How to remove OnlineTab adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is OnlineTab?
OnlineTab displays unwanted advertisements and changes the web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine. This app functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Typically, apps like OnlineTab are promoted/distributed using questionable (deceptive) methods. Thus, users download/install them inadvertently.
More details about OnlineTab
OnlineTab shows ads that can open websites asking to provide sensitive information, encouraging to download and install potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), and other shady pages. Also, clicking on those advertisements can lead to unwanted downloads or installations.
The settings that OnlineTab changes to promote a fake search engine are the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. A fake search engine promoted by OnlineTab can generate misleading results/promote questionable pages, or show results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
| Name | Ads by OnlineTab |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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. |
OnlineTab in general
Neither advertisements generated nor a fake search engine promoted by OnlineTab can be trusted. It is important to mention that this app can be capable of collecting various information about its users. OnlineTab is similar to PlusMethod, ExploreService, ProductionElements, and plenty of other apps.
How did OnlineTab install on my computer?
A big part of adware-type apps gets downloaded or installed alongside other programs. It happens when users do not change "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" or other settings (or untick checkboxes) before downloading or installing programs bundled with adware.
Also, unwanted downloads or installations can be caused by clicking ads designed to execute certain scripts or through fake installers downloaded from deceptive web pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from official websites and via direct links. Avoid using other sources for downloading them. Also, do not download or install programs without checking their downloaders or installers for "Advanced", "Manual, "Custom" or other settings, or ticked checkboxes. Those settings could be used to deselect unwanted apps.
Do not click on advertisements appearing on suspicious websites as well. If your computer is already infected with OnlineTab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after the installation of OnlineTab adware:
OnlineTab'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:
▼ 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 OnlineTab?
- STEP 1. Remove OnlineTab related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove OnlineTab ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove OnlineTab adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove OnlineTab ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove OnlineTab adware using Combo Cleaner:
OnlineTab adware removal:
Remove OnlineTab-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-type applications can conceal the contents of visited pages and diminish the web browsing experience in other ways, and slow down a computer.
What does adware do?
The main purpose of software of this type is to generate advertisements. Additionally, it can be designed to collect various data and (or) promote fake search engines.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of them monetize adware by promoting various websites, services, products. Most of the money comes from various affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove OnlineTab adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove OnlineTab and other adware. It is advisable to remove adware with specialized software/avoid removing it manually. Manual removal does not always work because files belonging to adware remain in the system even when it is no longer installed.
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