How to remove StandardMethod adware from the operating system?

How to remove StandardMethod adware from Mac?

What is StandardMethod?

StandardMethod is a rogue application, categorized as adware. This app also has browser hijacker traits. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and making modifications to browser settings - in order to promote fake search engines. Additionally, adware and browser hijackers have data tracking abilities that are employed to collect browsing-related information. Due to the questionable techniques used to distribute StandardMethod, it is deemed to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. They seriously diminish the browsing quality, as they overlay page content and slow down the browsing speed. Once clicked on, intrusive ads redirect to various untrustworthy/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake web searchers as browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed: every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines are rarely able to generate search results, so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine ones. Furthermore, browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the browsers' settings. Hence, recovering an affected browser is impossible without removing the software hijacking it. As mentioned in the introduction, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers) can track data. They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This vulnerable data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, presence of unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by StandardMethod
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Sophos AV (AdLoad (PUA)), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.

IndexerInput, OperativeSync, LaunchSystem and UpdateAdmin are some examples of adware-type applications. This software usually looks legitimate and offers a wide variety of "handy" features. However, the promised functionalities are seldom operational. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. Unwanted apps have but one goal to generate profit for the developers; to users - they have no real value and may cause severe problems. PUAs are designed to deliver intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers and collect private data.

How did StandardMethod install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing technique of pre-packing ordinary programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g. ignored terms, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate PUAs into systems as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. Select PUAs have "official" promotional sites, from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to always research software products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Only official and verified download channels must be used. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - are considered to be untrustworthy, due to often offering deceptive and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, however they redirect to various unreliable and dubious webpages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with StandardMethod, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once StandardMethod adware's installation is over:

StandardMethod adware's installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove StandardMethod adware using Combo Cleaner:

StandardMethod adware removal:

Remove StandardMethod-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 standardmethod 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 StandardMethod removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by standardmethod 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 standardmethod 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 standardmethod 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.

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