Remove CustomStrategic from Mac systems

What is CustomStrategic?

CustomStrategic is the name of an application supposedly designed to enhance the browsing experience, and to provide fast/accurate search results and other browsing-related features.

In fact, this software operates as adware: it displays advertisements while users are browsing the web and collects information relating to them. You are advised to uninstall CustomStrategic and any other adware immediately.

Typically, adware installed on browsers and/or operating systems leads to display of intrusive, annoying advertisements. For example, pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and so on. If clicked, these force browsers to open untrustworthy websites that advertise dubious, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

CustomStrategic is also classified as PUA, since people usually download and install adware unintentionally. Furthermore, installed adware might be designed to collect user data such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, etc.

PUAs can also record personal information. In most cases, developers of this software (adware and other PUAs) share the data with third parties who often misuse it to generate revenue. There is a strong possibility that the data might also be shared with cyber criminals.

Adware users can thus experience problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, or they might even become victims of identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall CustomStrategic and other PUAs (including adware) immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by CustomStrategic
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Full List (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), 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.

CustomStrategic is very similar to many other adware-type apps such as ExtraList, OutputData, and MetroPremium. Typically, these adware infections are advertised as legitimate software, which supposedly provides useful features, however, adware does not function as advertised and causes only problems.

How did CustomStrategic install on my computer?

Many users download and install unwanted apps unintentionally through intrusive ads that they (intentionally or accidentally) click or together with other, mostly free software. In the latter case, unwanted downloads and/or installations occur when software developers use the "bundling" method.

They use this method to trick people into causing unwanted downloads and installations by including PUAs into the download/installation set-ups and hiding related information in "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar settings. People who download and install programs without checking and changing these settings/options often allow PUAs to be installed by default.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

To avoid unwanted downloads and installations, download software (especially if it is free) from official websites and using direct download links. Avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, etc.) and other such tools to download or install software.

Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings included in the set-ups and dismiss offers to download/install any unwanted, additionally-included programs. Do not trust or click intrusive ads. Once clicked, they can redirect users to untrustworthy websites or download/install unwanted apps.

Typically, untrustworthy ads are displayed on dubious web pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. To stop the browser from showing unwanted ads or opening dubious web pages, check for dubious extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins.

Also check for unwanted programs on the computer. Remove unwanted, suspicious or unknown software immediately. If your computer is already infected with CustomStrategic, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once CustomStrategic installation is complete:

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

Video showing how to remove CustomStrategic adware using Combo Cleaner:

CustomStrategic adware removal:

Remove CustomStrategic-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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