How to remove PortalFlow from Mac

Complete tips to delete PortalFlow

PortalFlow is a rogue application, categorized as adware. It also has browser hijacker characteristic. Furthermore, this software is also called potentially unwanted app because of deceptive distribution techniques used that leads its stealthy download/ installation.

Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content on any visited sites. Thus, you receive pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive ads through the web session. In addition of being nuisance, they pose danger to the device/ user safety.

When clicked on, they always open various untrustworthy, scam/ deceptive, compromised, and phishing and other dangerous websites. Some of the ads might run certain malicious scripts to cause unwanted downloads without users’ consent.

Browser hijackers alter browsers’ homepage, default search engine and new tab/ window URLs –to fake web search engines. Hence, with each opened tab and every entered query to the URL bar – redirection takes place to the promoted URL address.

They promote some fake search engines that cannot provide search results and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legit ones. Furthermore, browser hijackers can ensure persistence by adding various helper objects, making it impossible for the users to restore the browsers’ settings.

What’s more, most PUAs, including adware and browser hijackers, have data tracking capabilities. The targeted data include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISPs, Geo-locations and etc. The collected data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks.

To sum up, the presence of the potentially unwanted app on system can cause serious system infections, privacy issues, identity theft, monetary loss and even more severe consequences. To avoid such things from happening in future, remove PortalFlow and all associated components right away upon detection.

How did PortalFlow enter my system?

PUAs are often distributed using deceptive bundling – the method where packing of one app is done with unwanted and malicious content. Rushed download/ installation lead to their inadvertent installation.

Intrusive ads can sometimes proliferate in PUAs as well. Once clicked on, these ads run certain malicious scripts to cause stealthy download/ installation. Some PUAs also have their official promotional/ download pages where people download them intentionally.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

It is advised to research software well before their download/ install and/or purchase. Additionally, use only official websites and direct links for any software download. Untrustworthy downloading channels often offer dubious and/or bundled content.

Pay attention during download/ installation moment as well. You should read all terms, study possible option, use Custom/Advanced option and opt out from all additionally attached apps, tools and function and so on before finalizing the installation steps.

Intrusive ads appear legit and ordinary. However, they always open various unreliable pages such as gambling, adult dating and pornography and similar. In case you encounter any such ads, check the system for any suspicious apps and browser extensions for their immediate removal.

Get rid of PortalFlow infection

Below the post, you will find complete manual instructions to remove PortalFlow from the system. Alternatively, you can use some reputable antivirus tool, run a full system scan using it and let the software do the rest of the job for you in effective way.

Remove Files and Folders Related to PortalFlow

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