Remove StandardMethod Adware From Mac OS X

Proper Guide To Delete StandardMethod

StandardMethod is a nasty piece of software that has been classified as both adware as well as a browser hijacker. As soon as this potentially unwanted program successfully gets into the Mac computers, it changes the default browser’s settings in order to promote fake search engines and then starts serving intrusive advertisements. It includes potential to track victims’ online actions and record data that is later on utilized for the advertisement campaign. And hence, after getting infected by this adware, you are constantly flooded with eye-catching deals, offers, discounts, banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys etc. which interrupts your online browsing badly.

Know More About StandardMethod:

Ads by StandardMethod completely diminish the online experience as they cover page content and downgrade the browsing speed. These ads contain vicious links and once clicked on, redirect people to potentially infectious websites that are filled with malicious contents and might even silently download/install unwanted programs. This perilous hijacker assigns the URLs of fraudulent search engines as browser’s homepage, default search tool and new tab/window addresses. And hence, each time you open a new tab or search some query into the address bar, you are redirected to sponsored domains.

Fake search engines promotes by StandardMethod are not able to generate results, so they often redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate ones. However, the outcomes are still not as expected as they often include sponsored links right at the top. These links take users to affiliated web pages that are trying to increase their popularity and gain more visits. This nasty PUP makes commission for the creators with each redirection and according to the clicks it gets on its adverts. We as have already mentioned, it is able to track people’s online activities such as pages viewed, links accessed, search queries typed etc.

StandardMethod gathers personal information like IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive data which is then monetized by being sold to cyber criminals. Scammers can misuse your personal details for deceptive transactions or purchases that might result in huge financial loss for you. And thus, presence of this hazardous threat in your work-station might lead to financial losses, serious privacy issues, identity theft and so on. All these malevolent activities executed by this adware consume enormous amount of memory resources and drag down the overall PC performance severely. And hence, an instant StandardMethod removal is strongly recommended.

Threat Details

Name: StandardMethod

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Makes changes to default browser’s settings, Redirects Mac users to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: Tons of annoying adverts, home page, search engine, new tab settings, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, 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 is recommended.

Penetration of StandardMethod:

Most of the times, unwanted programs are distributed along with other free software. This illusive marketing technique of pre-packing regular apps with vicious additions is known as “bundling”. While downloading programs from third-party sites such as softonic, cnet, soft32 etc. and then performing the careless installation process (ignoring terms, using “Easy/Express” settings. etc.), people often take risk of unknowingly installing all the bundled contents into their devices.

Tips To Prevent Adware Installations:

To prevent this, it is highly recommended to be very careful while browsing the net. Choose only official sites and verified channels to download software and always select the Advanced or Custom options to install apps. These options allow you to out-out all the unwanted components that are included to the software package and pick only the carrier program. In case your system is already infected with the PUP, you must remove StandardMethod from the Mac device without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to StandardMethod

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