Addonsmash Ads (Mac)

What is addonsmash?

"Addonsmash" is an advertising network that supposedly helps developers to monetize their browser extensions. Plug-ins that employ this network may seem legitimate and useful, however, they often infiltrate systems without consent. In addition, rogue plug-ins continually track users' browsing activity by recording various user-system information.

For these reasons, these plug-ins are categorized as adware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

Following infiltration, browser plug-ins employ a "virtual layer" to generate pop-up, banner, and other similar ads (marked as "Ad by addonsmash" or similar). "The virtual layer" is a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. The displayed ads often conceal the underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

In addition, some lead to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Be aware that rogue extensions often track web browsing activity by gathering various user-system information such as IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, etc.

There is a high probability that this collected data will contain personal details that PUP developers share with third parties (who misuse private information to generate revenue). Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. These plug-ins should be uninstalled immediately.

There are dozens of adware-type applications/browser plug-ins including, for example, Couponizer, HotShoppy, MacWizz, and MyShopMate. All claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience in certain ways, however, such claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

Adware-type applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value. These applications deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually record various user-system information (which is later sold to third parties).

How did adware install on my computer?

Adware is mostly distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular apps.

Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, bundled apps are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" options of these procedures. Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue apps/browser add-ons.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

PUPs are distributed using the "bundling" method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes. Closely analyze each step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Furthermore, decline offers to download/install additional applications. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting "Addonsmash" advertising network:

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Quick menu:

• What is addonsmash?
• STEP 1. Remove adware related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove deceptive ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove malicious add-ons from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Adware removal:

Remove addonsmash-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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