How to remove the WideCluster adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is WideCluster?
WideCluster is the name of an adware-type application with the qualities of a browser hijacker. It can show advertisements and change web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine. Typically, apps like WideCluster are promoted/distributed using questionable methods to trick users into downloading and installing them.
WideCluster adware in detail
WideCluster can show advertisements designed to promote various scams, dubious websites, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), and so on. Moreover, those ads can be designed to download or install PUAs by running certain scripts.
Web browser's settings that WideCluster changes are the default search engine, homepage and new tab page. It changes them to a fake search engine. That search engine could redirect to potentially malicious sites and (or) show results generated by dubious search engines.
| Name | Ads by WideCluster |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24898), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Fortinet (Adware/Synataeb!OSX), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
WideCluster adware in general
WideCluster is an untrustworthy application that can display unwanted ads and force users to browse the Internet with a fake search engine. It is similar to CompactFilter, MultiSet, AdvancedServices, and lots of other apps. Users rarely install such apps intentionally.
How did WideCluster install on my computer?
It is common for adware to be bundled with other software. In such cases, adware is mentioned and can be deselected in "Manual", "Custom", or other settings that downloaders and installers have. When users download or install software without making changes in those settings, they also agree to download or install adware.
Ads and fake installers can cause unwanted installations too. Those ads usually appear on shady websites. They are designed to run certain scripts. Fake installers are promoted on deceptive pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Applications (and files) should be downloaded from official, legitimate pages. Downloads from Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, etc., might install unwanted apps. Downloaders and installers with any settings should be checked for optional downloads or installations. Advertisements showing up on shady web pages should not be clicked as well.
If your computer is already infected with WideCluster, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after the installation of WideCluster adware:
WideCluster'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:
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Quick menu:
- What is WideCluster?
- STEP 1. Remove WideCluster related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove WideCluster ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove WideCluster adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove WideCluster ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove WideCluster adware using Combo Cleaner:
WideCluster adware removal:
Remove WideCluster-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 slow down a computer, diminish the web browsing experience. If designed to collect personal information, it can be the culprit of identity theft, monetary loss, and other issues.
What does adware do?
The main purpose of adware is to display annoying advertisements (promote shady websites). Also, software of this type can be designed to gather information and hijack a web browser.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware is monetized by using it as a tool to promote web pages, services, products. Usually, the main source of income comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove WideCluster adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate WideCluster. It may not be enough to remove adware manually because some of its components may remain in the system even after the removal.
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