How to remove AboutDynamic adware and the advertisements delivered by it?

What is AboutDynamic?

AboutDynamic is an adware-type application with browser hijacker qualities. It operates by running intrusive ad campaigns and modifying browsers to promote fake search engines. Furthermore, apps of this type are classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) due to being distributed using dubious methods.

AboutDynamic adware in detail

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive ads on any visited website and/or different interfaces. In addition to seriously diminishing the browsing experience, this software endangers device and user safety.

The delivered adverts promote various untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, and malicious websites. What is more, some intrusive advertisements can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user consent - once they are clicked on.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. Additionally, browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring tactics to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

What is more, most PUAs (AboutDynamic included) have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes: browsing activity, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information is monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

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

UpgradeSearchView, ElementSignal, and MapperTrack are a few examples of adware. This software appears legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities, which rarely work. Nearly all PUAs promise fake features and have harmful abilities instead. The sole goal of these applications is to generate revenue for the developers.

How did AboutDynamic install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed by using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing the bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs also have "official" download webpages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software and download only from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions and supplements. Intrusive ads appear harmless, yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

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

AboutDynamic adware's installation folder:

AboutDynamic adware installed onto a Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove AboutDynamic adware using Combo Cleaner:

AboutDynamic adware removal:

Remove AboutDynamic-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 diminish the browsing experience and system performance. AboutDynamic, like most adware-type apps, tracks data - which also makes it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-delivered ads typically endorse deceptive and malicious content that can lead to various severe issues.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to feed users with various advertisements.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by promoting content; most of the profit comes from affiliate programs. Commission can be earned through advertisement clicks, website visits, file downloads, products purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove AboutDynamic adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate adware-type applications. On the other hand, manual removal is not ideal in all cases. Sometimes, although the software is removed - various file leftovers remain. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue running and causing problems.

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