How to remove the WideCluster adware?

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.

Threat Summary:

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. ▼ 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.

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 computer 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 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 ads by widecluster 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.

Ads by WideCluster removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by widecluster related Safari extensions:

Open 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 normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove ads by widecluster related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".

Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Remove ads by widecluster related Google Chrome add-ons:

Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".

In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

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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