How to remove the OriginalModule unwanted application?

How to remove OriginalModule from Mac?

What is OriginalModule?

OriginalModule is not the app that users would download and install intentionally. It is because its installer is disguised as the Adobe Flash Player installer. Therefore, OriginalModule is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA). This app is designed to modify browser's settings (promote the address of a fake search engine), generate advertisements, and collect browsing-related and possibly sensitive information. In other words, the OriginalModule app functions as adware and a browser hijacker.

Typically, adware generates revenue for its developer by displaying various pop-up ads, coupons, banners, surveys, or other ads. It is not safe to click on ads that apps like OriginalModule generate: their ads can be designed to open dubious web pages or even download, install unwanted software. Also, the OriginalModule app functions as a browser hijacker: it changes browser settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab to an address of a fake search engine. Usually, fake search engines show results generated by other, legitimate search engines (like Google, Bing, Yahoo). However, they can show results that would contain addresses of shady, even malicious sites. In most cases, users who have their browsers hijacked by apps like OriginalModule can remove the address of a fake search engine from browser's settings only when the app is no longer installed.

One more reason not to have applications like OriginalModule installed is that they can be designed to function as data collectors. It is common that they gather browsing data like entered search queries, Internet Protocol addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited pages, and so on. Although, such apps can be designed to collect credit card details, passwords, or other sensitive information as well. Their developers could use the obtained information to generate revenue. For instance, they could sell that information to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), misuse it to steal online accounts, identities, or other malicious purposes.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OriginalModule
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (Deceptive Installer)	Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-DY [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EJD), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EJD (B)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.ay), Full List (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (OriginalModule.service)	Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ADU), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), Full List (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (OriginalModule.system)	Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ADV), 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 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.

To summarize, apps like OriginalModule are completely useless to their users and can cause them various issues. Moreover, it is common that computers and browsers that have adware installed on them run slower. Either way, adware is not the kind of software that is trustworthy. Users who have it installed are strongly advised to remove it as soon as possible. More adware examples are UpdaterSync, ProcessBrand, and CacheImprovment.

How did OriginalModule install on my computer?

OriginalModule is distributed using a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. It is important to know that fake, third party installers can be malicious: they can be designed to install ransomware, Trojan-type malware, or other malicious software. Also, it is common that various potentially unwanted apps are bundled together with other programs. In such cases, users download or install PUAs when they do not check and change settings (e.g., "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual") or untick certain checkboxes before finishing downloads or installations of programs that contain those PUAs. In some cases, users unintentionally download or install unwanted software by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Users are advised not to download any software via unreliable sources like torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, questionable websites, etc., or finish downloads and installations without checking setups for "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings. Apps and files should be downloaded only from legitimate, official pages and via direct link. Downloads and installations should be finished only after declining unwanted offers. Additionally, it is recommended not to click ads that appear on questionable sites (e.g., on pages related to adult dating, gambling, pornography). It is common that those ads are used to promote shady websites. Sometimes they are used to distribute unwanted software. Any unwanted applications that are already installed on a browser or the operating system should be uninstalled. If your computer is already infected with OriginalModule, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Screenshot of the deceptive installer used to distribute OriginalModule adware (first installation step):

Screenshot of the deceptive installer used to distribute OriginalModule adware (second installation step):

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

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

IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious OriginalModule like OriginalModule 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 OriginalModule?
• STEP 1. Remove OriginalModule related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove OriginalModule ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove OriginalModule adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove OriginalModule ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove OriginalModule adware using Combo Cleaner:

OriginalModule adware removal:

Remove OriginalModule-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 originalmodule 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 OriginalModule removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by originalmodule 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 originalmodule 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 originalmodule 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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