How to remove MacAppsHD adware from Mac PC

Steps to delete MacAppsHD

MacAppsHD is described as suspicious domain that has been classified as adware. However, it is basically known as adware type programs that are mainly used to display intrusive advertisements. Additionally, this application have both adware and browser hijackers functionality. However, many people download and install adware unintentionally and that is why it has been classified as potentially unwanted applications. This notorious malware is created and distributed by group of cyber criminals with an aim to make illegal online profit. Further, most adware types and browser hijacker collects browsing related data of victims as well as other sensitive information without your knowing.

Depth analysis of MacAppsHD

As a rule, installed adware usually display intrusive ads on your desktop in form of coupons, offers, deals, discounts and other similar advertisements. Once clicked, those ads redirect you to harmful websites that cause downloads and installations of other unwanted software. Further, browser hijackers operates by modifying browser settings such as default homepage, search engine and new tab URL in order to promote addresses of illegitimate web searchers. Once this browser hijacker installed, when you will use this fake search engine to search anything you will get redirected to unreliable websites. Thus, to recover hijacked browser, it is necessary to eliminate installed software immediately.

Apart from this, many PUAs have data tracking abilities. They monitor users browsing habits and collect their information including entered search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, geo-location and other similar details. Sometimes, it can also collect your personal as well as financial details also. Later, developers behind this send all those gathered data with third parties who misuse it in order to generate revenue as much as possible. In short, presence of data tracking software on computer causes huge risk of privacy issues, financial losses and even leads to identity exposure. So, we recommend you to uninstall MacAppsHD and other similar apps soon from the PC.

Short description

Name: MacAppsHD

Threat Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Additional Information: This application belongs to Adload malware family.

Symptoms: Your Mac becomes slower than usual, you see unwanted pop-up ads, and you are redirected to dubious websites that contain lots of infections.

Also known as: Ads by MacAppsHD

Distribution methods: Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.

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

Removal: If your system has been infected with MacAppsHD, we recommend running a scan with reliable antimalware tool.

How did adware intrude on my computer?

Like other redirect virus and harmful malware, MacAppsHD enters into your system without having your permission as well as by using various deceptive tricks. The most common and effective methods used by them is software bundling. It is defined as an undercover installation of unwanted apps that take place together with other free software. In most cases, information about such bundled apps is hidden behind custom or advance options of installation setups. Thus, users rush and skip all those important procedures and keep them remain unchanged and often allow unwanted programs to be get downloaded and installed.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

In order to keep your PC safe and secure from further harmful infections, we recommend you to use only official websites and direct links for any software download. Other unreliable tools should not be used as it is considered to be untrustworthy as well as also offer bundled or deceptive content. While installing any apps, it is important to read terms, explore all possible options, use custom or advance options as well as other similar settings of installation processes. Moreover, it is not safe to click on deceptive ads as they mostly redirect people to harmful websites that contain lots of infections. Last but not the least, install reputable antivirus software and keep it enabled to avoid this kind of infection.

Remove MacAppsHD

Manual malware removal threat has been provided below under this article. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. You can also use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that can remove MacAppsHD and all infiltrated adware automatically from the computer.

Remove Files and Folders Related to MacAppsHD

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