How to remove InputBalance from a browser and computer?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove InputBalance from Mac?
What is InputBalance?
InputBalance functions as adware, browser hijacker and data collector - it serves advertisements, promotes a fake search engine (its address) and gathers sensitive information. It is common that users download and install apps like this one unknowingly. It is known that InputBalance is distributed by using a fake installer that is disguised to look like the installer for Adobe Flash Player.
Usually apps like InputBalance serve banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups and/or other types of advertisements. It is common that when users click ads that are served by adware, they allow those ads to open untrustworthy pages or even execute scripts that are designed to cause download and/or installation of unwanted software. Therefore, ads by InputBalance should not be clicked. Furthermore, this app is designed to promote a fake search engine by making its address as the address of a default search engine, homepage and/or new tab. It is worthwhile to mention that fake search engines do not generate any unique results or they generate results that may include links to unreliable, potentially malicious sites. Typically, users can undo the changes that were made in browser settings by apps like InputBalance only when those apps are no longer installed on a browser and/or the operating system. One more important detail about the InputBalance app is that it can read (access) information from websites, including passwords, telephone numbers, credit card details and some other sensitive information. Such information can be misused to steal accounts, identities, make fraudulent purchases, transactions, it can be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) and/or misused for other malicious purposes.
| Name | Ads by InputBalance |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.F), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Rising (Adware.Synataeb/OSX!1.CE41 (CLASSIC)), ZoneAlarm by Check Point (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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. |
InputBalance is very similar to TrustedUpdater, DeviceHelper, SectionBuffer and many other adware-type applications. To summarize, most of these apps are designed to serve ads, collect various data and/or hijack browsers by changing certain browser settings. Apps like InputBalance should not be trusted, even if they are advertised as useful, legitimate. If an app of this type is already installed, then it should be uninstalled as soon as possible.
How did InputBalance install on my computer?
It is known that InputBalance is distributed by disguising its installer as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. It is common that such installers are used to trick users into installing not on only PUAs, but also various malware (e.g., Trojan-type malware, ransomware). Also, quite often PUAs are distributed by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". It is used to trick users into downloading and/or installing potentially unwanted apps together with other software that they download, install intentionally. In such cases PUAs are included in download and/or installation setups as additional offers that can be declined via their "Custom", "Advanced" (or other) settings, or by unticking certain checkboxes. However, not all users check (and change) those settings and that is how they agree with offers to download and/or install PUAs. Sometimes unwanted downloads or installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements - there are ads that (if clicked) are designed to execute scripts designed to cause unwanted downloads or even installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to check download and installation setups for "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other similar settings and see if they mention offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Also, it is recommended to download files and programs only from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrents clients, eMule, unofficial pages, etc. Additionally, it is advised not to click ads that appear on questionable websites - quite often those ads are designed to open other shady sites or even download and/or install unwanted apps by executing certain scripts. If there are any unwanted, suspicious add-ons, plug-ins or extensions already installed on a browser, then they should be uninstalled as soon as possible. Software of this kind that is installed on the operating system should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with InputBalance, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once InputBalance installation is over:
Deceptive installer used for distribution of the InputBalance adware:
InputBalance installed on Safari:
InputBalance's Contents 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 InputBalance?
- STEP 1. Remove InputBalance related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove InputBalance ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove InputBalance adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove InputBalance ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove InputBalance adware using Combo Cleaner:
InputBalance adware removal:
Remove InputBalance-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 inputbalance 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 InputBalance removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by inputbalance 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 inputbalance 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 inputbalance 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!