How to remove BufferKey from Mac OS X

Tips for BufferKey removal

BufferKey is an adware type app that posses certain traits of browser hijackers as well. It operates by running various intrusive ad campaigns, modifying the installed web browsers’ settings to promote fake search engine. It promotes Safe Finder through akamaidhd.net. Additionally, it can track users’ browsing information. Since users install this app unintentionally –the app is also called potentially unwanted application.

Adware enables the placement of the advertisements in the form of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys etc containing third party graphical content. This feature diminishes the browsing app significantly as the overlay ads limits the websites’ visibility and speed of web browsing session. In addition, upon being clicked, such ads cause redirect to various untrustworthy/malicious pages and even execute scripts to stealthily download/install malicious malware. Browser hijackers reassign browsers’ homepage, new tab page and default search engine options to the URL address of the site that they promote. The BufferKey promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net in this manner. This forces users to visit the said site all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter any queries on the search URL bar. Typically, fake search engines generate search results generated by some legit searching tools. In this case, the users get the final results on the search.yahoo.com page. However, the redirection is not harmful, but this will significantly affect the web browsing app. Also, this allows the crooks to control the redirects. Other dangerous feature of the BufferKey app is to track users’ browsing session and collect the data include:

• IP addresses,
• Search queries,
• Viewed pages,
• URLs visited,
• ISP,
• Geo-locations,
• Type of OS and browser used and so on

Such data could be shared to potent crooks who misuse them to generate illicit revenue. Thus, the data tracking can result into huge risk of privacy and can cause identity exposure. To prevent such issues, immediately remove BufferKey from the device.

Beware from software bundling-PUPs could be hidden inside

Typically, PUPs are distributed by using software bundling method. It allows the developers to attach their apps with some regular software and offer the bundled apps for the download as a package in a single unit. The crooks hide the PUPs behind the Custom/Advanced and other similar options so that the users do not notice the presence of them during the download moment and lead the inadvertent installation of the apps in their device, when they proceed with the casual procedures of rushing the download and skipping most of the installation steps.

Fortunately, you can prevent this situation.  For this, you need to be careful during software download, especially during the installation moment. Instead of skipping the installation steps, choose Custom/Advanced option and pay attention to each step of the installation. This way, you will get a list of all the apps attached with the regular software you download. So, you can deselect the unwanted apps from the list of the apps that get installed. Also, if possible, try to use only official websites and direct links for any software download and avoid any third party sites that are deemed as untrustworthy. For betterment, employ some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove BufferKey from the device.

Remove BufferKey

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove BufferKey from the system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to BufferKey

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 BufferKey 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 BufferKey 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 BufferKey. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.