How to uninstall NationalSpecial adware

What is NationalSpecial?

NationalSpecial is an adware-type application. As well as running intrusive ad campaigns, it also possess certain characteristics common to browser hijackers, such as browser modification and fake search engine promotion. This app promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net.

Furthermore, most adware programs and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing habits, and it is highly likely that NationalSpecial does this as well. Since few users install this app intentionally, NationalSpecial is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) .

NationalSpecial adware enables the placement of third party graphical content (e.g. advertisements) on any visited website. The delivered ads are intrusive, unwanted and possibly harmful. They reduce browsing and overlay web pages. When clicked, the pop-ups, banners, coupons and other ads redirect to various untrusted and even malicious sites.

When clicked, some intrusive advertisements have the capability to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). As mentioned, this application also has browser hijacker characteristics.

Software classified as such operates by reassigning the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines. Few of these fake search engines can provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) legitimate sites.

With NationalSpecial infiltrated, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened initiates a chain of redirects. Firstly, users are redirected to akamaihd.net, which furthers them to Safe Finder and then to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com), a genuine search engine.

Furthermore, these modifications cannot be undone without removal of the browser hijacker - access to the browser settings is limited/denied, and any permitted changes made are automatically reset. Adware and browser hijackers generally have data tracking capabilities.

They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive details). The collected data is usually shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit.

Therefore, the presence of data tracking content on devices can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect browser and system integrity and user safety, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by NationalSpecial
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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.

Adware may seem like ordinary and useful software. CommonAdmin, QuestSearch and SystemSpecial are just some examples of applications within this classification. Despite their legitimate appearance, the features promised/functions are seldom operational.

This applies to all PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers, with no concern over user convenience or safety. Therefore, rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and track vulnerable data.

How did NationalSpecial install on my computer?

PUAs spread via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactics of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". When downloading/installing, skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps, or using pre-set options increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content.

Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages from which they can be downloaded and purchased. Intrusive ads proliferate these apps as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and can offer deceptive/bundled content.

Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline downloading/installing of additional apps, tools, features and so on.

Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they often redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. adult-dating, pornography, gambling and others).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with NationalSpecial, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once NationalSpecial installation is complete:

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

NationalSpecial adware installation 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:

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

Video showing how to remove NationalSpecial adware using Combo Cleaner:

NationalSpecial adware removal:

Remove NationalSpecial-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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