How to eliminate FocusGuide adware and the advertisements it displays?

What is FocusGuide?

FocusGuide is an adware-type app with browser hijacker qualities. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute such software products, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

FocusGuide adware overview

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can display pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and other intrusive ads. They diminish the browsing experience and endanger device/user safety.

These advertisements promote various untrustworthy, sale-based, rogue, scam, and even malicious sites. Furthermore, some intrusive adverts can infiltrate software (e.g., PUAs) into systems - upon being clicked.

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

Fraudulent search engines are typically unable to provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones. Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring techniques to stop users from restoring their browsers.

Most adware-types and browser hijackers can track data. Targeted information includes browsing activity, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, unwanted applications can cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by FocusGuide
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), GData (Archive.Application.Agent.IBQGKJ), 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

LatestStructured, WindowsMegabyte, LinkInfo, BoostSign, and CheckLetter are some examples of adware. This software appears innocuous and promises "handy" functionalities that seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

This applies to nearly all PUAs. The sole goal of unwanted apps is to generate revenue at user expense; they have no real value to users.

How did FocusGuide install on my computer?

PUAs are spread using the "bundling" marketing tactic - packing regular programs with various supplements. Rushed download/installation processes increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. PUAs may also have "official" promotional/download sites.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download 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.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate, yet they redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove FocusGuide adware using Combo Cleaner:

FocusGuide adware removal:

Remove FocusGuide-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 decrease system performance. Most adware-type apps also have data tracking abilities, which make them a privacy threat. Adware-delivered adverts can be deceptive/malicious and cause other serious issues.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., display various ads on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue mainly through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, apps, products, services, and similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove FocusGuide adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed adware-type applications. On the other hand, manual removal might not be thorough enough. In some cases, various remnants (files) remain hidden in the system even after the software itself is (manually) removed. Furthermore, such components can continue running and causing problems.

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