Tweakingtools.info POP-UP Redirect (Mac)

What is tweakingtools.info?

tweakingtools.info is a rogue website designed to deliver deceptive content. Most users do not visit this web page willingly - they are redirected by installed adware-type potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

These apps usually infiltrate browsers (or computers) without users' knowledge. Typically, they deliver intrusive ads, monitor users' browsing habits, and record browsing-related data.

Once installed, unwanted apps of this type force affected browsers to continually open tweakingtools.info in new tabs or windows. This website performs fake system scans to promote various potentially unwanted applications (at time of research, the Mac Cleanup Pro PUA). Do not download tools that are promoted using deceptive, untrustworthy, or unofficial websites.

PUAs that cause these redirects also deliver intrusive ads, such as coupons and banners. These are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content. When clicked, they usually redirect to dubious websites, some of which might be malicious.

In some cases, these ads are capable of running scripts that download/install unwanted (possibly, malicious) apps. Additionally, PUAs gather IP addresses, search queries, URLs of visited websites and other browsing-related data. The data might also contain personal details.

Developers share the data with third parties (potentially, also cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Thus, having these apps installed increases the risk of problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, and computer infections. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you uninstall all potentially unwanted apps immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	tweakingtools.info pop-up
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
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.

Typically, developers promote potentially unwanted apps by offering useful tools, features, and so on. In fact, these apps are designed only to generate revenue for their developers (by collecting data, causing redirects, and deploying intrusive ads). In most cases, users receive none of the functionality promised or any other value.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Users are often tricked into installing PUAs. Software developers achieve this using "bundling", a deceptive marketing method used to trick people into installing unwanted apps together with other software. PUAs are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation set-ups.

Typically, information about the presence of bundled apps in download/installation set-ups is not properly disclosed. Furthermore, many users skip installation/download steps and do not check available settings, thus causing inadvertent installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download/install software and browse the web with care. Download software (especially free and ad-supportive software) using official and trustworthy sources, and direct links. Avoid using third party software downloaders, torrents or other similar sources.

Do not rush software installation and check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options first (the same applies to checkboxes ticked by default). Deselect any "special offers", tools, or other additional applications before you finish the installation process.

If you encounter intrusive ads that redirect you to untrustworthy websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on), check the list of the installed applications (add-ons, plug-ins, and extensions) on your browsers and remove any unknown or unwanted entries immediately.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

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 tweakingtools.info?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

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

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove 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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