How to remove the FreshBasic adware?

What is FreshBasic adware?

FreshBasic is a type of software that bombards users with advertisements. Aside from displaying advertisements, this adware can also change a web browser's settings (it hijacks a browser). Most users download and install apps like FreshBasic unintentionally. Thus, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

FreshBasic adware in detail

FreshBasic generates advertisements (pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, or other ads) that could open deceptive pages. Those ads could open pages using scare tactics to trick visitors into downloading PUAs, providing credit card details (or other personal information), paying money for unnecessary software, services, and so on.

Also, FreshBasic changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL to a fake search engine. It forces users to browse the Internet with a search engine that could display results containing links to untrustworthy websites. Search engines promoted through apps like FreshBasic are not trustworthy.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by FreshBasic
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.F), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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.

FreshBasic adware in general

FreshBasic has the qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. It could be designed to collect IP addresses, visited pages, and other browsing data, or even sensitive information. There are lots of apps like FreshBasic on the Internet. Some examples are SampleSkilled, ConsoleConnection, and ExecutiveProduct.

How did FreshBasic install on my computer?

Adware and other potentially unwanted applications are often downloaded or installed through downloaders or installers for other programs that have "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced" or similar settings. PUAs get permission to be downloaded or installed when users do not deselect them using the aforementioned settings.

In other cases, PUAs get downloaded or installed through fake installers (for example, a fake Adobe Flash Player installer) or deceptive advertisements designed to run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Applications included in downloaders and installers for other programs should be deselected before downloading or installing programs. Files and programs should be downloaded only from official pages and via direct links. Sources like Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial sites, third-party downloaders (and installers) should not be used.

Advertisements displayed on questionable websites should not be clicked as well. If your computer is already infected with FreshBasic, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up that appears after installation of FreshBasic adware:

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

Video showing how to remove FreshBasic adware using Combo Cleaner:

FreshBasic adware removal:

Remove FreshBasic-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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Advertising-supported software can diminish web browsing experience (for example, cover website's content) and have a negative impact on the computer's performance.

What does adware do?

The purpose of adware is to bombard users with annoying advertisements. Software of this type can also be designed to collect information and hijack browsers.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

As a rule, adware developers generate revenue by promoting various products, services, websites. Most of the profit is generated via affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove FreshBasic adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and get rid of FreshBasic and other unwanted applications. It is not always possible to manually remove unwanted software because various file leftovers remain present in the system even if the software itself is deleted.

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