Remove ControlFraction from Mac OS

Effective guide to delete ControlFraction

ControlFraction is a type of software which is mainly designed to target Mac OS. Basically, it operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. Moreover, this application also makes changes to browser settings without having users knowing. Users visit such site when they have some adware or potentially unwanted applications inside their devices. Once started on a Mac, the adware is also capable of activating tracking technologies to spy on your online activities. Thus, removal of adware program is highly recommendable.

Additionally, apps like ControlFraction have both adware and browser hijacker functionalities. Adware delivers intrusive adverts into various forms and once clicked redirect users to untrustworthy or possibly malicious pages. Some of the delivered ads execute scripts that are designed to download and install software like PUAs. Despite this, browser hijackers reassign the addresses of default browser settings to promote dubious search engine. Such fake web searchers are not able to provide accurate search results so they redirect to other legitimate search engine.

Despite this, the adware is capable of tracking users browsing sessions. They can collect the data such as entered search queries, visited websites etc and collect personal information relating to it IP addresses, geo-locations and other details. These details could be shared to the cyber hackers who misuse the data to make illegal profit. Thus, appearance of unwanted software on computer causes system infections/infiltrations, serious privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. Hence, you should immediately remove ControlFraction and all suspect applications immediately.

Threat summary

Name: ControlFraction

Type: Mac malware, Mac virus, adware, browser hijacker

Short Description: A questionable application that appears in the Applications list on your Mac without your permission.

Symptoms: Urges you to visit annoying ads. Generates pop-ups with fake information and activates tracking technologies to harvest data.

Distribution Method: Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. Freeware installations. Corrupted websites.

Damage: Internet browser tracking possibly privacy issues, display of unwanted ads and redirect to dubious websites.

Removal: In order to remove ControlFraction, go through given below removal guidelines or you can use reliable antivirus tool.

How did ControlFraction intrude?

Usually, ControlFraction related PUA mostly infiltrated into targeted PC through download and install setups while installing some free programs. On the other hand, it can also circulate through other deceptive measures like software bundling, email scooping and many other social engineering techniques as well. If you are installing any apps on your device while browsing the web then you might end up having such unwanted PUPs installed along with them. To avoid these things, you should simply choose advanced or custom installation method. Also, you must avoid visiting porn sites and other hectic web sources that may cause severe damage.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

The key to computer safety is carefulness therefore you must always pay close attention while downloading/installing software as well as surfing internet. All downloads of software should be done by using official and trustworthy pages. Avoid using third party installers as they are used to promote dubious apps. So, these types of tools should not be used.

Avoid clicking on intrusive ads especially if they are displayed on dubious pages related to adult dating, gambling and so on. Once clicked, they redirect you to harmful websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. To eliminate ControlFraction and all adware infections from the infected Mac OS, users are recommended to use some reliable process.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ControlFraction

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