How to remove Ribbon.app adware from your Mac

What kind of application is Ribbon.app?

Our researchers discovered Ribbon.app while inspecting new file submissions to the VirusTotal website. After investigating this application, we learned that it is advertising-supported software from the Pirrit adware family. Ribbon.app is designed to generate revenue for its developers/publishers through advertising.

Ribbon.app adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Typically, it operates by enabling the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., overlays, banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys, etc.) on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces.

Specific conditions may be necessary for this software to function as intended, such as a compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, and so on. However, even if Ribbon.app does not display advertisements – its presence threatens device and user safety.

Ads from adware can promote online scams, untrustworthy/hazardous software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

Keep in mind that any genuine content encountered via these advertisements is most likely endorsed by scammers who abuse affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Adware-type apps commonly possess browser-hijacking capabilities – however, we did not observe these qualities during our analysis of Ribbon.app.

Advertising-supported software usually collects sensitive information, and this might apply to Ribbon.app. Targeted data can include browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The gathered data can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Ribbon.app on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Adware examples

We have written about countless adware-type applications; Unsceptical.app, Chunago.app, and Bezant.app are merely a couple of our latest articles. Software within this classification appears legitimate and harmless. It can offer a wide variety of "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

Remember that even if an app or a browser extension operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Ribbon.app install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled with ordinary programs. The risk of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by inattentiveness when installing (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software directly as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations.

Additionally, this software can have "official" promotional pages, and it is endorsed on scam websites. They are primarily accessed through redirects produced by sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy channels. Installation processes must be approached with care by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and operating out of all supplementary apps, tools, extensions, etc.

We advised vigilance when browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless – yet redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

Should you keep encountering adverts/redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Ribbon.app, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

When removing Ribbon.app, it is important to check these folders for its components (the filenames may differ in each folder, yet every single one should contain "Ribbon.app"):

• ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• /Library/LaunchDaemons
• /Library/LaunchAgents
• /Library/StartupItems

Pop-up window displayed when Ribbon.app adware is present on the system:

Text presented in this pop-up:

"Ribbon.app" will damage your computer.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

Ok
Show in Finder

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is Ribbon.app?
• STEP 1. Remove Ribbon.app related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove Ribbon.app ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove Ribbon.app adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Ribbon.app ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Ribbon.app adware removal:

Remove Ribbon.app-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?

Serious threats are posed by the content promoted via adware-displayed advertisements, including system infections, privacy issues, and financial losses. The presence of this software on a device can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Adware usually has data-tracking functionalities – hence, it is considered a privacy threat.

What does adware do?

Adware operates by displaying ads on various interfaces. This software may also be capable of generating redirects and gathering private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue through content promotion (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.). The majority of the profit comes from affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Ribbon.app adware?

Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective. In some cases, after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various file remnants stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, these components might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.