Remove FlexibleProtocol adware from Mac

Tips for FlexibleProtocol removal

FlexibleProtocol is a rogue website which has only aim to feed visitors with various unreliable content and to redirect them to other questionable sites. These application also have browser hijacker functionalities. It operates by making changes to the browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. Besides causing redirects to the suspicious domain, the PUPs deliver intrusive adverts and collect the browsing related data.

Additionally, PUPs inject intrusive advertisements (such as pop-ups, coupons, deals, discounts, banners and etc) typically on any visited website. Such ads redirect users to some untrustworthy, misleading and potentially malicious websites or run malicious scripts that stealthily download or install software like PUAs. Those ads are delivered by using tools which enable third party graphical content which significantly decreases the web browsing experience.

Despite this, PUPs mainly target browsers such as Google chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Edge etc and conduct numerous changes on all the active browsers settings and start forcing users to open new browsing tabs/windows and redirect them to FlexibleProtocol domain. It determines the geo-locations of the compromised PC by tracking visitors IP addresses. According to it, this domain either cause unwanted redirects or display certain questionable content.

As we mentioned in the introduction that PUAs also have data tracking ability. They can monitor browsing activity and collect sensitive information extracted from it. The developers might share such details to potent cyber criminals who generate revenue by misusing the data. Thus, data tracking can result into huge risk of privacy, and even identity theft. So, we highly recommend you to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions immediately from the system.

How PC gets affected from FlexibleProtocol?

There are two common methods used by cyber crooks to distribute this type of application are intrusive advertisements and software marketing method called bundling. For this, the users install the PUP accidentally. Intrusive adverts are designed to redirect people to questionable sites that scam users into downloading and installing some PUP or may run malicious scripts to directly cause computer infection. In bundling, silent infiltration of unwanted programs take place together with some regular software download.

Developers hide the additional components under custom or advanced options or other sections of download/installation processes. Thus, the intrusion of unwanted applications happens when users rush through the download processes and skip towards the available installation steps. Obvious, their behavior and skipping installation steps are the main reason why the infection occurs. For all this reasons, users are advised not to download programs without knowing their terms and agreements and clicking on any of displayed ads.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Users must be cautious during installation processes as well as at the time of online browsing. Using third party downloader’s/installer in not safe in any case as they commonly offer bundled content. Users must give priority to official websites and direct links for any software download and never forget to check custom or advanced option of installation process to prevent any unwanted apps intrusion.

Additionally, ads that appear on dubious pages should not be clicked as they redirect to highly questionable pages relating to adult-dating, gambling and many others. In order to keep computer safe and secure, users are highly recommended to delete FlexibleProtocol and all installed PUAs or adware type apps as soon as possible from the Mac PC by using some reliable antivirus removal tool.

Threat specification

Name: FlexibleProtocol

Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements.

Symptoms: Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine.

Distribution Method: deceptive pop-up ads, freeware installations, torrent file download, corrupted websites, malicious links and many other.

Damage: loss of private information, display of unwanted ads, redirect to dubious websites, internet browser tracking (potentially privacy issues).

Removal: Both manual and automatic malware removal guide have been discussed below under this article.

Remove Files and Folders Related to FlexibleProtocol

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