How To Remove Mulkey Hijacker From Mac
Mulkey: Complete Uninstall Process
Mulkey is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that includes traits of both adware as well as a browser hijacker. Once this notorious threat successfully infiltrates the Mac computers, it makes changes to default browser’s settings to promote fake search engines. Such browser-based intruders also have data-tracking abilities that are utilized by advertisers to create personalized advertisements. Users don’t install such PUPs with intent. In most cases, they are spread via deceptive tactics such as software bundling, fake Adobe Flash Player updates and so on. Soon after the intrusion, it starts performing malicious activities in the background and wreaks havoc onto the machine.
Mulkey Displays Intrusive Advertisements:
Mulkey floods your system screen with tons of annoying ads all the time on each web page you visit and interrupts your web sessions badly. These ads come in multiple formats e.g., pop-ups, coupons, banners, deals, discounts etc. They overlay the page content and slow down the browsing speed, as a result; severely diminish victims’ overall browsing experience. These ads are very risky for system and users’ safety as they endorse deceptive/scam, sale-based, unreliable, misleading, and even malevolent webpages. Some of these adverts can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install potentially unwanted programs by being clicked.
As stated in the first paragraph, Mulkey also includes browser hijacker characteristics. So, it alters the browser’s settings by reassigning default search engine, homepage and new tab/window URLs to fake search tool addresses. Hence, whenever you open a new tab/window and type something into the URL bar, you are redirected to the fraudulent search provider. These fake search tools are not capable of providing results, so they generally reroute to legitimate ones. But the results delivered are still not relevant as they are filled with ads and sponsored links.
Mulkey inserts tracking cookies on the affected browsers and constantly monitors victims’ web activities. It can gather information that includes: IP addresses/ geolocations, webpages viewed, URLs visited, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. Later on, the collected data is sold to third-parties for monetary benefits and could be utilized to customize ads, make fraudulent transactions, online purchases and other illicit purposes. Hence, presence of this hijacker in your Mac may result in severe privacy issues, identity theft and huge financial loss. So, Mulkey removal should not be delayed.
Infiltration Of Mulkey:
Potentially unwanted programs are most often distributed via download/installation setups of other free applications. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or vicious additions is known as “bundling”. It happens when people download a freeware from popular site like cnet.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, download.com etc. and then perform rushed installation process (ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, choosing pre-set options, etc.).
It can be avoided by selecting right configuration settings. The Custom or Advanced installation options provide you complete control over the incoming downloads and allow you to opt-out the components from the download list that look suspicious. By doing so, you can prevent adware and other unwanted threats from sneaking into your work-station and install only the one you wanted at the first. Moreover, choose only reliable download sources and official pages and avoid using the Peer-to-peer networks, and other third-party downloaders. If your Mac is already infected with this threat, you must remove Mulkey from the device as soon as possible.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
Mulkey can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Remove Files and Folders Related to Mulkey
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”.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
Mulkey can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this 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 Mulkey 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 Mulkey 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.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
Mulkey can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
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 Mulkey. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.
