. It supposedly allows conversion of all popular documents to PDF format and vice versa.

Unfortunately, research shows that PDF Genie is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), software categorized as adware. Adware-type apps serve users with unwanted, intrusive ads and often gather private data.

Typically, adware-type applications feed users with unwanted ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, and so on. These are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the ads conceal underlying content of visited/opened web pages.

Additionally, users who click them are often redirected to untrustworthy websites. Some of these ads might be designed to run scripts that cause download and installation of other unwanted (or even malicious) apps. Furthermore, PUAs operate as information tracking tools.

They gather information such as entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, geolocations and other details relating to users' browsing habits.

There is a strong possibility that personal details will also be recorded. Developers share the collected data with other parties who misuse it to generate revenue. These third parties might include cyber criminals. If there are adware-type apps installed on the browser or operating system, remove them immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PDF Genie
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Related Domain	pdfgenie[.]net
Serving IP Address (pdfgenie[.]net)	192.155.106.117
Supposed Functionality	This app supposedly converts various documents to PDF files and vice versa
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), 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.

The Internet is full of adware. Some examples of other apps of this type are PDF Mac Master, 1 Click PDF, and NG Player.

Typically, developers advertise PUAs (adware and other unwanted apps) as useful and legitimate applications, however, most do not operate as promised. Adware-type apps often cause privacy/browsing safety issues and lead to unwanted downloads and installations.

How did PDF Genie install on my computer?

Typically, people do not download and install unwanted apps intentionally - this happens when they click intrusive, deceptive ads that run scripts that lead to infiltration. In other cases, PUAs are downloaded/installed with other (usually free) software. I.e., when unwanted apps are 'bundled' into software set-ups.

Developers hide information about the inclusion of unwanted apps in options such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. Various unwanted apps are downloaded and installed when people leave these settings unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download all programs from trustworthy, official websites and not third party downloaders, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients eMule, or other such tools. Do not leave "Custom"/"Advanced" and other options/settings of any setup unchecked. Deselect offers to download or install unwanted software and only then complete the setup.

Furthermore, avoid clicking intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious web pages. For example, those relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. If, however, such web pages are opened randomly or unwanted ads appear regularly, check the browser for suspicious plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions, and remove them.

Also check the list of programs installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PDF Genie, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Website promoting PDF Genie:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 PDF Genie?
• STEP 1. Remove PDF Genie related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove PDF Genie ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove PDF Genie adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove PDF Genie ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

PDF Genie adware removal:

Remove PDF Genie-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.

▼ Show Discussion