How to remove ConnectionIndexer adware Mac

Easy methods to delete ConnectionIndexer from Mac OS X (Remove Mac Virus)

This article will give you complete information about ConnectionIndexer as well as you will get some recommended methods/procedures to remove the malware from machine. You can read this article for learning or educational purpose also. Let’s starts the discussion.

What is ConnectionIndexer?

ConnectionIndexer adware is categorized as Mac Virus that is runs malicious advertisements, makes modifications to browser settings and promotes fake search engines. It modifies the default homepage, new tab URLs and search engine of your browser with third parties’ domain. It claims that it is safe & fast search engine as compare to some popular search engine like Google, Yahoo and Bing. It modifies browser’s shortcuts on your PCs’ desktop with its own extension and pin it to taskbar as well. When you try to open such infected shortcuts, then you will notice unwanted domain as default search engine of your browser.

ConnectionIndexer is able to attack your Mac computer and corrupts major genuine functions or applications of your computer without permission. It blocks all the security applications/tools including antivirus software running in your machine to avoid the detection of malicious activities related to this malware in your computer. Due to blocked security tools, attackers attempt to tricks you install potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) in your computer. If your System has detected this malware, then you should try to remove ConnectionIndexer from computer immediately.

Threat analysis

Name: ConnectionIndexer

Type: Mac Adware, Mac Virus, PUP, PUA, Browser hijacker, Mac Malware

Browser infected: Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc

System infected: Mac OS X based devices

Description: This dubious adware application does several unwanted modifications in your browser’s settings as well as in your System’s settings. It blocks you from revert the changes.

Distribution methods: Bundles of freeware or shareware, malicious ads or popup messages, suspicious hyperlinks, fake software updates or security alert messages and many other tricks.

Motives of crooks: Aims to collect your personal information as well as steal your money from your wallet or e-wallet

Removal Solution: To remove ConnectionIndexer or similar infection, we recommended you to scan your computer with powerful antivirus software.

What ConnectionIndexer does?

Cybercriminals are behind ConnectionIndexer attacks who want to gain some illegal online profit and cheat with innocent users. They never do any mercy with you. It shows bogus offer ads or popup on your browser and tricks you into providing your personal information to them. Its main aim is to collect your some information such as IP address, URLs search, login ID & password of your various accounts, banking information and more details as well. However, it can bombard your computer with harmful malware like Trojan, ransomware, worm or other malware that can make your System useless.

How your System gets infected from ConnectionIndexer Mac Virus?

This dubious Mac Malware is mostly get install in your System from bundles of free software packages which you are downloaded from internet. Downloaded free software packages in your machine from unknown sources might contain some additional programs in the form of adware, PUAs, Trojan and other harmful malware that can infect your machine deeply. But it is possible to avoid the installation of these malicious programs from freeware. Software developers recommended you to choose custom/advance settings for the installation of freeware in your machine. You should be alert while surfing online and avoid installing free software packages in your device from unknown sources.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ConnectionIndexer

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