Remove ScalableRemote Adware From Mac OS X

Proper Guide To Delete ScalableRemote

ScalableRemote is a potentially unwanted program that works as both adware as well as browser hijacker. Once this nasty PUP gets into the Mac computers, it starts serving annoying advertisements and also makes unwanted alterations in default browser’s settings to promote fraudulent search engines. All of a sudden, you will notice your current home page, search engine and new tab addresses have been replaced with another perilous URL. You might also see various suspicious extension, toolbars, plug-ins etc. are added to your browser. These helper objects prevent users from restoring the settings back to its original form.

Know More About ScalableRemote:

While using the search engine promoted by ScalableRemote, you only get inorganic results that include sponsored links at the top. These links redirect you to affiliate web pages where several third-party products, services or programs are promoted. With each redirection, this perilous adware makes commission for the developers. It also inserts several tracking cookies on the affected browsers and keeps eyes on users’ online activities all the time. It records important data regarding users’ browsing preferences and interests which is then utilized for the advertising purposes.

And therefore, ScalableRemote floods your Mac screen with thousands of bothersome ads and pop-ups all over the day that disrupts your web sessions badly. These ads show attractive banners, offers, deals, discounts, coupons, surveys etc. and try to make you click on them in order to earn profits via cost-per-click mechanism. Clicking on these adverts though might take you to phishing, scamming or even malware-laden sites that may result in more malware infection. So, you need to stay away from these adverts as much as you can.

While having ScalableRemote in your Mac system, you may have to suffer a big financial loss as well. It can steal your personal and confidential data such as user IDs, passwords, credit card and other financial details and that could be misused by the scammers for deceptive purchases or transactions. Furthermore, this nasty adware may reroute you to sites where you are presented with fake error messages, update alerts, security warnings etc. and then tricked into installing a rogue software. And hence, an instant ScalableRemote removal is highly required.

Summarize Information

Name: ScalableRemote

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Browser hijacker, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Redirects Mac users to third-party sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online profits for the creators.

Symptoms: Home page, search engine, new tab settings, constant appearance of intrusive adverts, fake pop-up messages, identity theft, Users are enforced to search the Internet using fake search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

Ways To Spread ScalableRemote:

The most popular distribution method of unwanted programs is “bundling”. Third-parties add multiple free components along with their applications which also manage to settle down on the device when the main software is downloaded and installed using the pre-set options. The ‘Recommended’ or ‘Quick’ configuration wizards don’t reveal the contents that are included to a software package. When people use these options, they often end up getting adware or hijackers on their machines.

Tips To Avoid PUP Intrusion:

To prevent this, it is highly important to be careful enough while installing software. Download any program from reliable sources or direct links only and avoid using third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks etc. Always select the Custom of Advanced configuration settings to install the application which allow you to opt-out all the components that give a concerning look. In case your system is already infected with this adware, you must remove ScalableRemote from the Mac PC without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ScalableRemote

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