How to remove StandBoost adware

What is StandBoost?

StandBoost is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that serves advertisements and promotes a fake search engine. It may also collect browsing data and other information. Therefore, this application functions as adware and a browser hijacker.

It is classified as a PUA because most users download and install these rogue apps inadvertently.

Note that StandBoost is distributed by disguising its installer as the installer for the Adobe Flash Player.

Typically, users who have apps such as StandBoost installed on browsers or operating systems are forced to see advertisements while they are browsing the internet. Usually, adware-type apps serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other ads.

Ads served by StandBoost are used to promote various untrusted websites and, in some cases, to distribute unwanted software: once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download and install rogue software. In any case, it is not safe to click ads that appear because of installed adware.

StandBoost changes browser settings to promote a fake search engine. Usually, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by altering settings such as the address of the homepage, new tab, and default search engine. They ensure that users are forced to visit a specific address/use a fake search engine when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Fake search engines generate misleading results or display those generated by other search engines. Typically, users must uninstall the browser hijacker in order to remove fake search engine addresses from the browser settings.

Furthermore, StandBoost and similar apps gather data relating to web browsing activities. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened pages, entered search queries, and other details. Some can read sensitive information as well, including passwords, telephone numbers, and credit card details. Therefore, users could encounter problems such as monetary loss, loss of access to personal accounts, issues with online privacy, browsing safety, etc.

Remove StandBoost and other adware/browser hijackers from browsers/computers.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by StandBoost
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. ▼ 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.

More examples of apps that function like adware are OperativeUnit, SkilledPanelSearch, and AdvancedSprint. Typically, their purpose is to display advertisements, however, they often gather browsing-related and (other details) and promote fake search engines.

StandBoost simply generates revenue for the developers. These apps are classified as PUAs because users do not download or install them intentionally.

How did StandBoost install on my computer?

StandBoost is distributed through a deceptive installer that appears similar to the installer for Adobe Flash Player. These installers are used to distribute malware, such as ransomware andTrojan-type malware.

Browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and other types of PUAs are commonly distributed by integrating them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs, so that a proportion of users inadvertently download and install them together with their chosen software. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

Offers to download and install additionally-included apps usually appear in "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the set-ups (where they can usually be declined). Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default.

In addition, unwanted downloads and installations are sometimes caused by clicking deceptive advertisements capable of executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind.

Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

Regularly scan your computer with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software and keep this software up to date.

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

Text in the pop-up window that is likely to appear while StandBoost is installed:

"StandBoostd" will damage your computer.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

Screenshot of the fake installer used to distribute StandBoost (first installation step):

Screenshot of the fake installer used to distribute StandBoost (second installation step):

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

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

IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases, malicious applications like StandBoost 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 assign the settings of each protocol to the 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 StandBoost?
• STEP 1. Remove StandBoost related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove StandBoost ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove StandBoost adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove StandBoost ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove StandBoost adware using Combo Cleaner:

StandBoost adware removal:

Remove StandBoost-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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