How to uninstall TrustedAnalog adware from the operating system

What is TrustedAnalog?

TrustedAnalog is classified as adware because it serves advertisements. It also functions as a browser hijacker - it promotes a fake search engine by changing certain browser settings. People do not often download and install apps such as TrustedAnalog intentionally and, for this reason, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

To trick users into installing TrustedAnalog, developers use a fake/deceptive installer disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Generally, advertising-supported applications such as TrustedAnalog serve banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups, and other types of ads. These often conceal underlying content of visited websites and, if clicked, open dubious web pages. In some cases, they cause download/installation of unwanted apps by running certain scripts.

As mentioned, TrustedAnalog functions adware and as a browser hijacker. Therefore, it changes browser settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the URL of a fake search engine. In most cases, search engines promoted by these rogue apps do not generate any individual results - they display those generated by other search engines (e.g., Google, Yahoo). In some cases, they generate results that contain links to dubious web pages. In any case, these search engines should not be trusted or used.

Additionally, TrustedAnalog and similar apps collect information relating to users' browsing habits. For example, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, and other browsing data. Some of these apps also collect private, sensitive information as well. The developers sell the information to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or misuse it to generate revenue in other ways, which can cause problems relating to identity theft, browsing safety, and online privacy.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by TrustedAnalog
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACG), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), 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 adware-type apps on the internet. Some examples are HerculesLookup, NeedSearch and AnalyzerFile. Their main purpose is to serve advertisements, however, they also promote fake search engines and gather data.

Most are useless to regular users and are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

How did TrustedAnalog install on my computer?

TrustedAnalog is distributed through a fake a deceptive installer that is designed to appear like the installer for Adobe Flash Player. These installers can be used to trick people into installing ransomware, Trojans, and other malicious software.

Unwanted downloads and installations often occur when developers distribute PUAs by integrating them into the download/installation setups of other programs as "extra offers". This distribution method is known as "bundling". The offers can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the setups (or by unticking certain checkboxes).

Many users fail to check and change these settings (or untick the checkboxes), thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate together with the desired software. PUAs are also downloaded and installed by clicking deceptive advertisements (usually on untrusted sites) that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software. Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps.

Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with TrustedAnalog, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed when TrustedAnalog adware is installed:

Text presented in this pop-up:

"TrustedAnalogd" will damage your computer.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

 

OK

Show in Finder

Fake/deceptive installer used to distribute TrustedAnalog (first installation step): 

Fake/deceptive installer used to distribute TrustedAnalog (second installation step):

Files related to TrustedAnalog adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.TrustedAnalog.service.app
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.TrustedAnalog.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.TrustedAnalog.system
• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.TrustedAnalog.system.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like TrustedAnalog alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of dubious websites.

The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you must restore them manually.

Step 1: Click on the gear icon in the Dock to navigate to the system settings. If the icon is not present in the Dock, you can find it in the Launchpad.

Step 2: Navigate to the Network settings.

Step 3: Select the connected network and click "Advanced...".

Step 4: Click on the "Proxies" tab and untick all the protocols. You should also set the settings of each protocol to default - "*.local, 169.254/16".

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

Video showing how to remove TrustedAnalog adware using Combo Cleaner:

TrustedAnalog adware removal:

Remove TrustedAnalog-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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