MacSwift Adware (Mac)

What is MacSwift?

MacSwift is a deceptive application that infiltrates systems during installation of regular software (the "bundling" method). Following infiltration, MacSwift delivers intrusive online advertisements and continually tracks browsing activity by gathering various user-system information. For these reasons, MacSwift is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.

Following infiltration, MacSwift delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar ads. These are displayed using a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. They often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

In addition, these ads often lead to malicious websites - clicking them risks further computer infections. Furthermore, MacSwift continually tracks browsing activity by gathering IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar information that might be personally identifiable.

MacSwift's developers share this information with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal data to generate revenue. The presence of an information-tracking app such as MacSwift can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are advised to uninstall MacSwift adware immediately.

MacSwift is virtually identical to Shopperify, Addonsmash, Couponizer, and hundreds of other adware-type applications. By offering 'useful features', adware-type applications attempt to trick users into believing that these apps are legitimate and useful. In fact, research shows that applications such as MacSwift are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

These apps deliver no significant value for regular users. Adware-type applications are designed only to deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record user-system information relating to browsing activity.

How did MacSwift install on my computer?

To proliferate MacSwift, developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, users often install MacSwift inadvertently, without their consent. Bundling is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps.

Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, bundled apps are hidden within the "Custom" or "Advanced" options. Skipping this section exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.

Deceptive application installer promoting MacSwift adware:

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Quick menu:

• What is MacSwift?
• STEP 1. Remove MacSwift related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove MacSwift ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove MacSwift adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove MacSwift ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

MacSwift adware removal:

Remove MacSwift-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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