How to avoid installation of AdLoad malware?

How to remove AdLoad from Mac?

What is AdLoad?

AdLoad is a malicious software that targets macOS operating systems. It is capable of avoiding to be detected by built-in macOS security tools and a number of third party antivirus and other security suites of this type. Also, it is designed to prevent victims from removing it from the operating systems. AdLoad is an adware-type malware that hijacks web browsers and forces their users to visit various (potentially malicious) websites which helps cyber criminals to generate revenue.

Research shows that AdLoad is not the only name that is being used to name this malware. It is also known by the names Kreberisec, ApolloSearchDaemon, AphroditeResults, NetSignalSearchDaemon, ApolloSearch and many others. We provided a list of its names below. Quite often this adware-type malware has "SearchDaemon", "Lookup", "DataSearch" and "Results" in its name. AdLoad drops its files in various directories, some of its files can be found easily, some of them not. Either way, it does it only when a victim provides a password of an admin account. This malware drops its two LaunchDaemon files in local domain Library and LaunchAgent file local user Library. For example, if this malware uses the "DataSearch" name, then it drops "com.DataSearch.plist" in "~/Library/LaunchAgents/" and targets executable file in "~/Library/Application Support/com.DataSearch/DataSearch". Then it drops "com.DataSearchDaemon.plist" in "~/Library/LaunchDaemons/" which targets "~/Library/Application Support/com.DataSearchDaemon/DataSearch" and "com.DataSearchP.plist" in "~/Library/LaunchDaemons/" which targets a Macho executable "DataSearchDaemon" in "/var/root/.SearchQuest/DataSearchDaemon". The last item calls a python script ("DataSearch.py") which opens a connection with a remote host. To maintain persistence, DataSearch also creates a hidden directory ("/var/root/.mitmproxy"). Moreover, this malware installs user cronjob and an executable in a subfolder of victim's Library Application Support folder, injected code is designed to run every two hours and thirty minutes. People who have AdLoad installed on their macOS systems involuntary help cyber criminals to generate revenue by being forced to visit various websites that attackers prefer to be visited.

Threat Summary:

Name	AdLoad virus
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (Player(3).dmg)	BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Adload.IZ), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Adload.IZ (B)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Ketin.d), MaxSecure (Trojan.Malware.74395934.susgen), 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	Appearance of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Removal	To eliminate AdLoad virus our malware researchers recommend scanning your computer with Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

Manual removal of AdLoad malware can be a difficult tasks. In order to remove it, it is required to remove all its components such as launch agent, daemon, cron job files and processes in "/var/root". It is very likely that AdLoad will rewrite/recreate them during its manual removal process. However, repeatedly removing the aforementioned files and processes should eventually eliminate the AdLoad malware from the system.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

It is known that AdLoad is distributed through various rogue installers of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) and adware. For example, via installation setups of various fake Flash Players. Typically, these installers are distributed through various unofficial, deceptive, scam websites that are designed to trick people into downloading and executing a setup file that is designed to install unwanted, and/or malicious software, including adware-type malware like AdLoad.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To protect systems from installation of malicious software we recommend not to download anything from unofficial websites, using Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, and so on. The only safe way to download files and programs is by using official websites. If a download or installation setups contains settings like "Custom", "Advanced", etc., they should be checked and offers to download and/or install additional (unwanted) software dismissed. Also, software should not be updated using fake, unofficial updaters that were downloaded from shady pages. We strongly recommend to update installed software through tools and/or implemented functions that are designed by official developers. Intrusive ads, especially if displayed on shady pages, should not be clicked. They often lead to shady pages that are designed to trick people into installing unwanted software or run scripts that are designed to download and install it. One more important thing is to scan operating system with a reputable antivirus software regularly and make sure that it is always up to date. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

List of known names that are used for AdLoad malware:

• AphroditeLookup
• AphroditeResults
• ApolloSearch
• ApolloSearchDaemon
• ArtemisSearch
• ArtemisSearchDaemon
• ElementaryDataSearch
• ElementarySignalSearchDaemon
• FindData
• GlobalConsoleSearch
• GlobalQuestSearch
• GlobalQuestSearchDaemon
• Kreberisec
• NetSignalSearchDaemon
• ResultSync
• SearchAdditionally
• SearchAdditionallyDaemon
• SearchQuest
• SearchQuestDaemon
• SimpleFunctionSearch
• SimpleSearchAppDaemon
• TrustedMacResultsSearchDaemon
• VirtualToolboxSearchDaemon
• WebSearchStride

Installer of a Fake Flash Player which is designed to install AdLoad malware:

Instant automatic removal of AdLoad virus: 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 AdLoad virus. 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. Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

Quick menu:

• What is AdLoad?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

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

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove 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 adload virus 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.

AdLoad virus removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove adload virus related Safari extensions:

Open 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 normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove adload virus related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".

Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Remove adload virus related Google Chrome add-ons:

Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".

In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.