How to remove ScreenCapture.app adware

What is ScreenCapture?

Identical to Spaces.app and Spotlight.app, ScreenCapture (also known as ScreenCapture.app) is an adware-type application designed to promote the searchbaron.com fake search engine, which is designed to redirect users to bing.com by using the Amazon AWS service.

This application typically infiltrates computers without users' consent. Note that adware-type applications often deliver intrusive ads and gather information relating to users' browsing activity.

Following infiltration, ScreenCapture stealthily runs in the system background and monitors browsing activity. Once a search query is entered by the user, ScreenCapture immediately redirects users to searchbaron.com, which then redirects to bing.com. ScreenCapture itself might also redirect to bing.com using the aforementioned Amazon AWS service.

In any case, users end up searching via Bing, a legitimate search engine developed by Microsoft. Note, however, that Microsoft has nothing to do with this adware. The redirects are harmless, but are performed for several reasons. ScreenCapture allows searchbaron.com to record user-system information such as search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, and so on.

Additionally, ScreenCapture generates fake traffic. Adware-type applications often deliver intrusive advertisements such as coupons, banners, pop-ups, and similar that redirect to dubious websites and even run scripts that download/install other PUAs.

Adware is also likely to record data such as website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other information relating to browsing habits. Collected data is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Thus, having a data-tracking app installed on your computer might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

Note that, unlike other adware-type apps, ScreenCapture's removal process is rather complicated, since deleting ScreenCapture files is impossible when its associated process is running (the process is automatically re-executed when it is terminated by the user). Therefore, a number of steps must be taken to successfully remove this adware. You can find more information below.

Threat Summary:

Name	ScreenCapture.app virus
Threat Type	Browser hijacker, Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
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-type applications, all of which share many similarities. By offering "useful features", adware-type applications attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these programs have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any value for regular users, adware-type applications cause unwanted redirects, gather information, and deliver intrusive advertisements, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy and computer safety.

How did ScreenCapture install on my computer?

Adware-type applications such as ScreenCapture are typically distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software.

Developers know that many users skip download/installation steps. Therefore, all "bundled" applications are hidden behind "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of these procedures. By rushing and skipping steps, many users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading and installing software. Bear in mind that developers invest many resources into intrusive ad design, thereby making them seem legitimate. Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar).

If you continually encounter these ads/redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, study each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, preferably using direct download links.

Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue applications, and thus these tools should never be used. If your computer is already infected with ScreenCapture, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Fake error message displayed by the ScreenCapture application:

Text presented within this error:

Your computer is low on memory.

To free up some memory, please close a few applications.

Appearance of ScreenCapture adware redirecting to searchbaron.com which, in turn, redirects to bing.com:

IMPORTANT NOTE! As mentioned above, removing the ScreenCapture application is a rather complicated process, since deleting this application without firstly terminating its associated process is impossible - the process is automatically re-started immediately it is terminated. Therefore, to remove this application, you must perform the following steps:

1) Navigate to the "~/Library/Application Support/.screencapture/" directory, right-click on the "ScreenCapture" application, and select "Show Package Contents":

2) Navigate to the "Contents/MacOS" directory and delete the "ScreenCapture" application:

3) Once the previous steps are performed, the process associated with the ScreenCapture application will no longer be automatically re-started and you will be able to easily terminate it and remove the remaining application files:

4) After removing the ScreenCapture application, navigate to the "/Users/Test/Library/Application Support" directory and enable the display of hidden directories. Then, search for a directory with a dubious name (e.g., ".helper", ".dir", or similar), which contains an application called "Finder".

Once located, this entire directory must be deleted. Note that MacOS actually has a genuine Finder application. Yet, the malicious version has a completely different icon (typically, a Terminal logo) and criminals simply use this as a disguise:

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

Video showing how to remove ScreenCapture.app adware using Combo Cleaner:

ScreenCapture adware removal:

Remove ScreenCapture-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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