Remove AdminRemote Hijacker From Mac

 AdminRemote: Complete Delete Process

AdminRemote is a piece of malicious software that can be categorized as both adware as well as a browser hijacker. It uses deceptive techniques to sneak into the Mac computers and hence, often considered as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Quite often, this nasty adware is distributed via software bundling and fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Soon after the intrusion, it makes changes to default browser’s settings to promote fraudulent search engines. It also starts running intrusive advertising campaigns and redirects victims to affiliated web portals. Cyber criminals have specially designed this PUP to boost traffic for their partners’ websites and make online revenues.

AdminRemote Displays Annoying Adverts:

AdminRemote floods your Mac screen with tons of intrusive advertisements all the time that come in multiple formats such as coupons, pop-ups, surveys, banners, etc. These ads keep appearing on each site users visit and interrupt their online sessions badly. They downgrade the browsing speed and webpage visibility and diminish victims’ overall browsing experience. Moreover, these adverts put systems and users’ safety at high risk as they redirect to several unreliable, deceptive/scam, and spiteful domains. As soon as you interact with these ads, you might be taken to webpages that may contain:

• Push notification viruses
• Malware
• Potentially unwanted programs
• Gambling
• Tech support scam, etc.

Moreover, AdminRemote ads can stealthily download and install malicious software by running certain scripts. As stated before, it also works as a browser hijacker. And thus, it assigns fake search engine addresses as default search tool, homepage, and new tab URLs. When this nasty PUP is installed, every search query typed into the URL bar or new tab/window opened, it redirects to the advertised search engine address. These fake search providers are not able to produce results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones.

Results provided by the deceptive search tool promoted by AdminRemote are not relevant as they are filled with ads and sponsored links. So, it is not worthy to use such apps and rely only on genuine ones. One of the major traits related with this hijacker is data-tracking. It utilizes spying cookies and constantly monitors victims’ activities whatever they do online. It collects: IP addresses/ geolocations, browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, and so forth. Afterwards, these details are shared with third-parties and can be employed for customizing ads and making fraudulent transactions that may result in huge financial losses. Thus, a quick AdminRemote removal is strongly required.

AdminRemote Distribution Methods:

This nasty PUP usually finds its way on the targeted devices by exploiting the inappropriate software installation settings. While installing the downloaded freeware or shareware, users often opt for the quick modes to complete the installation process as soon as possible. However, the freeware downloaded off the Internet is commonly bundled with various additional components, which might not be useful or safe. In such a case, the quick software installer is not helpful at all. It automatically allows all software package components to install on the machine without allowing you to opt-out of the undesirable ones.

Thus, opting for the “Advanced” or “Custom” modes is a much safer option since it allows you to run the installation step-by-step, monitoring all the apps coming into the work-station. You can de-select the contents that look suspicious and pick only the one you wanted at the first. Moreover, you should stay away from ads that promote fake Adobe Flash updates as it leads to PUP installation and rely only on legitimate developers to update/activate software. But at the moment, you must remove AdminRemote from the Mac without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to AdminRemote

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