How To Remove LearningActivity Adware (Mac)

Learn Steps To Delete LearningActivity (Mac)

LearningActivity is deemed to be a new application which can be classified as an adware along with browser hijacker traits as well. And more specifically, this adware cum browser hijacker is made to attach mostly Mac OS based computers. Getting somehow installed on targeted machine, the adware use to deliver a number of intrusive advert campaigns. Also, it alters internal browser settings to promote illegitimate search engines and push notification ads. In addition to these, adware or browser hijacker applications nowadays are also data collecting applications. The data in such instances refer to browser related information, social media credentials, geolocations, and many more. This is why LearningActivity is said to be an unsafe application for a machine and since it get installed mostly without any prior notice, it’s called as PUP as well.

Successful placement of an adware like LearningActivity on a targeted machine makes users to face off so many annoying elements on screen. Such elements may include pop ups, banners, coupons, vouchers, surveys, full page adverts, and many more. Mostly, these elements appear before users when they surf some website. Although, such adverts may appear like a part of visited website, but are actuallly adware injected adverts that should not be interacted. If a user continues to deal with them, they may get scammed. Also, their overall browsing speed will slow down in no time that also increases the risks associated with user or system related values.

Although, the adverts promoted by LearningActivity may seem a bit helpful and identical to genuine advertisements, but are just meant for deceptive purposes. If they are clicked, it redirect users to numerous unreliable or malicious website, and may sometimes install/download some malicious software. Browser hijackers often use to assign a new web address as default homepage, new tab and search engine defaults on affected browsers. So, infected Mac users are also expected to see those modifications with all their active browser settings. Also, the hijacker keeps a keen eye over all personal details which are often shared while surfing the web. And such collected information can later be used for illcit purposes too. Therefore, the impacts made by LearningActivity is completely terrible and should be fixed as soon as possible.

Summary about LearningActivity

Name: LearningActivity
Type: Adware for Mac
Derived from: Adload malware family
Problems: Infected Mac starts to run slower, users may see unwanted notification pop ups, frequent redirect issues
Distribution: Deceptive pop up advertisements, freeware installers, flash player updates, and many more
Removal: To learn how to delete LearningActivity from an infected Mac computers, we suggest users to check and follow guidelines as discussed through this article.

Software bundling is common to distribute adware//browser hijackers

It’s normal to see PUPs or adware downloaded/installed through third party installer applications. And obviously the Software Bundling is mostly used technique to embed malware codes with plenty of freebies, then spread over web. While installing various applications, user may start the process in rush and ends up ignoting terms, skipping steps, and so on. This kind of step often leads to secret installation of unwanted applications on computer, and it can be an adware or browser hijacker or anything else. This is why, LearningActivity like stuffs get installed without being noticed in prior,but the same increases the high potential risk.

Therefore, it’s highly recommended to download/purchase any software from official websites only. Before downloading any freeware applications, do make sure if the app is offered by a reliable download channels. Avoid as far as possible to interact with open online channels like free data hosting sites, P2P networks, and other third party channels too. Criminals often use these open networks to circulate their malicious codes. While installing some programs, make sure to follow Advanced/Custom installation mode to de-select any item which you find unwanted or unsafe one. However, if you are looking for some measures to detect and remove LearningActivity from an infected Mac, refer to guidelines section further.

Remove Files and Folders Related to LearningActivity

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