How to eliminate the ColossusAspect adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is ColossusAspect?
Our team has discovered the ColossusAspect application while visiting shady websites that displayed deceptive pop-ups. After analyzing the app, we found that it generates advertisements and can read sensitive information from visited websites. Thus, we concluded that ColossusAspect is adware.
ColossusAspect adware in detail
Since ColossusAspect operates as adware, it displays annoying banners, coupons, pop-ups, or other forms of ads. We have tested numerous similar apps and learned that most generate ads that promote various scams, shady apps, websites. In some cases, those ads download or even install unwanted apps.
Additionally, ColossusAspect can read credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers, and other sensitive information and collect browsing data. It is not safe to have adware like ColossusAspect installed on a browser or the operating system. Data gathered by it can be misused for malicious purposes.
| Name | Ads by ColossusAspect |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.25873), 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. |
More about adware
Pretty often, adware can operate as a browser hijacker. It can promote a fake search engine by changing the web browser's settings. Usually, browser-hijacking apps do not allow to undo their changes while they are present. More adware examples are ComputingInteractive, SmartProducts, HorizonLiving.
How did ColossusAspect install on my computer?
Usually, adware gets downloaded and installed unintentionally. It is caused by clicking deceptive advertisements, using fake installers. Also, adware often is distributed using downloaders and installers for other software. Advertisements can download or install adware when designed to run certain scripts.
Downloaders/installers used to distribute adware have "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings (or ticked checkboxes). Unwanted downloads/installations are caused after downloading or installing software without changing the aforementioned settings (deselecting unwanted apps).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications (and files) from legitimate sources (official pages, platforms). Do not trust downloads from third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, P2P networks, and similar sources. Also, do not click on advertisements displayed by questionable pages or allow those pages to show notifications.
Examine downloaders and installers before finishing download and installations. Check them for unwanted applications and deselect those apps. If your computer is already infected with ColossusAspect, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A pop-up that appears after the installation of ColossusAspect:
ColossusAspect installed on Safari:
ColossusAspect'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 ColossusAspect?
- STEP 1. Remove ColossusAspect related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ColossusAspect ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ColossusAspect adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ColossusAspect ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ColossusAspect adware using Combo Cleaner:
ColossusAspect adware removal:
Remove ColossusAspect-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?
It can invade privacy, slow down a computer, diminish web browsing experience, cause unwanted redirects, and (or) similar issues.
What does adware do?
Usually, adware generates advertisements. Additionally, it may change the web browser's settings (to promote a fake search engine) and gather information about its users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of them participate in various affiliate programs and use adware to promote websites, services, products, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ColossusAspect adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove adware without leaving any of its components in the operating system/web browser (which can be difficult to achieve manually).
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion