Remove ActivityConfig ads From Mac OS

Easy Steps To Delete ActivityConfig ads

ActivityConfig ads often show up on your computer screen if there is an adware running in the background of your system. ActivityConfig is a type of notorious PC threat which upon getting into the Mac devices, conducts a series of malicious activities in the background and wreaks havoc onto the machine. It also includes characteristics of a browser hijacker and makes changes to browser’s settings to promote a deceptive search engine. This potentially unwanted program assigns its own nasty URL as the new home page, search engine and new tab addresses without your consent and grabs complete control over the entire browser.

Know More About ActivityConfig ads:

When your Mac PC is infected with this adware, ActivityConfig ads will keep appearing all the time showing banners, coupons, pop-ups ads, surveys, discounts, deals etc. These ads are based on pay-per-click scheme and earn revenues for the developers when clicked. They promote shady websites and also spread unwanted applications as they are designed to execute certain scripts that trigger download and installation of some undesired programs. Moreover, ActivityConfig forces its victims to use a fake search engine that only produces inorganic results mixed with commercial contents and sponsored links right at the top.

ActivityConfig ads are very eye-catching since they are based on users’ browsing preferences and habits. This perilous hijacker tracks its victims’ activities whatever they perform during online sessions. It collects data such as links of accessed sites, entered search queries, geolocations, IP addresses, and other browsing information. Moreover, this notorious threat can gather personal information as well relating to banking and credit card details. These details are then sold to third-parties for monetary purposes and also utilized for the production of attractive-looking ActivityConfig ads that help advertisers to get as many hits on them as possible and earn maximum revenues.

And hence, presence of this intrusive parasite in your work-station can lead to severe privacy issues, identity theft and may even cause you to suffer a big financial loss. It consumes enormous amount of memory resources and slows down the overall PC performance drastically. This nasty adware causes the device to respond in a very slow manner and take more than usual time to complete any task. And therefore, a quick ActivityConfig removal is highly recommended from the Mac system.

Quick Glance

Name: ActivityConfig ads

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Shows intrusive advertisements, makes alterations to default browser’s settings, Redirects users to affiliated or even malware-laden domains, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: Tons of annoying adverts, fake pop-up messages, altered startpage, search engine and new tab page, identity theft. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool is recommended.

Ways To Spread This PUP:

There are various deceptive tactics through which, potentially unwanted programs are distributed. However, most often, they are spread through software bundling technique where several components are included in a single software package. This usually takes place while downloading a freeware from third-party sites like download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, cnet.com etc. and then performing the installation process via ‘Quick’ or ‘Recommended’ mode sets which don’t often reveal the contents added to the download list. Also, you can also get infected with unwanted threats if you have habit of clicking on suspicious ads and hyperlinks that you are served with while web surfing.

How To Prevent Adware Intrusion?

You need to be very careful while browsing the net and downloading/installing software to prevent unwanted installations. Always select the Custom/Advanced installation options where you can opt-out the components that give a concerning look. Moreover, downloading software or products from reliable sources, official sites, direct links will be highly beneficial if you want to stay away from these PUPs. Avoid using third-party downloaders, peer-to-peer sharing networks, unofficial sites to download product. Also, stay away from suspicious ads and links that you usually see during the web surfing. But at the moment, you must remove ActivityConfig ads virus from the device as soon as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ActivityConfig ads

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