How to remove StandardVirtue adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is StandardVirtue?
While testing the StandardVirtue application, our team found that it shows intrusive advertisements. For this reason, we classified StandardVirtue as adware. Typically, adware is distributed using deceptive methods. Our team discovered StandardVirtue after downloading a fake installer from an untrustworthy website.
More about StandardVirtue
StandardVirtue displays annoying pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other advertising material. Those ads can open shady websites offering to download questionable apps, asking to provide personal information, urging to call fake technical support numbers, etc. Also, ads shown by StandardVirtue can be designed to download and install unwanted software.
Our team examined many advertising-supported apps similar to StandardVirtue and found that some of them can read sensitive information. They can read credit card details, passwords, browsing data, and other information. Such apps can cause problems like stolen online accounts, identity, monetary loss, and other issues.
| Name | Ads by StandardVirtue |
| 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. |
More about adware
In addition to displaying ads (and collecting data), software of this type can be capable of hijacking a web browser. It can modify the settings of a web browser to force users to browse the Internet using a fake search engine. Pretty often, browser hijackers must be uninstalled so that the affected settings can be reverted/changed.
More adware examples are LinkRoot, UnitDisplay, and ClutchTrend.
How did StandardVirtue install on my computer?
A big part of adware similar to StandardVirtue is distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player installers that are supposed to install updates. These installers are promoted on deceptive pages suggesting that the installed version of Adobe Flash Player is outdated.
Also, users install adware via deceptive advertisements and software bundles. When software is bundled with adware, it has "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings in its installer. Adware gets installed after finishing installations without changing those settings.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not download applications from questionable sources (e.g., unofficial websites, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, third-party stores). Use official pages and stores for downloading them. It is also recommended not to trust advertisements appearing on torrent sites, adult pages, and other dubious pages (or agree to receive notifications from pages of this kind).
Always deselect unwanted applications included in installers by changing the provided settings (or unticking checkboxes) before downloading and installing software. If your computer is already infected with StandardVirtue, 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 StandardVirtue adware:
StandardVirtue'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
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 StandardVirtue?
- STEP 1. Remove StandardVirtue related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove StandardVirtue ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove StandardVirtue adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove StandardVirtue ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove StandardVirtue adware using Combo Cleaner:
StandardVirtue adware removal:
Remove StandardVirtue-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?
Software of this type usually diminishes the web browsing experience by showing annoying/intrusive ads and slows down a computer. Additionally, it can cause problems related to online privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware displays various advertisements. Sometimes, it can function as a browser hijacker by changing the settings of a web browser. Also, it can gather information about users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
They promote various products, websites, services, etc. Typically, they monetize adware by earning commissions via affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove StandardVirtue adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove StandardVirtue and other installed adware. It will remove all of the components belonging to adware. It is worth mentioning that it can be difficult to remove adware manually without leaving anything in the system.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion