How to eliminate the ProjectSource adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is ProjectSource?
ProjectSource is the name of an adware-type and browser-hijacking app that we have discovered while auditing various shady websites. After analyzing ProjectSource, we learned that the purpose of this app is to generate annoying advertisements and promote a fake search engine.
ProjectSource adware in detail
After installation, ProjectSource started to display pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive advertisements. By clicking on those ads, we ended up on questionable/potentially malicious websites. Most of those pages were various scams, download sites for shady applications.
Another we noticed while examining ProjectSource is that this app changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It replaces them with a fake search engine. The problem with most fake search engines is that they promote shady websites (generate misleading results or show results generated by dubious search engines).
| Name | Ads by ProjectSource |
| 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.j), 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. |
More about adware
One more problem with numerous adware-type apps that we already analyzed is that they can access sensitive information, or at least browsing-related information. It is pretty common that adware developers misuse collected data for malicious purposes. More adware examples are InitiatorIntegrate, NetworkStructured, PreviewInteractive.
How did ProjectSource install on my computer?
Adware is distributed via fake installers disguised as installers for legitimate software, deceptive ads, software bundles. Fake installers usually are promoted on deceptive pages. Software bundled with adware has settings in its installer (or a downloader) that can be used to deselect unwanted installations (or downloads).
Users download or install adware alongside other software when they do not change "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings before downloading or installing that software.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from legitimate sources such as official pages or platforms, and use direct download links. Avoid using shady pages, third-party downloaders, and similar sources. Do not click on advertisements that questionable pages have on them and deselect unwanted downloads and installations/unwanted apps before downloading or installing software.
If your computer is already infected with ProjectSource, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A pop-upt that appears after the installation of ProjectSource adware:
ProjectSource'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 ProjectSource?
- STEP 1. Remove ProjectSource related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ProjectSource ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ProjectSource adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ProjectSource ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ProjectSource adware using Combo Cleaner:
ProjectSource adware removal:
Remove ProjectSource-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 projectsource 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 ProjectSource removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by projectsource 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 projectsource 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 projectsource 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 be the reason behind diminished web browsing experience, decrease in computer performance, invaded privacy, and other issues.
What does adware do?
Adware displays intrusive advertisements. In some cases, it also changes the web browser's settings and (or) collects information about users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
As a rule, adware is monetized by promoting various products, websites, services. Adware developers use mainly affiliate programs to generate revenue.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ProjectSource adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and get rid of adware. It will completely remove it from the system without leaving any of its components. It is worth mentioning that manual removal does not always work because files belonging to adware may remain in the system even when the adware itself is no longer present.
Outstanding!
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