How to remove SystemSpin adware from the Mac operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove SystemSpin from Mac computers
What is SystemSpin?
SystemSpin is a rogue application endorsed as a tool to improve the browsing experience. It is supposedly capable of providing fast searches, accurate search results, and so on. In fact, SystemSpin operates as adware and delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns. Most adware-type apps monitor users' browsing activity and gather sensitive information derived from it. It is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) due to its dubious proliferation methods.
Adware-type applications deliver various annoying and harmful ads (e.g. pop-ups banners, coupons, surveys and so on). These significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they affect browsing speed and limit site visibility (by overlaying web page content). Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive advertisements redirects to sale-oriented, untrusted, rogue, compromised, deceptive, scam and malicious web pages. They can also execute scripts designed to download/install software (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent. All PUAs (including adware-types) have data tracking capabilities. They can record users' browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This vulnerable data is then shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for profit - potentially, by putting it to criminal use. In summary, the presence of PUAs on systems can lead to various infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. Therefore, to ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspicious applications, extensions and plug-ins without delay.
| Name | Ads by SystemSpin |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), ZoneAlarm by Check Point (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), 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. |
Adware may seem legitimate and useful software (examples include ContentBenefits, UtilityParse and ThreadProperty), however, these programs lure people into downloading/installing with offers of "useful" functions, which rarely work as promised (in most cases, these functions are nonoperational). In fact, this extends to all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects to untrusted and malicious websites, modify browsers and limit/deny access to settings, and gather private data.
How did SystemSpin install on my computer?
Some PUAs have "official" download web pages, which are often promoted by deceptive/scam sites, however, they can also be downloaded/installed together with other products. The term "bundling" defines this deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions. When downloading/installing, ignoring or skimming terms, skipping steps and sections, and using presets increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content onto devices. Intrusive ads can also infiltrate PUAs into systems - once clicked, they can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Research all products to verify their legitimacy, before download/installation. All downloads should be performed through official and trustworthy sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer dubious content. Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" options and decline download/installation of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Caution should also be exercised when browsing. Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate and harmless, however, once clicked, they can cause redirects to highly dubious web pages (gambling, pornography, adult-dating and many others). If you encounter these ads/redirects, check them system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SystemSpin, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once SystemSpin installation is complete:
Screenshot of SystemSpin adware installation folder:
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 SystemSpin?
- STEP 1. Remove SystemSpin related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SystemSpin ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SystemSpin adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SystemSpin ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SystemSpin adware using Combo Cleaner:
SystemSpin adware removal:
Remove SystemSpin-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 systemspin 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 SystemSpin removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by systemspin 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 systemspin 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 systemspin 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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