Remove CoordinatorData Adware From Mac OS X

Simple Steps To Delete CoordinatorData

CoordinatorData is a potentially unwanted program that includes traits of both adware as well as a browser hijacker. Once this nasty PUP successfully gets into the Mac computers, it makes alterations to default browser’s settings to promote fake search engines. Commonly, browser hijackers modify the search engine, home page and new tab preferences and grabs complete control over the entire browser. All the searches victims make go through some sponsored links that display promotional sites in the search results. These PUPs are known to collect browsing data such as IP addresses, geolocations, visited sites and so on.

Depth Analysis of CoordinatorData:

Data gathered by CoordinatorData are sold to third-parties whose motives might be not only for advertisements but also for other vicious purposes. Search engine promoted by this adware doesn’t provide results on its own. It displays outcomes powered by Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine ones. But the outcomes are still not organic as they often contain sponsored links right at the top. During the presence of this notorious malware in your Mac system, you are constantly flooded with thousands of annoying ads and pop-ups all over the day that disrupts your web sessions badly.

Ads by CoordinatorData could redirect you to several phishing, scam or even malware-laced sites that host spyware, trojan or even deadly ransomware. Moreover, at some web pages you are presented with fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and then trapped into installing rogue software. And hence, you should avoid interacting with these adverts no matter how attractive or useful they look. This nasty PUP can be a big threat for your privacy too as it can also steal your personal and confidential information relating to credit card and banking details and expose them to cyber hackers for evil purposes.

CoordinatorData changes the registry settings by making vicious entries in it which allows the adware to get automatically activated with each PC startup and to remain persistent. It messes with vital system files that are essential for smooth computer functioning and prevents many running apps as well as drivers from working in an appropriate manner. It may trigger many other hazardous issues in the compromised systems such as boot errors, application malfunctioning, hard drive crash, software failure and so on. And therefore, a quick CoordinatorData removal is strongly recommended.

Threat Details 

Name: CoordinatorData

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Makes changes to default browser’s settings, Redirects users to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: Numerous intrusive adverts, home page, search engine, new tab settings, Fake pop-up messages, 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 Prevent CoordinatorData:

These potentially unwanted programs are spread using various deceptive methods. But, mostly they enter the targeted PC systems with freeware bundles and malevolent ads. Usually these packages involve more than one non-related programs. If users select the Quick or Easy configuration settings, all the components in the bundle will be installed automatically because all boxes are pre-selected. And that’s how adware and browser hijackers sneak into computer systems.

How To Prevent Adware Intrusion?

To prevent such unwanted installations, you should always opt for Custom or Advanced installation options while installing any software. Remove the checkmarks from pre-ticked boxes of the offered apps that you don’t require or look suspicious. Moreover, download any program from reliable channels or direct links only and avoid using Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, third-party downloaders, installers etc. In case your PC is already infected with this threat, you must remove CoordinatorData from the Mac devices as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to CoordinatorData

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