How to uninstall OperativeDevice adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove OperativeDevice adware from Mac?
What is OperativeDevice?
OperativeDevice is a piece of dubious software, categorized as adware. It also has browser hijacker qualities. It operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns, making alterations to browser settings - in order to promote fake search engines. OperativeDevice promotes 0yrvtrh.com and the search.adjustablesample.com illegitimate web searchers. Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers spy on users' browsing activity. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute OperativeDevice, it is considered to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads - typically, on any visited website. These adverts overlay page content and slow down the browsing speed. Aside from being a nuisance, these ads are also deemed to be dangerous. Once clicked on, intrusive advertisements redirect to various untrustworthy/malicious webpages and some can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake web searchers. Hence, with OperativeDevice installed: every new browser tab/window opened and web search done via the URL bar - redirect to 0yrvtrh.com or search.adjustablesample.com. Illegitimate search engines are rarely able to provide search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine ones. Furthermore, browser hijackers can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or deny access to the browser's settings. As mentioned in the introduction, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking abilities. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is usually shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety - all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.
| Name | Ads by OperativeDevice |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), SentinelOne (Static ML) (DFI - Suspicious Archive), 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 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. |
OptimalSync, GlobalEngineSearch and PracticalProcesser are a couple examples of other adware-type apps. They appear legitimate and entice users into download/installation with offers of various "useful" functionalities. However, the advertised features are seldom operational. In fact, this is typical of practically all PUAs. Functionality, user convenience and safety are irrelevant, since the only purpose of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advert campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and/or collect private data.
How did OperativeDevice install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) - increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Select PUAs have "official" promotional pages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs without user consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - are considered to be untrustworthy, as they often offer bundled content for downloading. When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, however they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.). Should users experience such ads/redirects, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins from them. If your computer is already infected with OperativeDevice, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once OperativeDevice adware installation is over:
Appearance of OperativeDevice promoting 0yrvtrh.com (GIF):
Appearance of OperativeDevice promoting search.adjustablesample.com (GIF):
OperativeDevice adware's installation folder:
OperativeDevice adware installed onto the Safari browser:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is OperativeDevice?
- STEP 1. Remove OperativeDevice related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove OperativeDevice ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove OperativeDevice adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove OperativeDevice ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove OperativeDevice adware using Combo Cleaner:
OperativeDevice adware removal:
Remove OperativeDevice-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 ads by operativedevice 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
Ads by OperativeDevice removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by operativedevice related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by operativedevice related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by operativedevice related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!