How to remove the UltraWebFormat browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove UltraWebFormat browser hijacker from Mac?
What is UltraWebFormat?
UltraWebFormat is a piece of rogue software categorized as a browser hijacker. It operates by promoting (causing redirects to) the search.7ax6.com fake search engine - by making changes to browser settings. Additionally, UltraWebFormat adds the "Managed by your organization" feature to Google Chrome browsers. Typically, software within this category also has data tracking abilities, which are employed to spy on users' browsing habits. UltraWebFormat likely has such functionalities as well. Since most users download/install browser hijackers inadvertently, they are classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) as well.
Browser hijackers mainly target popular browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and so on. Following successful infiltration, this software assigns fake web searcher addresses as browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs. To elaborate on how these alterations affect browsing, with UltraWebFormat installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the search.7ax6.com search engine. Illegitimate web searchers are usually unable to provide search results, so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to legitimate search engines. This applies to search.7ax6.com as well; it redirects to the Google (google.com) search engine. Furthermore, browser hijackers can limit/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, restoring an affected browser is impossible without removing the software hijacking it.
What is more, most browser hijackers can track data. Targeted information includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, geolocations, personally identifiable and other vulnerable details. The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on browsers/systems - can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is strongly advised to immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.
| Name | UltraWebFormat redirect |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Promoted URL | search.7ax6.com |
| Serving IP Address (search.7ax6.com) | 99.84.174.76 |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady 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. |
Fire Search, Brilliant Check, OriginalSearchManager, and MovieFinder365 are a few examples of browsers hijackers. They typically appear legitimate and useful. However, their features rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all. This is true of practically all PUAs. The sole goal of unwanted software is to generate revenue at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can cause redirects, hijack browsers, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and gather private information.
How did UltraWebFormat install on my computer?
PUAs can be downloaded/installed alongside other software. This false marketing method of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g., skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.) - users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements are also used to proliferate PUAs. Upon being clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. PUAs may have "official" promotional/download webpages as well.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is highly recommended to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - often offer dangerous and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary and harmless; however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). Should users experience such ads and/or redirects, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
UltraWebFormat assigned fake search engine (search.7ax6.com) set as the default in a Google Chrome browser:
Appearance of search.7ax6.com redirecting to the Google search engine (GIF):
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 UltraWebFormat?
- STEP 1. Remove UltraWebFormat related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove UltraWebFormat redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove UltraWebFormat browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove UltraWebFormat homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove UltraWebFormat adware using Combo Cleaner:
UltraWebFormat redirect removal:
Remove UltraWebFormat 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 ultrawebformat redirect 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.
UltraWebFormat redirect homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ultrawebformat redirect 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.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the “Set to Current Page” button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labelled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ultrawebformat redirect 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.
Change your homepage:
To change your homepage, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage Page.
Change default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and click the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button.
In the "Search:" field, type the name of the browser hijacker. Right click on each of the found preferences and click "Reset" from the drop-down menu.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ultrawebformat redirect 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.
Change your homepage:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "On Startup" section, click the "Set pages" link near to the "Open a specific page or set of pages" option. Remove the URL of the browser hijacker (for example trovi.com) and enter your preferred URL (for example, google.com).
Change default search engine:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "Search" section, click the "Manage search engines..." button. In the opened window, remove the unwanted Internet search engine by clicking the "X" button next to it. Select your preferred Internet search engine from the list and click the "Make default" button next to it.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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