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Remove WindowArea from the system

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

What is WindowArea?

WindowArea is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), an adware-type type app very similar to MatchKnowledge and Top Results. The app supposedly allows users to search more effectively, however, adware is a type of software that feeds users with unwanted ads.

Furthermore, apps such as WindowArea are often used to gather details about users. We strongly advise against the use of WindowArea - uninstall it immediately.

WindowArea adware

When installed, WindowArea forces users to search via the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Although this is a legitimate and trustworthy search engine, people with WindowArea installed on their systems cannot search with their preferred search engine.

Furthermore, adware-type apps force users to see intrusive advertisements. They display ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on. When clicked, these open untrustworthy or even malicious web pages. Furthermore, they sometimes execute scripts that lead to unwanted downloads or installation of other PUAs, or even malware.

Another problem with WindowArea (and other adware) is that apps of this type often collect information relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and so on. Adware developers send the information to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Adware can thus cause privacy and browsing safety issues, and lead to unwanted download/installation of PUAs or even malicious programs. Therefore, remove all adware installed on your computer or browser immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by WindowArea
Threat Type 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.

People sometimes install adware intentionally when they believe it is useful, legitimate, and so on. After installation, however, these apps display unwanted advertisements, record information, and deliver no real value.

How did WindowArea install on my computer?

To trick people into downloading and installing unwanted apps, developers use the "bundling" method. They include PUAs into the download and installation set-ups of regular software. Information about this can usually be found in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar parts of software set-ups.

Many people skip this section and leave available settings unchanged, thus allowing unwanted apps to be downloaded or installed through the setups of other regular software. Unwanted software also infiltrates through deceptive ads that, if clicked, run scripts that cause unwanted downloads and installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Do not download files or software through third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and so on, unofficial pages, or other similar channels. Do not trust third party installers. Download software from official web pages and use direct download links.

Download and install software correctly: study each setup by checking "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options. Decline offers to install or download additional programs. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, since they often redirect to untrustworthy websites.

Untrustworthy ads are usually displayed on pages relating to adult dating, pornography, gambling, and so on. To stop your browser from opening these dubious sites and displaying ads, remove all unwanted extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins installed on the browser and programs installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with WindowArea, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

IMPORTANT NOTE! It is impossible to delete WindowArea unless its process in Activity Monitor is killed. If you attempt to delete it without killing the process, you will encounter this pop-up:

windowarea adware prevents from deleting it

To remove this adware, you must first kill its process using Activity Monitor:

kill windowarea process in activity monitor

Screenshot of WindowArea adware files:

WindowArea adware files

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 WindowArea adware using Combo Cleaner:

WindowArea adware removal:

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

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

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.

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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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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
Ads by WindowArea QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by WindowArea on your mobile device.
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Platform: macOS

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