How to remove FieldIndexer unwanted application?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove FieldIndexer from Mac?
What is FieldIndexer?
Since FieldIndexer is classified as adware, it feeds users with various advertisements. It is common that apps of this type are designed to collect information related to user's browsing habits, therefore, FieldIndexer might be one of those apps. Additionally, it could be designed to promote some fake search engine (function as a browser hijacker). In most cases users download and install adware inadvertently (unknowingly). For this reason they are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Typically, applications like FieldIndexer are designed to generate revenue for their developers by serving various advertisements (e.g., banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads). Quite often users who click those ads end up on questionable pages. Sometimes such ads can cause download and/or installation of some PUA, although, it happens only when those ads are designed to execute certain scripts. Furthermore, adware can be designed to collect browsing data, for example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites. Also, they can be designed to gather sensitive information. Moreover, gathered data could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misused to generate revenue in other ways. As mentioned in the introduction, FieldIndexer my function as a browser hijacker - it could be designed to change browser settings. Typically, browser hijackers promote some fake search engine by making its address as a homepage, default search engine and address of a new tab. Quite often users cannot remove the address promoted by a browser hijacker and/or adware from browser settings unless they uninstall that app. These are the main reasons why FieldIndexer should never be downloaded and installed.
| Name | Ads by FieldIndexer |
| 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. |
Quite often apps like FieldIndexer are advertised as legitimate applications that supposed to improve browsing experience, include some features, etc. Nevertheless, most of them are useless, besides, their installation may result in problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or even identity theft. If such app is installed on a browser and/or operating system, then it should be uninstalled as soon as possible. A couple of examples of other apps like FieldIndexer are OperativeDevice, SkilledOrigin and OptimalSync.
How did FieldIndexer install on my computer?
Users often download and/or install adware and other PUAs through download and/or installation setups of other programs. It is common that apps of this type are included in setups as additional offers and information about it can be found in their settings like "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual". Not all people check and change those settings when they download and install programs. By leaving them unchanged they allow for PUAs to be downloaded or installed alongside with wanted software. This distribution method of PUAs is called "bundling". It is worthwhile to mention that unwanted downloads and installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements too. Those ads cause it by running certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
All software should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Sources, tools like Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, third party downloaders (and installers), free file hosting pages, etc., should not be used neither to download or install files, or programs. It is common that they are used to distribute PUAs. Furthermore, download and installation setups should be always checked for "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings, offers to download and/or install unwanted software should be declined before completing downloads and installations. Advertisements that are displayed on shady websites should not be clicked as well - they can be designed to open untrustworthy websites or download, install unwanted, potentially malicious software. Unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed. Software of this kind that is installed on the operating system should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with FieldIndexer, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once FieldIndexer installation is over:
Delusive application installer promoting FieldIndexer adware:
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 FieldIndexer?
- STEP 1. Remove FieldIndexer related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove FieldIndexer ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove FieldIndexer adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove FieldIndexer ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
FieldIndexer adware removal:
Remove FieldIndexer-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 fieldindexer 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 FieldIndexer removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by fieldindexer 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 fieldindexer 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 fieldindexer 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!
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