AreaProduct Adware (Mac)

What is AreaProduct?

AreaProduct is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), which is classified as adware. Generally, these apps serve various advertisements and collect browsing data. Few people download or install apps such as AreaProduct intentionally - another reason why they are classified as PUAs.

AreaProduct adware

Some examples of unwanted content (ads) that adware-type applications such as AreaProduct serve are pop-up ads, banners, coupons, surveys, etc. People who click these ads are usually redirected to various untrustworthy websites, and sometimes they cause download/installation of PUAs or even malicious programs.

Some ads of this type execute scripts that download and/or install unwanted software, however, they cannot cause this without first being clicked. Furthermore, PUAs such as AreaProduct usually collect browsing data. They record information such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, and so on.

Research shows that AreaProduct records sensitive, confidential data from websites such as passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers, and other details. It is possible that developers will misuse this information to generate revenue.

This might cause users of AreaProduct problems with privacy, browsing safety, and they might become victims of identity theft, experience monetary loss, and so on. Therefore, AreaProduct should not be trusted. If this app is already installed on the browser and/or operating system, eliminate it immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name	Ads by AreaProduct
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.SearchExt.gen), ZoneAlarm by Check Point (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.SearchExt.gen), 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 (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

This adware is similar to many other apps of this type. Some examples are SearchAdditionally, ElementsCentral and PhaseSearch. Apps of this type are advertised as legitimate, and supposedly deliver useful features. In fact, most are useless and lead to unwanted downloads/installations, force browsers to display ads, and so on.

How did AreaProduct install on my computer?

PUAs such as adware are usually downloaded and/or installed through untrustworthy, deceptive advertisements, or when software developers distribute them using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They use this method to trick people into unwanted download/installation of PUAs through the download and installation set-ups of other programs.

I.e., they include PUAs into the set-ups as additional offers and hide related information in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", etc. PUAs are then downloaded and installed when people leave those settings unchanged - this grants permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed with regular software by default.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Software should be downloaded from official, trustworthy websites. Other tools, sources such as third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), unofficial websites, should not be trusted or used. Check all "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings that are available in the download/installation set-ups.

Dismiss any offers to download or install additional, unwanted software. Do not click intrusive ads, especially those that appear on dubious websites relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. When clicked, they can open potentially malicious web pages or cause unwanted downloads/installations.

To stop your browser from opening untrustworthy web pages or showing advertisements, uninstall all unwanted apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons), and programs of this type from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with AreaProduct, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once AreaProduct installation is complete:

pop-up displayed once AreaProduct installation is done

AreaProduct adware installed on Safari:

AreaProduct adware Safari extension

Installation folder of AreaProduct adware:

AreaProduct adware installation folder and files

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

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

Video showing how to remove AreaProduct adware using Combo Cleaner:

AreaProduct adware removal:

Remove AreaProduct-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.

DOWNLOAD remover for malware infections

Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

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 1 Check 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 2 Check 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 3 Check 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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4 Check 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 5 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.

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

Remove 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.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

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".