Mac Ads Cleaner Unwanted Application (Mac)

What is Mac Ads Cleaner?

Mac Ads Cleaner is a fake system optimization tool identical to Mac Adware Cleaner. Research shows that it is related to another rogue application called Advanced Mac Cleaner. 

On initial inspection, Mac Ads Cleaner may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Be aware that this program typically infiltrates systems without permission and gives no real value for regular users.

Mac Ads Cleaner claims to provide a number of features that remove viruses and optimize the system by cleaning junk files. After running a system scan, users are presented with hundreds of potential threats/issues that must be removed, however, the free version of Mac Ads Cleaner is apparently not capable of doing this.

Therefore, users are encouraged to purchase the 'full' version. Be aware, however, that this application is fake and part of a scam.

The entire list of errors is false - your computer is probably optimized and completely virus-free. Mac Ads Cleaner's developers generate revenue by scamming gullible users - they scare and trick them into purchasing the full version that is useless. It simply cleans the fake list and nothing more.

Therefore, uninstall Mac Ads Cleaner PUP and never pay for the full version. This PUP is very likely to infiltrate systems without users' consent. There is a high probability that it came together with a number of other PUPs that generate intrusive advertisements (adware), cause unwanted redirects (browser hijackers), and gather various information.

These programs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety and should be uninstalled immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Mac Ads Cleaner potentially unwanted program
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	AVG (MacOS:AMC-AU [PUP]), Avast (MacOS:AMC-AU [PUP]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Application.MAC.AMCleaner.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.DU Potentially Unwanted), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Although Mac Ads Cleaner is a Mac OS application, it shares many similarities with dozens of other PUPs that run on other platforms. For instance, System Healer, Dr. Clean Pro 2018, 1Click System Mechanic, and many others. All claim to improve computer performance, however, these false promises are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

In fact, all potentially unwanted programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, PUPs generate intrusive ads, cause unwanted redirects, record data, and, in this case, promote in-app purchases.

How did Mac Ads Cleaner install on my computer?

To proliferate Mac Ads Cleaner, developers use fake error messages (delivered by rogue websites) and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Fake errors state that the system is damaged and attempt to trick users into downloading a 'system repair tool' - Mac Ads Cleaner.

"Bundling" is stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs together with regular software/apps. Developers do not disclose these installations properly. They hide all "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes.

Unsuspecting users are often tricked by fake errors and accept the downloads offered. Furthermore, they rush download/installation processes and skip steps. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

As well as using fake errors and the "bundling" method, developers proliferate PUPs using intrusive advertisements. Therefore, to prevent installation, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Ignore all errors displayed by web browsers. If you encounter any, close the browsing tab/window immediately.

Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to adult dating, gambling, pornography, and other dubious sites. These advertisements are often delivered by adware-type PUPs. Therefore, if you encounter suspicious redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

It is also very important to carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Your applications should be downloaded from official sources only, via direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers are monetized using the "bundling" method (by promoting PUPs).

Therefore, these tools should never be used. Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections - the key to safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with PUPs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them

Fake error promoting Mac Ads Cleaner:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Mac Ads Cleaner adds itself to the list of applications that automatically run upon each user log in. Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

• Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups. 
• Click your account (also known as Current User).
• Click Login Items.
• Look for "Mac Ads Cleaner" entry.  Select it, and click the "-" button to remove it.

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Mac Ads Cleaner?
• STEP 1. Remove Mac Ads Cleaner related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove malicious add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove deceptive plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

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

Mac Ads Cleaner PUP removal:

Remove Mac Ads Cleaner-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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