How to uninstall the ActiveToken adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove ActiveToken from Mac?
What is ActiveToken?
ActiveToken is the name of the application that functions both as adware (generates advertisements) and a browser hijacker (changes browser settings without user's permission). It is likely that ActiveToken gathers certain information as well. It is worthwhile to mention that in most cases users download and install adware, browser hijackers unknowingly, for this reason ActiveToken is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).
Usually apps like ActiveToken generate ads that, if clicked, open questionable, potentially malicious websites. In some cases they cause unwanted downloads, or even installations by running certain scripts. Examples of ads adware-type apps generate are pop-up ads, coupons, banners, surveys. ActiveToken is designed not only to generate ads but also to promote a fake search engine by changing browser settings. In most cases apps like this one change the address of a default search engine, homepage and/or new tab and users cannot remove a certain address from the aforementioned settings unless they uninstall the app that changed them (in this case ActiveToken).
Another issue with apps like ActiveToken is that they can be and often are designed to collect browsing data like IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and/or other details. Sometimes they can read sensitive details as well. The biggest problem is that gathered information could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or monetized by developers in other ways. Therefore, users of apps like ActiveToken may encounter issues related to browsing safety, online privacy or even become victims of identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ActiveToken |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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. |
There are many examples of various adware, some of them are SkillApplication, ActivityConfig and ActivePower. To sum up, the main purpose of such apps is to generate advertisements. However, it is common that they promote fake search engines and/or gather various information as well. Either way, users should never have apps of this type installed on browsers and/or computers.
How did ActiveToken install on my computer?
Sometimes PUAs are distributed via deceptive advertisements by designing them to execute certain scripts, users download and/or install PUAs when they click those ads. Although, it is more common for PUAs to be distributed by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". In such cases PUAs are by included in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers. Users download and/or install PUAs when do not change "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings, or untick certain checkboxes - when they do not decline unwanted offers.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Applications should not be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders or installers. Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, shady websites, and other download sources should bot be used as well. It is advised to use only official websites and direct download links for it. Download and/or installation setups that have settings like "Custom", "Advanced" (or some checkboxes) should be always checked for unwanted offers. Advertisements that appear on questionable websites are not trustworthy - they could open other unreliable sites, or cause downloads, or even installations. Therefore, those ads should not be clicked. Unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons that are installed on a browser should be removed from it. The same should done with apps of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ActiveToken, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ActiveToken installation is over:
Screenshot of ActiveToken'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 ActiveToken?
- STEP 1. Remove ActiveToken related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ActiveToken ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ActiveToken adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ActiveToken ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ActiveToken adware using Combo Cleaner:
ActiveToken adware removal:
Remove ActiveToken-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 activetoken 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 ActiveToken removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by activetoken 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 activetoken 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 activetoken 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!
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