How to uninstall MainReady adware

What is MainReady?

MainReady is adware-type software with browser hijacker characteristics. Following successful infiltration, it delivers intrusive advertisements, modifies browsers and promotes bogus search engines. MainReady promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net. 

Most adware-type programs and browser hijackers monitor browsing activity as well. Due to MainReady's dubious proliferation methods, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). It has been observed being distributed via illegal activation tools ("cracks"), which are often used to proliferate PUAs and even malware (e.g. Trojans, ransomware, etc.).

Adware operates by running intrusive ad campaigns. Therefore, the software delivers pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners and other advertisements that reduce browsing speed and limit web page visibility.

Furthermore, when clicked, they redirect to sale-based, untrusted/rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious websites and can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs. Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs.

Few of these fake search engines can generate unique results, and so usually redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) genuine sites. With MainReady installed, every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to akamaihd.net, and then to Safe Finder, which in turn redirects to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine).

Recovering the affected browser is impossible without removal of the browser hijacker, since any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset (if access to the settings is allowed at all).

Most adware apps and browser hijackers can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). It is highly likely that MainReady has data tracking capabilities as well.

Typically, the collected data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit. To summarize, the presence of these unwanted apps can result in system infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To protect device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by MainReady
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), Sophos AV (Adloadr (PUA)), 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.

GroupSource, DynamicWindow and SearchSystem are examples of other software programs, classified as adware. These apps may seem normal and useful, however, the advertised functions rarely work. This is typical of all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue at users' expense.

Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, cause unwanted redirects, hijack browsers and collect sensitive information.

How did MainReady install on my computer?

PUAs are often proliferated via download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing tactics of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content.

Some PUAs have "official" download pages. Once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched before download/installation. Use only official and verified download sources, as opposed to Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Activate software with tools/functions provided by genuine developers. Illegal activation ("cracking") tools should be avoided, as they are commonly used to distribute PUAs and even malware.

Intrusive ads usually seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and others).

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

Rogue installer (illegal activation "cracking" tool) used to distribute MainReady adware:

Pop-up window displayed once MainReady installation is complete:

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

MainReady adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove MainReady adware using Combo Cleaner:

MainReady adware removal:

Remove MainReady-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.

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