How to remove ConsumerSurvey adware from Mac

Step to delete ConsumerSurvey adware

ConsumerSurvey is a potentially unwanted application that has both adware as well as browser hijacker characteristic. This means, it serves for various intrusive advertisements and also modifies web browsers’ settings to promote an address of a fake web search engine. Also, like other adware and browser hijacker, it can track users’ browsing based data. Since often, people download/ install such apps unintentionally – these apps are also called potentially unwanted applications.

More about ConsumerSurvey

Usually, ads from ConsumerSurvey app appear in various formats like banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys and so on. It is common that such ads are designed to promote questionable pages. In some cases, they can be designed to cause unwanted download and/or installation of unwanted software by running certain scripts. Since this app also functions as browser hijacker application as well, it changes the browser settings such as browsers’ homepage, new tab page and default search engine to an address of some fake search engine. The problem with such search engines is that they do not generate their own search results or they generate results that include links to shady pages.

Usually, people cannot remove the assigned URLs to their browsers till the browser hijacker virus present in. The PUA restricts access to the browsers’ settings and resets any permitted changes. One more problem with having ConsumerSurvey app installed on the web browser and the OS is that it can track users’ browsing session and this way can collect the data like IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited and even the personally identifiable data such as credit card info, password, telephone number and other sensitive information. Such data can be misused for various malicious purposes such as to steal identities, personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases, transactions. To prevent any such issues from happening in future, ConsumerSurvey removal is highly recommended.

Threat Summary

Name: ConsumerSurvey

Threat type: Mac virus, Mac malware

Symptoms: Your Mac becomes slower than normal. You see unwanted pop-ups, and fake redirection to dubious websites

Distribution methods: deceptive pop-ups, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads

Damage: Internet browser tracking (potentially privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information

Malware removal: To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with reputable antivirus tool or follow manual instruction provided below the post

How did ConsumerSurvey intrude in?

It is known that certain fake flash player installers can lead users to download/ installation of application like ConsumerSurvey adware. Also, quite often PUA is distributed using software bundling method. In this case, developers include their PUAs under the download/ installation setups of regular software as additional offers. Such offers can be found in Custom/Advanced and other similar settings of the download/ install setups. Not all users check and change these settings when they download/ install software. By not doing so they allow for the additionally included apps to their device. Also, intrusive ads can lead to such PUAs installation. However, only those that are designed to run certain scripts after being clicked can cause stealth PUAs infection.

How to prevent PUAs infection?

Unwanted downloads and installations can be done by checking Custom/Advanced or other similar settings of the download/ installation setups and declining the offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Also, it can be done by downloading software only from official, legitimate and via direct download links. It is not safe to use other sources, tools like third party downloaders, p2p networks and unofficial websites and etc. Intrusive ads appear legit and ordinary however they often redirect to various questionable pages. In case, you encounter any such ads and redirects, immediately inspect the system for suspicious apps and browser extension/ plug-ins and add-ons for their removal.

ConsumerSurvey removal guide

Below you will find complete stepwise guide to perform ConsumerSurvey removal. Using this, you can easily remove the PUA hidden behind. You can also use some reputable antivirus tool so as to perform the PUA elimination task automatically.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ConsumerSurvey

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