How to uninstall PracticalConfig adware from the operating system?

How to remove PracticalConfig adware from Mac?

What is PracticalConfig?

PracticalConfig is an adware-type application with browser hijacker qualities. Following successful installation, this app delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns and makes modifications to browser settings - in order to promote fake search engine. Additionally, most adware-types and browser hijackers collect information relating to browsing habits. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute PracticalConfig, it is considered to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

Adware enables the placement of various pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads - typically, on any visited website. The delivered adverts diminish the browsing quality, as they overlay page content and slow down the browsing speed. Furthermore, intrusive advertisements are more than just a nuisance, they are also deemed to be dangerous. Once clicked on, these ads redirect to untrustworthy/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of fake web searchers as browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Hence, with such a piece of software installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines are seldom able to provide search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine ones. Browser hijackers can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the browsers' settings outright. What is more, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking abilities. They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. To ensure device/user safety, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PracticalConfig
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Rising (Adware.Synataeb/OSX!1.CE41 (CLASSIC)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.F), 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.

ConsumerSurvey, RequestPlan, DeviceHelper and TotalProjectSearch are some examples of other apps within the adware category. They appear legitimate and offer a broad range of "handy" functionalities. However, the advertised features are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers; hence, functionality, user convenience and safety are irrelevant. PUAs are designed to run intrusive advert campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and gather private information.

How did PracticalConfig install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other programs. This false marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Select PUAs have "official" download webpages. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without user permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Since untrustworthy download channels, e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary and harmless, however they redirect to unreliable and dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.). In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with PracticalConfig, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

PracticalConfig adware installed onto the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove PracticalConfig adware using Combo Cleaner:

PracticalConfig adware removal:

Remove PracticalConfig-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 practicalconfig 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 PracticalConfig removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by practicalconfig 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 practicalconfig 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 practicalconfig 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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