How to uninstall DivisionFormat adware from the operating system

What is DivisionFormat?

DivisionFormat is a rogue application, classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, it runs intrusive advertisement campaign, makes modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines (for example, search.dominantmethod.com).

Additionally, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers record users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate DivisionFormat, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One of the distribution techniques used for this app is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates.

Note that bogus software updaters/installers also proliferate malware (e.g. ransomware, Trojans, etc.).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive ads. These significantly diminish the browsing experience by reducing browsing speed and overlaying web page content.

Furthermore, when clicked, these ads redirect to various dubious/malicious websites and some can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers assign the addresses of bogus search engines (e.g. search.dominantmethod.com) as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, with this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it. Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities, and it is likely that this is the case with DivisionFormat.

These unwanted applications can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is typically shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, PUAs can cause system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even lead to identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DivisionFormat
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Sophos AV (Adloadr (PUA)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), Full List (VirusTotal).
Promoted URL	search.dominantmethod.com
Serving IP Address (search.dominantmethod.com)	52.84.53.129
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.

AssistiveRecord, AssistiveUnit, PracticalDivision and OperativeDesktop are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and useful, however, despite how good the promised functionality may sound, they are rarely operational. In fact, this is true of most PUAs.

These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and gather sensitive information.

How did DivisionFormat install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate these applications into systems as well. Once 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 software before download/installation and/or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling, and so on).

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

DivisionFormat adware distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player updater/installer:

Pop-up window displayed once DivisionFormat installation is complete:

Appearance of DivisionFormat adware promoting search.dominantmethod.com, which redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

DivisionFormat adware installation folder:

DivisionFormat adware installed onto the Safari browser:

DivisionFormat adware promoting search.dominantmethod.com by assigning it as the Google Chrome browser's default search engine:

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

Video showing how to remove DivisionFormat adware using Combo Cleaner:

DivisionFormat adware removal:

Remove DivisionFormat-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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