RarGenie Adware (Mac)

What is RarGenie?

RarGenie is a rogue application that supposedly eases the process of file compression. Initially, RarGenie may seem legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without consent; 2) display of intrusive advertisements, and; 3) monitoring of web browsing activity.

Following infiltration, RarGenie delivers pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar ads. To achieve this, developers employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Thus, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, they often lead to malicious websites.

Clicking them is risky and might result in further adware or malware infections. Furthermore, browsing activity is continually monitored, since RarGenie records IP addresses, URLs visited, queries entered into search engines, and other information containing personal details.

This data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal information to generate revenue. The presence of a data-tracking app such as RarGenie can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft and, therefore, we strongly advise you to uninstall this PUP immediately.

Research reveals dozens of adware-type applications that share similarities with RarGenie including History Button, Weather Inspect, and Search App - these are just some examples from many. As with RarGenie, these adware infections also claim to provide certain 'useful features', however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than providing any significant value for regular users, PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model) and continually record various information (which is later sold to third parties).

How did RarGenie install on my computer?

RarGenie has an official download website, however, it is also distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, many users install RarGenie inadvertently, without their consent, since they rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.

Aware of this, developers hide bundled apps (such as RarGenie) within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. 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, analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Secondly, cancel all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install additional applications. The key to computer safety is caution.

Deceptive application installer promoting RarGenie adware:

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Quick menu:

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

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

RarGenie adware removal:

Remove RarGenie-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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