How to uninstall StartEssentials adware from your operating system?

What is StartEssentials?

StartEssentials is a rogue application classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker traits. Following successful infiltration, this app operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and promotes fake search engines (through modifications to browser settings).

Additionally, adware and browser hijackers usually have data tracking abilities, which are used to spy on browsing activity. Since most users download/install StartEssentials and similar software products inadvertently, they are categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

StartEssentials adware in detail

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. It can deliver pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, full-page, and other intrusive adverts. They severely diminish the browsing experience by limiting site visibility and browsing speed.

In addition to being a nuisance, intrusive ads also pose a threat to device/user safety. These advertisements promote various sale-bases, misleading, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious websites. Furthermore, some intrusive adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user consent.

Browser hijackers assign fake web searcher addresses as browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs. Therefore, every single search query typed into the URL bar and new tab/window opened - redirect to the address of the promoted search engine. Illegitimate web searchers usually cannot generate search results, so they tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine search engines.

Browser hijackers ensure persistence by restricting or denying access to the affected browser's settings. Alternatively, they can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers. Hence, it is impossible to restore a browser without removing the software hijacking it.

What is more, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, and personally identifiable details. The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by StartEssentials
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Fortinet (Adware/Adload!OSX), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Adware in general

DefaultUpgrade, LocalTech, FileDisplay, and SearchWebMesh are a few examples of apps within the adware classification. This software appears legitimate and useful. It offers a wide variety of features, which are seldom operational. In fact, this is true of practically all PUAs.

The only aim of unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers; therefore, functionality and user safety are irrelevant. PUAs operate by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijacking browsers, causing redirects, and collecting private information.

How did StartEssentials install on my computer?

PUAs are spread via downloaders/installers of other programs. "Bundling" is the term that defines this false marketing technique - packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions. By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using pre-set options, etc.) - users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices.

Intrusive adverts are also used to proliferate PUAs. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. PUAs may have "official" download pages as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is important to always research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Only official and verified download channels must be used. 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 - commonly offer bundled and/or harmful content.

Download and installation processes must be approached with caution. Therefore, it is advised to read terms, study all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and decline downloading/installing supplementary apps, tools, features, and so forth.

Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). Therefore, should users encounter ads and/or redirects of this kind, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with StartEssentials, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once StartEssentials adware's installation is over:

StartEssentials adware's installation folder:

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 StartEssentials?
• STEP 1. Remove StartEssentials related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove StartEssentials ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove StartEssentials adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove StartEssentials ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove StartEssentials adware using Combo Cleaner:

StartEssentials adware removal:

Remove StartEssentials-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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