How to eliminate the FocusDeploy adware from your operating system?

What is FocusDeploy?

FocusDeploy is a piece of rogue software classified as adware. It has browser hijacker abilities as well. Since most users download/install such apps inadvertently, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

FocusDeploy adware in detail

Adware displays various banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements. They are more than just a nuisance, as they also endanger device and user safety. The delivered ads endorse sale-oriented, unreliable, misleading, rogue, deceptive/scam, and even malicious sites. Furthermore, some intrusive ads can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) stealthily - when they are clicked on.

Browser hijackers assign fake search engine addresses as browser's default, as well as homepage and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate ones. Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring techniques - to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. Targeted information includes (but is not limited to): browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, and personally identifiable details. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of unwanted applications on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by FocusDeploy
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24127), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Fortinet (Adware/Synataeb!OSX), 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

BeyondLaunch, BufferRecord, OperationValue, AboutExtended, and ModuleService are some examples of adware-type apps. They appear legitimate and offer "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, the functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

This applies to nearly all PUAs. The sole goal of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Hence, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, force-open sites, and collect private data.

How did FocusDeploy install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated using the "bundling" tactic - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Rushed download/installation processes increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements distribute these applications as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make download/installations without user consent. Some PUAs also have "official" promotional/download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is important to always research software and download it from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled content.

Download/Installation processes must be approached with caution; that entails - reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out from all additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, yet they redirect to unreliable and dubious sites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with FocusDeploy, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove FocusDeploy adware using Combo Cleaner:

FocusDeploy adware removal:

Remove FocusDeploy-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?

Adware can decrease system performance and diminish browsing quality. Additionally, this software typically has data tracking abilities, which makes it a threat to user privacy. What is more, adware-delivered adverts often promote dubious and malicious content (e.g., websites, apps, services, etc.) that can cause other serious issues.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software or adware - is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, apps within this classification display various ads on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by promoting various websites, applications, services, and similar content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove FocusDeploy adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type applications. However, manual removal may not be ideal. In some cases, even after the adware is removed - various file leftovers remain hiding within the system. Furthermore, the remnants can continue running and causing issues.

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