How to uninstall ProcessLocator adware from the operating system

What is the ProcessLocator adware?

ProcessLocator is a rogue application categorized as adware and a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). It is promoted as supposedly improving the browsing experience by providing accurate search results, fast searches and so on. In fact, this app diminishes the browsing experience.

ProcessLocator operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. It is classified as a PUA, since most users download and install it unintentionally. Furthermore, software within the adware and PUA categories usually has data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity.

ProcessLocator adware enables placement of various unwanted and even harmful ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) on any visited website. These ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they reduce browsing speed and overlay web page content.

Additionally, when clicked, they redirect to sale-based, untrusted, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites. Some intrusive ads can even execute scripts (when clicked) to download/install software without users' permission. PUAs are an example of content that can be infiltrated into systems in this manner.

These unwanted applications have varied capabilities. They can force-open similarly dangerous web pages similar to those opened by intrusive advertisements. Other types can hijack browsers, modifying and restricting/denying access to settings - this is to promote fake search engines.

Most PUAs can track data. They can record users' browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive details). The gathered data is often shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for financial gain - potentially, by putting it to criminal use.

In summary, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to system infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, to ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProcessLocator
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Didnarbois.A), 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. ▼ 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.

SoloProcess, BrowserProduct, WebAidSearch and LeadingSignSearch are some examples of other adware-type apps. They typically seem legitimate and useful, however, users are enticed into downloading/installing them with offers of "useful" capabilities.

These features rarely work as promised and, in most cases, they do not work at all. This applies to practically all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects to untrusted and malicious sites, hijack browsers and collect vulnerable data.

How did ProcessLocator install on my computer?

PUAs proliferate via download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing normal products with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users endanger their systems with potential infiltration and infections originating from bundled content. Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages from which they can be downloaded.

Once clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products prior to download/installation or purchase. All downloads should be performed only from official and trustworthy sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. adult-dating, pornography, gambling and so on).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser extensions-plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ProcessLocator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed when ProcessLocator installation is complete:

Screenshot of ProcessLocator adware installation folder:

ProcessLocator adware installed on the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove ProcessLocator adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProcessLocator adware removal:

Remove ProcessLocator-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.

▼ Show Discussion