How to remove AreaProduct adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove AreaProduct from Mac computers
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.
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.
| 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 (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
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 macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once AreaProduct installation is complete:
AreaProduct adware installed on Safari:
Installation folder of AreaProduct adware:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
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 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 three days free trial available.
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:
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 ads by areaproduct 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.
Ads by AreaProduct removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by areaproduct 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 ads by areaproduct 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 ads by areaproduct 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.
Outstanding!
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