How To Remove DeskActivity From Mac

Simple Guide To Terminate Advertising App

DeskActivity is a redirect virus that has been specially crafted to assault Mac computers. When this unwanted application sneaks into the Mac, it begins to make alterations to default browser’s settings and also injects various ad-generation components on the affected browser. Afterward, you will have to search through a different search engine and will also have a different homepage and new tab URL. The main objective of this hijacker is to redirect users’ web searches to affiliated sites and create pay-per-click and pay-per-view income for the developers. All the browser changes and toolbars injections are done to achieve this goal.

Threat Summary

Name: DeskActivity

Category: Mac virus, Redirect virus

Features: Makes changes to default browser’ settings, floods users’ screen with pop-ups, banners, in-texts links, and page redirects

Danger level: Medium

Distribution: Bundled software, fake software updates, etc.

Signs: Altered browser’s settings, page-redirects, constant ads flow, etc.

Risks Related To DeskActivity:

Potentially unwanted programs like DeskActivity, SyncApp, etc. are not among the most dreadful computer infections and certainly cannot harm the machines similar to a Trojan or Ransomware. All they are aimed at exposing users to as many advertisements as possible and rerouting them to sponsored sites that are trying increase their views and visits. When this adware is inside your Mac, you will have to suffer from regular ads stream that will show up on each web page you visit. Pop-up ads, banners, pop-unders, flashing boxes will severely disturb your online experience.

Regardless of not being able to damage your computer, DeskActivity can still lead to a number of unpleasant issues. For example, its ads are not filtered, so some of them could be leading to quite insecure webpages. If you interact with a misleading ad, you may find yourself on dangerous site with all sorts of hateful materials. Having explored their content, you may get tricked into disclosing your private data to fraudsters or installing PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and even malware. Even if this doesn’t always happen, regular browser crashes or freezes, slowdowns, etc. will be a common phenomenon. To avoid these occurrences, remove DeskActivity from the Mac without any delays.

How Does The Hijacker Enter Systems?

The developers of hijacking apps mostly rely on software bundling tactic to propagate their creations. They include their programs within the installers of regular software as optional components. When you decide to install freeware using the Quick or Automatic configuration setting after downloading it off the internet, you’re liable to the PUP infection. That’s because this way you cannot view the bundled objects. To not let this happen, we recommend opting for the Custom or Advanced method which allows you to see and untick the boxes next to any needless programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DeskActivity damage my Mac?

Browser-based parasites like this are not supposed to harshly damage your PC as they lack the malicious capabilities of real virus or malware. They are mainly aimed to displaying tons of annoying ads and redirecting users to sponsored webpages, some of which can be unsafe though.

How to avoid such infections?

You need to safeguard your Mac with a reputable security tool and keep it up-to-dated. Perform regular system scans and eliminate any suspicious programs that are detected. Also, don’t trust random websites and rely on official or verified sources only to download or update software.

Remove Files and Folders Related to DeskActivity

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove DeskActivity from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete DeskActivity add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to DeskActivity. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.