Remove ManagerBoost adware

What is ManagerBoost?

ManagerBoost is classified as adware and a browser hijacker: it serves advertisements and promotes a fake search engine. Research shows that this app promotes Safe Finder by opening it through akamaihd.net. It is very likely that ManagerBoost also collects data.

Typically, users do not download or install apps such as ManagerBoost (adware, browser hijackers) intentionally and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Adware feeds users with advertisements such as, for example, banners, coupons, pop-up ads, and surveys. Commonly, these ads promote (open) dubious websites. In some cases, they cause unwanted download/installation of unwanted applications. You are advised not to trust or click ads that are served by installed adware (in this case, ManagerBoost).

Furthermore, ManagerBoost hijacks browsers by changing certain browser settings such as the address of the homepage, default search engine, and new tab to the address of a fake search engine.

These search engines are classified as fake since they do not generate unique results - they simply display those generated by other search engines (e.g., Yahoo, Google, Bing). Any results they do generate can include links to bogus websites. Fake search engine addresses can be removed from browser settings only when the browser hijacker is no longer installed.

Additionally, apps such as ManagerBoost often collect various user-system information such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, and addresses of visited pages. Some PUAs are capable of accessing and recording sensitive information as well.

The developers misuse the data to generate revenue. For example, they might sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), thereby putting users at risk identity theft, problems relating browsing safety and online privacy, and other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ManagerBoost
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.4), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), 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 applications that are similar to ManagerBoost are RequestTop, OperativeField and BasicDesktop. Adware and browser hijackers are commonly advertised as useful, and supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, etc.

In fact, most do not operate as advertised and are designed only to generate revenue for the developers by feeding users with advertisements, promoting dubious addresses and collecting data. Therefore, uninstall all PUAs immediately.

How did ManagerBoost install on my computer?

PUAs are often distributed by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other programs. This distribution method is called "bundling". Generally, developers include PUAs as 'additional offers', which can be declined in "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings before completing the process.

Many users fail to check and change these settings when they download and install their programs, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate. In some cases, these downloads and installations are caused by clicking ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Software and files should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), etc., are used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious applications.

Do not click intrusive ads that are shown on dubious web pages, since they can cause unwanted downloads and installations. Decline offers to download or install unwanted apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of the set-ups. Remove any suspicious, unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser immediately.

This also applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ManagerBoost, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ManagerBoost installation is complete:

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

ManagerBoost 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:

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

Video showing how to remove ManagerBoost adware using Combo Cleaner:

ManagerBoost adware removal:

Remove ManagerBoost-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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