Remove FilterIdea adware

What is FilterIdea?

The FilterIdea app supposedly helps users to search online. For example, by providing fast searches, more accurate results, and so on.

In fact, FilterIdea is adware-type software, and thus serves various ads. Additionally, it records browsing data and other, sensitive details. In most cases, people download and install adware inadvertently. For this reason, adware-type apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Generally, installed adware displays intrusive ads that conceal underlying content of most/all visited websites. These applications often display coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, and other content of this kind. When clicked, the ads can lead to various untrustworthy websites and sometimes execute scripts that cause download/installation of other unwanted software.

Furthermore, many PUAs of this type gather browsing data. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, and other details. FilterIdea can read sensitive information from websites, such as passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers and other sensitive information.

Developers misuse the recorded data to generate revenue. Therefore, people who have FilterIdea installed on browsers or operating systems might become victims of identity theft, experience financial loss, problems with browsing safety, privacy, and so on. For these reasons, uninstall this adware immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by FilterIdea
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.

In most cases, adware-type apps do not function as promised. They are designed only to help developers to generate revenue by displaying ads and gathering information. Do not trust this software. Other examples of apps that are classified as adware include AgileHelp, TopLookup, and UltraModel.

How did FilterIdea install on my computer?

Most people download and/or install adware such as FilterIdea and other PUAs inadvertently. In most cases, they are tricked by developers who use a deceptive marketing method known as "bundling" - they include PUAs in the set-ups of other (usually free) software and hide related information in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other similar settings of the set-ups.

In summary, unwanted apps are downloaded/installed when people leave settings of the download and installation set-ups unchanged. Additionally, PUAs can be downloaded or installed through clicked intrusive ads, which then run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Check settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" of the download or installation setup. Dismiss any offers to download or install additional applications. Download software or files from official, trustworthy websites and using direct download links.

Other sources/channels such as third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule"), unofficial pages, etc., should not be trusted. Intrusive advertisements often lead people who click them to untrustworthy websites. In some cases, they might cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Do not click such ads, especially if they are shown on dubious pages. For example, those relating to gambling, adult dating, and so on. If the browser displays ads or automatically causes redirects to dubious web pages, it is very likely that a PUA is installed.

Therefore, remove all unwanted, unknown extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins from the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with FilterIdea, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once FilterIdea installation is complete:

FilterIdea installed on Safari:

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

Video showing how to remove FilterIdea adware using Combo Cleaner:

FilterIdea adware removal:

Remove FilterIdea-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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