How to remove ExpandedValue adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ExpandedValue adware?
ExpandedValue displays annoying advertisements and hijacks web browsers (promotes a fake search engine). ExpandedValue may be designed to collect information about its users as well. Pretty often, adware is distributed using deceptive methods. ExpandedValue is distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.
ExpandedValue adware in detail
The majority of adware-type applications like ExpandedValue generate revenue for their developers by displaying pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, and other advertisements within a web browser. If clicked, those ads could open questionable websites. In some cases, those ads could download or even install unwanted software.
Ads generated by ExpandedValue may open sites similar to "Your MAC Has Been Blocked Due To Suspicious Activity!", "Your System Is Infected With 3 Viruses", "Receive iPhone 12", and other sites designed to extract personal information (like credit card details, telephone numbers, addresses) and (or) promote potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
In one way or another, it is not recommended to click on ads that apps like ExpandedValue generate. Furthermore, this app modifies browser settings. It hijacks a web browser by changing its settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab to an address of a fake search engine.
Fake search engines can show results generated by Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate search engines. Although, they can show misleading results and display ads as well. Either way, fake search engines should not be used. Instructions on how to remove fake search engines (their addresses) from settings can be found below.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, ExpandedValue might be designed to gather various data. Quite often, apps of this type collect entered search queries, visited websites, IP addresses, geolocations, and other details of this kind. Moreover, this app might be collecting sensitive information as well.
ExpandedValue may be targeting passwords, usernames (or other login credentials), credit card details, and other information that could be misused to steal online accounts, make unauthorized purchases, steal identities. It is worth mentioning that data collected by ExpandedValue could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals).
| Name | Ads by ExpandedValue |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.12), 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. |
ExpandedValue adware in general
ExpandedValue has qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. It displays ads and forces users to use a fake search engine. It is uncommon for apps of this type do be installed by users on purpose. Thus, they are called potentially unwanted applications. More adware examples are AlgorithmInput, SmartTechLookup, and ExtendedService.
How did ExpandedValue install on my computer?
It is known that ExpandedValue is distributed via a fake installer that is designed to look like the legitimate installer for Adobe Flash Player. It is important to know that fake, third-party installers can be malicious - they can be used to distribute malware (for example, ransomware).
Another popular way to distribute PUAs is to include them in downloaders and installers for other programs as extra offers. This distribution method is known as bundling. Users download or install PUAs together with other programs when they leave settings like "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" unchanged (or leave checkboxes ticked).
Usually, PUAs are distributed together with free programs. In other cases, they are distributed via deceptive advertisements. Users download or install PUAs when they click on ads designed to execute certain scripts. It is worth mentioning that it is unlikely for ads of this type to appear on legitimate pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Applications and files should be downloaded from official web pages and via direct links. It is not recommended to trust files or programs downloaded via Peer-to-Peer networks (like eMule, torrent clients), unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, etc. Those sources can be used to distribute unwanted and malicious software.
Downloaders and installers that have settings like "Advanced", "Manual, "Custom" should be checked for optional offers. Unwanted applications should be opted out before finishing downloads and installations. Advertisements displayed by (or on) unreliable pages should not be clicked as well.
It is common that by clicking the aforementioned ads users open shady pages or allow those ads to run certain scripts and cause unwanted downloads, installations. Unwanted, suspicious or unknown extensions, add-ons or plug-ins installed on a browser should be removed, software of this kind installed on the operating system should be removed too. If your computer is already infected with ExpandedValue, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Delusive application installer promoting ExpandedValue adware (first installation step):
Delusive application installer promoting ExpandedValue adware (second installation step):
Pop-up that appears while ExpandedValue is installed:
Text in this pop-up:
"ExpandedValued" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
Files related to the ExpandedValue adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ExpandedValue.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ExpandedValue.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ExpandedValue.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ExpandedValue.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like ExpandedValue 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 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 ExpandedValue?
- STEP 1. Remove ExpandedValue related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ExpandedValue ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ExpandedValue adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ExpandedValue ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ExpandedValue adware using Combo Cleaner:
ExpandedValue adware removal:
Remove ExpandedValue-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.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion