Remove DefaultExplorer Adware From Mac

DefaultExplorer: Simple Delete Guide

DefaultExplorer is a potentially unwanted program that is utterly affecting PC systems that run on Mac OS. This type of browser-based intruder can be installed either as browser extension or software. Either way, upon getting into the Mac computers, it makes unwanted changes to default browser’s settings and shows an excessive amount of annoying advertisements that may result in additional PUP installation or worse. Moreover, it can gather various browsing-related data that is often utilized by the advertisers to generate and display attractive-looking advertisements in order to get many clicks on them as possible and earn maximum revenues via pay-per-click scheme.

DefaultExplorer Redirects People to Affiliate Domains:

DefaultExplorer can affect almost all the most popular internet browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox etc. so that it could target maximum users. It displays advertisements in various formats such as coupons, deals, offers, banners, discounts, surveys etc. that look eye-catching and can easily gain users’ attention. These ads come with redirecting ability and take victims to pre-defined websites that could be even malicious ones, promoting malicious software, PUPs, fake surveys and so on. In general, the adware developers monetize by promoting several gaming, gambling, dating and other websites.

Redirects caused by DefaultExplorer ads might lead you to domains that push you to install shady software or have vicious codes and could download a virus payload file without any interaction of the user (using drive-by download method). This notorious parasite forces people to surf through a fake search engine that shows altered results, mostly filled with commercial contents and affiliate links. After clicking them, you may be deceived into visiting sponsored sites that seek to increase their page rank or sales. Beware that these redirects may also lead to suspicious, questionable and very harmful portals that are used for spreading malware.

You should stay away from DefaultExplorer if you don’t want to expose your systems’ IP address, its location, your email address, credit card and bank details and other information. If cyber criminals could get access to your sensitive data, they could misuse this information for fraudulent transactions or purchases. And hence, presence of this nasty hijacker in your Mac may lead to severe privacy issues, identity theft and huge financial loss. This nasty PUP slows down the overall computer performance drastically as it consumes huge CPU usage by constantly performing evil deeds inside. And hence, an instant DefaultExplorer removal is strongly required.

How Does This PUP Enter Your System?

Browser-based intruders are spread using several illusive methods, such as fake Adobe Flash installers, deceptive advertisements, and so on. But research suggests that the most popular technique to infect devices with potentially unwanted program is freeware bundling. Freeware isn’t generally offered by itself. It is accompanied by other programs which are often PUPs. Normally, users don’t know how these unwanted threats got installed on their systems as they bring these infections themselves during the installation of freeware, especially if they select Quick or Recommended installation method.

To avoid such applications, when installing freeware or software bundles, take the time and select the Advanced or Custom mode, and opt-out the pre-ticked boxes of objects that looks untrustworthy or that you don’t want to install. By doing so, you will keep your system away from PUP intrusions. But at the moment, you must remove DefaultExplorer from the Mac computer without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to DefaultExplorer

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