Remove RotatorBox Adware From Mac

RotatorBox: Complete Uninstall Process

RotatorBox is a malicious piece of application which tends to infiltrate the Mac computers by stealth without users’ approval and then contribute tons of evil deeds inside. Judging on its activities inside the compromised PCs, it has been categorized as both adware as well as a browser hijacker. Soon after entering the Mac devices, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) makes changes to default browser’s settings to promote fake search engines. It even installs several helper objects (BHOs) on the browser to prevent the settings from being restored. After that, it starts disrupting its victims’ online sessions with intrusive ads and constant redirects.

RotatorBox Uses Cookies To Monitor Users’ Web Actions:

Similar to ProcessBrand Adware and other adware infections, RotatorBox can also track users’ online activities using spying cookies. It gathers browsing-related data such as entered search queries, URLs of accessed domains, links clicked, IP addresses, geolocations etc. and shares them with commercial content creators who utilize those details for generating personalized advertisements. And therefore, users affected with this PUP have to deal with thousands of intrusive advertisements all the time that come in  multiple formats such as banners, deals, offers, discounts, coupons, surveys etc.

Ads by RotatorBox work on pay-per-click scheme and when clicked, earn profits for the developers. The more people click on these adverts, the more income its creators generate. Nonetheless, clicking on these adverts may put your system’s security at high risk. Many of them might contain spiteful links and redirect you to highly dangerous websites that are fully occupied with malicious contents. At some domains, visitors are served with fake error messages, security alerts, update notifications etc. and then tricked into installing dubious software or PUPs. So, you should avoid interacting with these adverts no matter how eye-catching they look at the first glance.

While using the fake search tool promoted by RotatorBox, you are rerouted to legitimate ones like Google, Yahoo, Bing or others. This is because the deceptive search engines are not capable of providing results by themselves, so they often redirect to genuine ones. However, the results you get are still not organic as they often contain ads and affiliate links right at the top. As stated before, this perilous adware can track your web activities and hence, it can also steal your personal information like credit card and bank details. Scammers can misuse your sensitive data for fraudulent transactions that may lead to huge financial loss. And so, an instant RotatorBox removal is strongly recommended.

Ways To Spread RotatorBox:

According to cyber security experts, if you got a potentially unwanted program, it might have come from a bundle that you have downloaded recently. This generally takes place while downloading freeware from unreliable sites and then installing using the pre-set configuration settings like Quick or Recommended. When you use third-party installers you might install unwanted components together with the regular software. Also, several networks and web pages might also be responsible for a PUP distribution.

To avoid this, always select the Custom or Advanced section while installing any free software. Opt-out all components that you do not want to install on your PC and pick only the one you require. Stay away from suspicious pages as much as possible and choose only reliable sources and direct links to download products. Avoid clicking on ads and hyperlinks that often appear while web surfing as they may take you to malware-laced pages. Additionally, install antivirus protection to secure your PC system fully. In case you are already infected with this hijacker, you must remove RotatorBox from the Mac system as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to RotatorBox

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