Removal instructions for ActivityCache adware and the ads it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ActivityCache?
While investigating new submissions to VirusTotal, our research team discovered the ActivityCache app. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it operates as adware. Additionally, we learned that this application is part of the AdLoad malware family.
ActivityCache adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These ads endorse various scams, unreliable/harmful software, and even malware. Some intrusive adverts can are capable of performing stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It is noteworthy that any legitimate products or services encountered through these adverts are most likely promoted by scammers who abuse their affiliate programs to acquire fraudulent commissions for the endorsement.
Adware might not run intrusive ad campaigns if the browser/system is incompatible, specific websites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. However, even if ActivityCache does not display advertisements – its presence on a system endangers device and user safety.
It is pertinent to mention that AdLoad apps often have browser hijacker abilities, although this rogue application did not exhibit any during our analysis.
Furthermore, ActivityCache likely collects sensitive information. Targeted data may include: browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, log-in credentials, credit card numbers, and so on. The gathered information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
To summarize, the presence of software like ActivityCache on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ActivityCache |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (ActivityCache.system) |
Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.25), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adlo), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Agent.u), 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), 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
RadianceChecked, AssistiveBalance, and AdvancedBrowser are merely a few examples of adware-type apps we have inspected recently.
Advertising-supported software typically appears legitimate and offers various functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Keep in mind that operational functionalities are not proof of an application's legitimacy or safety.
How did ActivityCache install on my computer?
"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is used to distribute adware. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.
Additionally, advertising-supported software can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed via scam sites. Most users enter such pages through redirects caused by intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, sites that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Intrusive advertisements are used in adware proliferation as well. Once clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/trustworthy sources. Furthermore, when installing, it is important to read terms, inspect available options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.
We advise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads/redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ActivityCache, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed when ActivityCache adware is present on the system:
Text presented in this pop-up:
"ActivityCached" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
Files related to the ActivityCache adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.ActivityCache/ActivityCache
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.ActivityCacheDaemon/ActivityCache
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ActivityCache.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ActivityCacheDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps can create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar (Dock) and select "Profiles".
2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware.
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 ActivityCache?
- STEP 1. Remove ActivityCache related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ActivityCache ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ActivityCache adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ActivityCache ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ActivityCache adware using Combo Cleaner:
ActivityCache adware removal:
Remove ActivityCache-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?
The presence of adware on a device can result in decreased browsing quality and system performance. This software displays advertisements that promote deceptive/malicious content capable of causing severe issues, such as system infections, financial losses, etc. Adware is also considered to be a privacy threat since it usually has data-tracking abilities.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display ads on various interfaces. Additionally, some types can force-open sites and gather private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit is generated through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, applications, products, services, etc. Adware developers might earn commissions from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ActivityCache adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating all the adware-type apps present. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. In some instances, even after the adware has been manually removed – various files remain hidden within the system. Furthermore, these remnants may continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.
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