Remove Link Branch adware from Mac OS

Simple process to delete Link Branch

Link Branch is redirect for Mac that is similar to other threats including Navlibx Redirect, Weknow.ac Redirect and Adware.Mac:Generic. The major objective of this malware could be to do spyware activities on the computer system contaminated by it and essentially swipe essential details. Once installed, it will hijack your browser as well as disable all your security applications running on your device. These apps help you to improve web browsing experience and provide improved search results. But in fact, it’s phony at all because its main aim is to display several advertisements and collect information related to users browsing activity/habits.

However, in most cases it has been seen that people download and install such apps like Link Branch inadvertently and that is why they are classified as adware or potentially unwanted applications. Further, these adware feed users with intrusive ads and once you click on them they will redirect you to harmful websites or can executes malicious scripts that can download and install malicious software. Those ads significantly diminishes web browsing experience as well as also decreased internet speed. Thus, you are highly advised not to click on such ads. Another problem regarding these PUAs is information tracking.

Additionally, helper objects and Link Branch continuously record information related to browsing activity. Those details include IP addresses, visited websites, pages viewed, geo-locations and other similar details. In some cases, it might also gather your personal as well as sensitive details. People shared all collected details with third parties who misuse it in order to generate revenue as much as possible. Therefore, data tracking can leads to serious privacy issues and also even lead to identity theft. So, to fix all such troubles, you are recommended to eliminate all dubious applications and never visit such sites again.

How your system gets infected from Link Branch?

Like other redirect virus and harmful threats, Link Branch enters into your system by using several different techniques. Some of the most common methods used by them have been described below:

• Pirated or cracked software: If you are using pirated or cracked software in your computer, then you might get lots of malicious infections.
• Freeware or shareware: It can get install into your system from bundles of free software packages which you are downloaded from the internet.
• Infected external media drives: It can enter into your PC via infected external media drives like CD, DVD, USB drives and many others.
• Downloaded media files: If you have downloaded movie, music and other similar files in your PC from infected sources, then you might get lots of junk files or viruses.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

It is not safe to download software from third party downloader, unofficial pages and so on. So, we recommend you to download files and programs by using official websites as well as through direct links. Avoid clicking on intrusive ads if they are displayed on unofficial or unreliable websites. Researcher’s shows that they are typically delivered by adware type PUPs. The main reasons for computer infection are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to system safety is carefulness therefore always pay close attention while browsing internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the installation dialog and opt out for all additionally included programs.

Remove Link Branch

Manual removal steps require a lot of expertise and technical knowledge. If you have much skill about computer then you can go through such removal process. On the other hand, we advised you to use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to delete Link Branch and all infiltrated adware easily and instantly from the PC.

Short summary

Name: Link Branch

Type: PUP, Malicious domain, Redirect, Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Symptoms: A huge amount of advertising not originates from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased internet browsing speed, Your Mac become slower than normal.

Infiltration methods: free software installers, fake Flash Player Installers, torrent file downloads, potentially unwanted applications.  

Damage: internet browser tracking (possibly privacy issues), loss of private information, display of unwanted ads and redirects to shady websites.  

Removal: To delete possible malware infections we highly advised you to scan your PC with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS.  

Remove Files and Folders Related to Link Branch

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