How to remove the ElementaryUnit adware from macOS

What is ElementaryUnit?

ElementaryUnit is classified as adware and thus serves advertisements. In fact, it also functions as a browser hijacker and promotes d2sri.com (the address of a fake search engine) by changing certain Safari browser settings. Additionally, ElementaryUnit can read sensitive information from browsers that have this rogue software installed on them.

In most cases, users download and install adware unintentionally and, for this reason, ElementaryUnit and other apps of this type are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular app is distributed via a fake installer that is disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Commonly, adware serves advertisements that, if clicked, open dubious websites. In some cases, they cause download or even installation of unwanted applications by executing certain scripts. Some examples ads deployed by adware include banners, coupons, surveys, and pop-up.

Furthermore, ElementaryUnit changes certain browser settings to d2sri.com, the address of a fake search engine. Generally, apps that promote fake search engines change browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

Note that d2sri.com is a fake search engine because it provides results generated by Yahoo - it simply redirects users to search.yahoo.com. ElementaryUnit can also read sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers, and other personal details.

This information can be misused to steal identities and personal accounts, and to make fraudulent purchases/transactions, and for other malicious purposes. Therefore, ElementaryUnit should never be installed.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ElementaryUnit
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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.

There are many other apps that function in a similar manner to ElementaryUnit. For example, ProductiveRotator, ExpandedCommand and ChangeParameter. They generate revenue for developers by collecting information, serving advertisements and promoting fake search engines.

Commonly, these apps are advertised as useful and legitimate, however, they are useless to regular users and can cause problems such as identity theft, monetary loss, issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, etc.

How did ElementaryUnit install on my computer?

ElementaryUnit can be installed via fake installers, which supposedly install Adobe Flash Player. Note that, in some cases, fake installers can install malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojans). PUAs are also spread by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'.

This distribution method is known as "bundling". It works when users download/install programs that have PUAs integrated into the set-ups, and they fail to change settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and others. Additionally, PUAs are downloaded and installed when users click deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind. Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software.

Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ElementaryUnit, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

d2sri.com redirects to search.yahoo.com via chunckapp.com (GIF):

Pop-up window displayed once ElementaryUnit installation is complete:

Fake installer used to distribute ElementaryUnit:

ElementaryUnit installed on Safari:

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

Video showing how to remove ElementaryUnit adware using Combo Cleaner:

ElementaryUnit adware removal:

Remove ElementaryUnit-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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