How To Remove CommonGeneration (Mac)

Proper Guide To Delete CommonGeneration

CommonGeneration is a potentially unwanted program that includes characteristics of both adware as well as browser hijacker. Once this nasty PUP gets into the Mac computers, it starts performing malicious activities in the background and wreaks havoc onto the machine. It alters the default browser’s settings such as home page, new tab page and search engine with its own perilous URL and acquires complete control over the entire browser. The sole motive of the creators of this adware is to promote their partners’ services, products and websites and make quick online revenues from rookie users.

Know More About CommonGeneration:

Fake search engines like CommonGeneration are not capable of providing results themselves so, they often redirect users to genuine ones like Google, Yahoo, Bing and others. This particular search tool also reroutes people’s web searches to Yahoo. However, the outcomes are still not organic as they often include commercial material and sponsored links at the top. While having this nasty PUP in your work-station, you are bombarded with thousands of intrusive ads and pop-ups all over the day that makes your online sessions very complex and problematic.

CommonGeneration displays eye-catching deals, offers, discounts, banners, coupons etc. and tries to make people click on them in order to earn revenues via cost-per-click mechanism. These ads look very attractive but can be not be taken lightly as they might include vicious links and redirect people to phishing, scamming or even malware-laden sites that host trojan, spyware or even destructive ransomware. Visiting on such pernicious domains may results in the intrusion of more malware threats. So, it would be better to stay away from these adverts no matter how eye-catching or useful they look.

PUPs like CommonGeneration are able to track users’ online activities like webpages viewed, search queries typed, URLs visited and so on. It collects personal information such as geolocation, IP addresses and other details which is then monetized by being sold to third-parties. Scammers can misuse your sensitive data for deceptive purchases or transactions and cause you to suffer a big financial loss. Moreover, the gathered information is also very helpful for generating and displaying attractive advertisements in order to get as many clicks on them as possible and earn maximum revenues. Presence of this nasty adware in your work-station for a longer duration may cause many other hazardous issues in the compromised systems. And thus, a quick CommonGeneration removal is strongly recommended.

Threat Details

Name: CommonGeneration

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Browser, hijacker, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Redirects users to unknown web pages, Alters default browser’ settings, Exhibits annoying adverts on all sites people visit, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online profits for the creators, Also steals users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Symptoms: Numerous intrusive adverts, Changes in default browser’s settings, new tab settings, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft. 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: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

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

Penetration of CommonGeneration:

Like other potentially unwanted programs, this notorious infection is also mostly distributed through software bundling technique along with other free applications. When users download free software via unreliable site and then install it carelessly (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.), they often end up installing such PUPs in the machine as well along with the main software. Moreover, intrusive adverts and hyperlinks also trigger the download and installation of these apps without users’ consent. In addition to that, these unwanted programs can be also downloaded from “official” promotional pages.

Tips To Prevent Adware Intrusion:

To avoid this, it is necessary to research any products or software before downloading and installing them. Choose only trustworthy and official sources to download program and avoid using unofficial and free file-hosting websites, peer-to-peer sharing networks and other third-party downloaders as they generally offer harmful bundled content.

It is highly recommended to always select the Custom or Advanced options to install software where you can opt-out all the components that look suspicious and pick only the desired one. Additionally, stay away from suspicious ads or hyperlinks as they often redirect people to questionable sites. But at the moment, you must remove CommonGeneration from the Mac computer without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to CommonGeneration

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