How to uninstall MapperObject adware

What is MapperObject?

MapperObject is an adware-type application that possesses browser hijacker characteristics. Following successful infiltration, this app delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns, modifies browsers and promotes a bogus search engine. MapperObject promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net.

Most adware infections and browser hijackers can track browsing-related data and extract vulnerable information from it. Since most users download/install MapperObject unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers various unwanted and even harmful pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. These overlay web page content and limit browsing speed. Additionally, when clicked, the ads redirect to untrusted/malicious websites and some can stealthily download/install rogue software (PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines. Therefore, with browser hijacking software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address.

MapperObject promotes Safe Finder (through akamaihd.net) in this manner, and the aforementioned user actions then cause the redirects. Most bogus search engines cannot generate unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine search engines.

As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities, and it is likely that this includes MapperObject. These unwanted applications can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The collected data is usually shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit.

Therefore, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by MapperObject
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.

IdeaReference, SearchLetters and InterfaceSample are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and harmless, however, users are enticed into download/installation with offers of "useful" features. The functionality promised is rarely operational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no genuine value who can instead experience serious problems. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and gather private data.

How did MapperObject install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well.

Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content, and are thus untrusted.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, and so on. Intrusive ads typically seem normal and innocuous, however, they often redirect to dubious sites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

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

Pop-up window displayed once MapperObject installation is complete:

MapperObject redirecting users to the Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

MapperObject adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove MapperObject adware using Combo Cleaner:

MapperObject adware removal:

Remove MapperObject-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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