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How to uninstall ArchiveIdea adware

Also Known As: Ads by ArchiveIdea
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is ArchiveIdea?

ArchiveIdea is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) classified as adware. This app generates revenue for its developers by feeding users with various advertisements. Research shows that ArchiveIdea is capable of accessing and recording sensitive information and also promotes the Safe Finder web search tool by opening it through akamaihd.net.

Note that people do not generally download or install adware (or other PUAs) intentionally.

ArchiveIdea adware

When installed, adware-type applications such as ArchiveIdea serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and others. Commonly, these lead users to various untrusted web pages or cause download/installation of unwanted, potentially malicious programs.

Therefore, never trust these ads or click them. Furthermore, ArchiveIdea can access data such passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers and other sensitive information. Commonly, these apps target browsing data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of opened web pages, geolocations, etc.

Developers misuse recorded data to generate revenue by selling it to other parties. ArchiveIdea's developers also misuse collected information to hijack various accounts and fraudulent purchases and transactions, steal identities, spread spam campaigns, sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and so on.

People who have this adware installed on their browsers and computers might become victims of identity theft, suffer financial loss, experience problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, and other issues. Therefore, remove ArchiveIdea and any adware that is already installed immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by ArchiveIdea
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names Avast (https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/2eee3eb1c0d70e56ee61bf866a6ec5b1af66c0c07c2f0944c7633d5ddc0c80f4/detection), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
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.

Some examples of other adware-type applications similar to ArchiveIdea are DynamicExtra, ArtemisSearch and TotalLetterSearch. Unfortunately, there are many more. Generally, they serve advertisements and track information. Most do not operate as the developers promise - they deliver no real features and simply cause problems.

How did ArchiveIdea install on my computer?

People often download and install adware and other PUAs inadvertently. They are downloaded and installed through deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts, or together with other software that users wish to download willingly.

Commonly, unwanted downloads and installations happen when PUAs are included into the download/installation set-ups of various programs as 'additional offers'. These offers can be found in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced, and "Manual". Many people fail to check them and allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed with their regular software.

This distribution method of potentially unwanted apps is called "bundling".

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download programs from official websites and through direct links. Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, installers, unofficial pages should be avoided, since they are often used to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted, malicious programs.

Check download and installation set-ups for settings such as "Custom", "Advanced" and so on. Decline any offers to download or install unwanted apps. Do not click advertisements that appear on untrusted websites, since these can open potentially malicious web pages or cause download/installations of unwanted apps.

These are them main reasons why these ads cannot be trusted. Remove all unwanted, unknown and suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with ArchiveIdea, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of a rogue installer (unofficial activation/'cracking' tool) which installs ArchiveIdea:

archiveidea adware rogue installer

Pop-up window displayed once ArchiveIdea installation is complete:

pop-up displayed once ArchiveIdea installation is done

ArchiveIdea redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

ArchiveIdea redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net

ArchiveIdea adware installed on Safari:

archiveidea extension installed on safari

ArchiveIdea installation folder:

archiveidea adware contents folder

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:

Video showing how to remove ArchiveIdea adware using Combo Cleaner:

ArchiveIdea adware removal:

Remove ArchiveIdea-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.

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 1Check 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 2Check 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 3Check 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 4Check 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 5Scan 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

Safari iconRemove 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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
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