Boostertools.org POP-UP Redirect (Mac)

What is "boostertools.org"?

Boostertools.org is another deceptive, untrustworthy website promoted by other dubious sites that display fake system errors, scans, and so on.

Generally, most users visit these websites inadvertently - they are redirected by adware-type potentially unwanted apps (PUAs). Download and installation of these apps is usually unintentional, however, they go on to feed users with online advertisements and gather browsing-related data.

When installed, adware-type PUAs cause redirects to untrustworthy websites by forcing browsers to open them in new tabs or windows. Thus, users end up visiting boostertools.org when they click "Download", "Remove", or other buttons on deceptive websites that display fake system errors, scans, etc. These rogue sites are used to promote PUAs.

At time of research, boostertools.org promoted Mac Cleanup Pro. We recommend that you ignore apps that are promoted on unofficial, untrustworthy, or deceptive websites. Furthermore, most PUAs deliver coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other similar intrusive ads.

These are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content. The ads can be frustrating and diminish the browsing experience.

Furthermore, when clicked, they might redirect users to untrustworthy websites or even execute scripts designed to download/install additional unwanted applications (potentially malware).

Another downside of having these unwanted apps installed is that they collect IP addresses, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, search queries and other browsing-related data (that might also include personal details). The information is continually shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Therefore, having these apps installed can lead to various privacy or browsing safety issues, or even worse, identity theft. We strongly recommended that you eliminate installed PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	boostertools.org 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.

There are many potentially unwanted apps available on the internet, most of which are promoted as legitimate, useful tools.

In fact, these promotions are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users into downloading and installing them. Unfortunately, most of these apps are used to generate revenue for their developers and provide none of the features promised.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

In some cases, PUAs have official websites, from which they can be downloaded and installed, however, they are more commonly installed inadvertently through intrusive advertisements or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

This is used to trick people into installing unwanted applications together with users' regular chosen software.

Bundled applications are usually hidden in installation/download sections such as "Custom", "Advanced", etc. In most cases, information about the presence of bundled apps is not properly disclosed, however, these unintentional installations/downloads will only happen if users skip installation/download steps, leaving default settings unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software (especially free software) from official/trustworthy sites and using direct links. Avoid using third party downloaders or installers to download (or install) software. Never skip software installation/download steps without checking all available "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings.

Opt-out of additionally-included applications and only then finish the installation or download procedure. If you encounter ads that redirect you to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and other untrustworthy websites, check extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on your browser and remove any suspicious/unknown entries immediately.

Also apply this to suspicious programs installed on your operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Screenshot of the Mac Cleanup Pro application:

Screenshot of the Mac Cleanup Pro installer:

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 "boostertools.org"?
• 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 unwanted applications distributed via boostertools.org using Combo Cleaner:

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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