Remove PortalAgent Adware From Mac

PortalAgent Adware: Simple Delete Process

PortalAgent Adware is a kind of potentially unwanted program that has been specially designed by cyber criminals for promotional and commercial purposes. Once this nasty PUP successfully infiltrates the Mac computers, it alters the default browser’s settings to promote fake search engine. Similar to ActiveToken and other adware infections, it also gathers users’ browsing-related data which is then utilized for the advertising motives. And thus, after getting infected with this notorious threat, you are constantly flooded with thousands of annoying ads and pop-ups all over the day which interrupts your web sessions badly.

Know More About PortalAgent Adware:

PortalAgent Adware is typically spread via a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player. Soon after the intrusion, it starts its evil activities inside the machine. It displays eye-catching coupons, deals, banners, discounts, offers etc. and tries to make users click on them in order to earn revenues via pay-per-click scheme. These ads come with redirecting ability and when clicked, take people to affiliate sites some of which can be potentially dangerous, filled with malicious contents. It also includes traits of browser hijacker and changes the home page, search engine and new tab preferences without seeking for any approval.

PortalAgent Adware forces its victims to surf through a deceptive search tool that only produces inorganic results mixed with commercial contents and sponsored links right at the top. To prevent the settings from being restored, this notorious threat also installs multiple suspicious extensions, plug-ins, toolbars etc. on the browser. These add-ons however work as spyware and record all the keystrokes. This unwanted program constantly monitors your online activities and gathers important data that is very helpful for the production of target advertisements. Moreover, PortalAgent Adware can also steal your personal information like credit card and bank details that can be misused by the scammers for fraudulent transactions or purchases.

It alters the settings of the registries by making vicious entries in it which allows the PUP to get automatically activated with each device reboot. It may trigger many other precarious issues onto the machine such as application malfunctioning, boot errors, application malfunctioning, hard drive crash, software and so on. It eats up enormous amount of memory resources and slows down the overall computer performance drastically. Due to this, machine begins responding in a very slow manner and takes more than usual time to complete any task. And therefore, a quick PortalAgent Adware removal is strongly recommended.

Penetration Of PortalAgent Adware:

According to research, this potentially unwanted program is generally distributed via a fake installer that looks like a legitimate Adobe Flash Player however, specially designed to promote unwanted threats. These deceptive installers can be also utilized to spread more dangerous like ransomware, trojan and so on. When you visit a scam site intentionally or unintentionally, you are served with fake update notifications stating that your Adobe Flash Player needs to be updated quickly. You are also provided an update link when once clicked, leads to the installation of adware. So, it is very important to ignore these fake messages and avoid clicking on any suspicious link or button.

In addition, PUPs can be also distributed via “bundling” technique along with free applications as optional download tools. This often takes place when users download a freeware from third-party sites and then install the app using the pre-set configuration settings. And so, you should always opt for the Custom installation method which allows you to de-select the objects that look suspicious. In case your Mac is already infected with this PUP, you must remove PortalAgent Adware from the device as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to PortalAgent Adware

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