How to eliminate OpticalTransaction adware from your operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is OpticalTransaction?
OpticalTransaction is a rogue application that we discovered while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. We installed this piece of software on our test system and learned that it operates as adware. Furthermore, OpticalTransaction belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
OpticalTransaction adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on visited sites and/or other interfaces. These ads promote online scams, unreliable/harmful websites and software, and even malware. Some intrusive adverts can even make stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products encountered via these advertisements are highly unlikely to be endorsed by their actual developers. Instead, this promotion is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Note that advertising-supported software might not deliver adverts if specific conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system or user geolocation, particular websites are not visited, etc.). However, even if OpticalTransaction does not run intrusive ad campaigns - its presence on a system threatens device/user safety.
Furthermore, OpticalTransaction may have browser-hijacking abilities since they are common for AdLoad adware; however, it did not display any during testing.
What is more, OpticalTransaction likely has data tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include: browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, and so on. The gathered information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like OpticalTransaction on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by OpticalTransaction |
| 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. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware-type apps; UniversalHandler, GeneralDisplay, and MinimalEnergy are merely a few examples.
Advertising-supported software typically looks legitimate and harmless. Users are lured into download/installation with various "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functionalities rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did OpticalTransaction install on my computer?
Adware is promoted on dubious download pages and scam websites. Users typically access these webpages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
Advertising-supported software is also proliferated via intrusive adverts. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Additionally, fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution.
Adware can be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs as well. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We advise researching software and downloading from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OpticalTransaction, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once OpticalTransaction adware's installation is over:
OpticalTransaction adware's installation 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
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Quick menu:
- What is OpticalTransaction?
- STEP 1. Remove OpticalTransaction related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove OpticalTransaction ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove OpticalTransaction adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove OpticalTransaction ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove OpticalTransaction adware using Combo Cleaner:
OpticalTransaction adware removal:
Remove OpticalTransaction-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 decrease browsing quality and system performance. It usually has data tracking functionalities, which make advertising-supported software a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-delivered advertisements endorse harmful content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to run intrusive ad campaigns. In other words, this software enables the placement of various advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, it may be capable of force-opening webpages and gathering private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue primarily through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, products, services, etc. The developers might earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove OpticalTransaction adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating all adware-type applications present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. Since despite the advertising-supported software having been (manually) removed - leftover components (files) may remain within the system. Furthermore, these remnants might continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to remove adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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