Remove ExtendedTask Adware From Mac OS

Simple Steps To Delete ExtendedTask Adware

If your web browser is showing odd behaviour like intrusive pop-up ads and unwanted redirects, it might be under the control of a potentially unwanted program or adware. This kind of notorious malware threat is able to process other security and privacy intimidating activities aside from showing annoying advertisements. One example of such nasty PUP is ExtendedTask Adware. This precarious browser add-on usually infiltrates the Mac PCs by stealth through various deceptive techniques and then starts performing malicious actions in the background of the machine. The sole purpose of con artists behind developing this adware is to redirect Mac users to affiliated sites and generate Online revenues.

Depth Analysis of ExtendedTask Adware:

If viruses are the most deadly and harmful type of computer infection, PUPs like ExtendedTask Adware could be the most hostile and invasive as it is not generally detected by security tools as a threat. It evades some anti-virus programs because it lands on the Mac systems as normal software and hence, is not recognised as infectious. The detection would show up once it starts injecting malicious codes on the browser and begins to cause redirects to predefined harmful sites.

It is also common to potentially unwanted applications that they handle data tracking and therefore, Internet users’ privacy is at risks. ExtendedTask Adware is able to gather browser-relevant information that includes search terms, user name, passwords, favourite websites, browser version, IP address and so on. Cyber criminals may sell the collected information to third-party Online marketers or misuse them for Online frauds. This notorious PUP is an annoying malware threat that is promoted as valuable but performs useless and harmful activities inside the affected device. It also makes critical changes in default browser’s settings and replaces the current homepage, search engine and new tab URLs with its own perilous domain. Acquiring full control over the entire browser, this hazardous threat starts displaying intrusive adverts and causing frequent redirects to suspicious web portals. And so, it is highly recommended to perform an instant removal of ExtendedTask Adware from the Mac PC.

Threat Details

Name: ExtendedTask Adware

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Functionality: Aims to redirect users to affiliated websites, promote sponsored products, services and programs and make Online revenues for the developers, Also steal users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Symptoms: Endless intrusive ads, Altered default browser’s settings, default Internet search engine, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft, new tab settings. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your computer with a powerful anti-malware tool.

Invasion of ExtendedTask Adware In Mac Systems:

As stated, it is categorized as PUP and that only means that Mac users have no business in installing this program on their systems. In general propagation tactics, victims may have gotten it through deceptive software packages that are in disguise of media converter, free games, Internet speed enhancer, creativity applications, utilities and other similar apps. Though, not all freeware have this specific adware as additional installer, majority of them that are available on malicious file-download web pages and Online servers may contain other types of PUAs. Furthermore, users who often visit illegal media streaming sites may also catch ExtendedTask Adware especially if they are not cautious in accessing ads containing links which redirect them to malware-laden domains upon clicked.

ExtendedTask Adware Prevention Tips:

To prevent the installation of such PUAs, you should always choose Custom or Advanced installation options while installing any software where you can take complete control over the incoming objects. You just have to untick the components that give a concerning look and pick only the main program. Custom wizard allows you to deselect any of those additional extras, so experts always recommend staying away from Quick or Recommended configuration settings. You should avoid such services and pages where software is downloaded for free or always pay close attention to sources, distributors, authors of programs. Additionally, avoid visiting infectious sites or clicking on vicious ads or links as they may also cause PUP intrusion.

Other Harmful Traits of ExtendedTask Adware:

ExtendedTask Adware can be also responsible for the intrusion of many other Online parasites such as rootkits, Trojans, worms, spyware etc. in your computer as well since it has ability to deactivate all the running security measures and open backdoors for them. It consumes huge amount of memory resources and drags down the overall system performance severely. Due to this, machine starts responding in a very slow manner and takes more than usual time to complete any task. It displays fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and tries to deceive people into installing rogue software. And hence, looking at all these threats, you are strongly recommended to remove ExtendedTask Adware from the PC quickly.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ExtendedTask Adware

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