ControlFraction Adware (Mac)

What is ControlFraction?

ControlFraction is dubious software classified as adware. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e. delivering various ads), however, this application also makes modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines - these capabilities are common to browser hijackers.

Since most users download/install ControlFraction unintentionally, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Typically, PUAs monitor browsing activity and it is likely that ControlFraction does so as well.

ControlFraction adware

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads, typically on any visited web page. The delivered ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they limit site visibility and browsing speed.

Once clicked, intrusive advertisements redirect to untrusted/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines.

The promoted search engines are seldom capable of providing search results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate sites. Additionally, browser hijackers can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers, if they allow access to the browser settings at all.

Therefore, recovering an affected browser is impossible without eliminating the software hijacking it. Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They 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 then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), likewise seeking to misuse it for profit. In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To ensure device and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:
Name	Ads by ControlFraction
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 (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

MacWebService, Consumer Opinion, TotalConsoleSearch and AnalyzerSkill are some examples of other apps in the adware classification. They may seem normal and harmless, and users are lured into download/installation and/or purchase with offers of a broad range of functionality, however, the advertised features rarely work.

This applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.

How did ControlFraction install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive ads proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install this software without users' consent. Certain PUAs have "official" promotional pages, from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and trustworthy sources, since dubious channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

Download and installation processes must be treated with caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline offers to download/install additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so on).

If you experience these ads and/or redirects, inspect your devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ControlFraction, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ControlFraction adware installation is complete:

Pop-up displayed once ControlFraction installation is complete

ControlFraction adware installation folder:

ControlFraction adware install folder

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

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

Video showing how to remove ControlFraction adware using Combo Cleaner:

ControlFraction adware removal:

Remove ControlFraction-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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.

DOWNLOAD remover for malware infections

Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1 Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2 Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3 Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4 Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

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:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

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".