How to remove ConsoleProgram adware and the ads it delivers?

How to remove ConsoleProgram adware from Mac?

What is ConsoleProgram?

ConsoleProgram is an untrustworthy app, which is classified as adware. Aside from running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e. delivering various ads), this application also operates like a browser hijacker. In other words, ConsoleProgram modifies browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. Due to the dubious techniques employed in this app's distribution, it is considered to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) as well. Most PUAs collect browsing-related information; it is highly likely that ConsoleProgram also has such data tracking abilities. ConsoleProgram has been observed being promoted by an installer of another PUA - called DLVPlayer.

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive advertisements. These ads seriously diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay webpage content and slow down the browsing speed. Furthermore, upon being clicked, intrusive adverts redirect to unreliable/malicious sites and some can even download/install software (e.g. PUAs) without user permission.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake web searchers. Hence, with such a piece of software installed: every new browser tab/window opened and web search done via the URL bar - redirect to the address of the promoted search engine. Illegitimate search engines are seldom able to provide search results, so they typically redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine ones. In addition, browser hijackers ensure persistence by restricting/denying access to the browser's settings and/or undoing any permitted changes made. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible - without removing the software affecting it.

PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) usually have data tracking abilities. They monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This 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, financial losses, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ConsoleProgram
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), Ikarus (Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), 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.

SkillApplication, ActivityConfig, ActivePower and OptimalUnit are some examples of other adware-type apps. They appear legitimate and offer various "useful" functionalities. However, the advertised features are rarely operational. This applies to nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers; hence, functionality and device/user safety are irrelevant. PUAs are designed to deliver intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and gather private information.

How did ConsoleProgram install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through download/installation setups of other programs. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. used "Easy/Express" settings, skipped steps, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to stealthily download/install these applications. Some PUAs also have "official" promotional sites, from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and trustworthy sources. Since dubious download channels, like: unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer harmful 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 advertisements appear ordinary, however they redirect to unreliable and questionable webpages (e.g. adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.). Should users encounter ads and/or redirects of this type, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/pug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with ConsoleProgram, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of the DLVPlayer installation setup, which also promotes ConsoleProgram adware:

Files related to the ConsoleProgram adware that need to be removed:

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

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

The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you'll have to 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 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 ConsoleProgram?
• STEP 1. Remove ConsoleProgram related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove ConsoleProgram ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove ConsoleProgram adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ConsoleProgram ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove ConsoleProgram adware using Combo Cleaner:

ConsoleProgram adware removal:

Remove ConsoleProgram-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 consoleprogram 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 ConsoleProgram removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by consoleprogram 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 consoleprogram 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 consoleprogram 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.

Click to post a comment