Remove Connection-protect.com Adware From Mac OS

Tips To Delete Connection-protect.com

Connection-protect.com is a precarious web domain known for promoting multiple scams. It mainly targets devices that are based on Mac OS and most of its victims have been mobile users. The scam which is promoted by this deceptive site claims that visitors’ devices may have been infected with viruses due to visiting infectious web portals. The purpose of the scammers behind this fake claim is to trick users into downloading/installing or purchasing unreliable software. Most often, users are redirected to such scamming sites by adware or potentially unwanted program which is already installed on their Mac PCs.

More About Connection-protect.com:

When you visit Connection-protect.com intentionally or unintentionally, you are presented with a pop-up window stating that “suspicious activity” has been detected on websites that you have visited in recent times. You are then encouraged to close the notification and go through the following instructions to secure your device. When you close the pop-up, another one appears which claims that your iPads/iPhones may have been hacked. Due to recently visited unsecured sites that may have been phishing domains, this security violate has supposedly taken place.

Connection-protect.com pop-up states that if the issue is not taken seriously, it might pose a serious risk to your personal data and passwords. Hence, the fake alert intimidates visitors that the device may be blocked in order to secure it if no action is taken. To prevent this and guard your data, you are pushed to install a “trusted cyber security application”. We emphasize that no website can actually detect infections or issues present on your devices. Therefore, it is not more than just a scam that should not be trusted. You just have to leave the Connection-protect.com site without clicking on anything suspicious there.

As we have already mentioned, you usually get redirected to such harmful web pages by adware which silently penetrates your machine through various illusive techniques. This nasty PUP floods your system screen with endless intrusive ads and pop-ups and interrupts your online session badly. These ads might look very attractive but include spiteful links and wren clicked, redirect people to scamming, phishing and even malware-laden sites. And hence, an instant Connection-protect.com adware removal is highly recommended.

Threat Summary

Name: Connection-protect.com

Type: Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Symptoms: Fake pop-up messages, Alterations in default browser’s settings, default Internet search engine, new tab settings, Tons of annoying ads, identity theft. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Short Description: Claims users’ devices may have been hacked and then tries to deceive them into installing rogue software, Redirects people to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators, Also steals users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Serving IP Address: 99.84.248.114

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.

Infiltration of This PUP In Your System:

Mostly, Adware, browser hijackers and their products are spread via “software bundling”. It is a tricky distribution method. If programs are bundled together, that means that one or a few apps are attached to one legitimate one and spread like one. The moment you install software using ‘Quick’ or ‘Recommended’ setting, you end up with installing the additional components as well along with the main software. Downloading programs from unreliable sources such as download.com, softonic.com, and cnet.com often cause PUP installation without users’ knowledge.

How To Prevent Adware Infiltration?

The only way to stop such additional installations is to be attentive during the installation process of any freeware or shareware. To reject optional downloads, you need to:

• Select the Advanced or Custom installation mode;
• Deselect every unfamiliar or suspiciously sounding statement that says you agree to install optional free programs or updates.

Experts also advise avoiding secondary downloading sources as they can be filled with unreliable products. Moreover, do not be afraid to invest money into a reliable antimalware product that will always keep an eye on your device security while completing different types of computing and browsing tasks. In case, you are already infected with this malware, remove Connection-protect.com from the work-station as soon as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Connection-protect.com

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 Connection-protect.com 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 Connection-protect.com 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 Connection-protect.com. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.