Remove NetworkSync Adware From Mac

NetworkSync: Complete Uninstall Steps

NetworkSync is a rogue PC threat, classified as both adware as well as browser. Users don’t often download/install this app with intent; it is mostly spread without their knowledge via deceptive techniques like software bundling. And therefore, it is considered as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). As soon as this nasty threat intrudes the Mac computers it starts running intrusive advertisement campaigns and makes modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines. The real objective of this PUP is to boost traffic for third-party websites and make quick online revenues for its developers.

NetworkSync Displays Intrusive Advertisements:

NetworkSync bombards your system screen with thousands of annoying ads in forms of pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page etc. These ads severely diminish victims’ online experience by covering website content and slowing down the browsing speed. They promote several deceptive/scam, unreliable, dubious, sale-based and malevolent webpages. Some ads may reroute you to domains where you are presented with fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and deceived into installing rogue software. Moreover, upon clicked, they can be triggered to execute scripts programmed to download/install potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) without users’ consent.

As stated in the introduction, NetworkSync also functions as a browser hijacker. So, it makes changes to browser’s homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs to other deceptive web searcher addresses. Whatever you type into the new browser tabs and do web searches via the URL bar, you are redirected to the altered search engine’s address. While using the fraudulent search tool, you are rerouted to Google, Yahoo, Bing or other legitimate search engines. This is because these fake search providers are not able to deliver results by themselves. So, they usually redirect to genuine one, but the results are still filled with ads and sponsored links at the top.

In addition, NetworkSync is capable of tracking users’ online activities and gathering browsing-related information such as IP addresses, geolocations, URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, and so forth. The collected information is then sold to third-parties for monetary purposes and can be utilized for generating personalized advertisements, making deceptive purchases, transactions etc. And hence, presence of this unwanted program in your Mac can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. So, an instant NetworkSync removal is strongly recommended.

Penetration Of NetworkSync:

The method these potentially unwanted programs generally employ for system infiltration is known as “bundling.” It refers to the stealthy installation of third-party software together with some freeware which the user initially intended to install. This generally takes place when people choose Quick or Recommended configuration settings to install software as these modes don’t reveal the components added to the package.

The PUPs are typically hidden in “Advanced” and “Custom” options. Therefore, we advise you to be very careful when installing free software and not to skip any steps without inspecting them first. Furthermore, you should avoid download managers and all sorts of installers which often spread bundled files and trust only on official pages and direct links to download apps.  In case your device is already infected with this PUP, you must remove NetworkSync from the Mac as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to NetworkSync

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