MacAppExtensions Browser Hijacker (Mac)

What is MacAppExtensions?

MacAppExtensions is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser app installed by adware-type apps that are already present on the Mac system or browser. Once installed, MacAppExtensions hijacks browsers (changes settings) and gathers information relating to users' browsing activity.

Most PUAs can be installed on Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Once installed, MacAppExtensions appoints search.tapufind.com as the homepage, search engine, and new tab URL. Therefore, people with MacAppExtensions installed are forced to visit search.tapufind.com when they open a browser, new browser tab, or search using the URL bar.

Note that search.tapufind.com is a fake search engine that provides no unique results. It simply redirects users to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine belonging to Yahoo). Another problem with having MacAppExtensions installed is that this app (and search.tapufind.com and associated adware) records information relating to users' browsing habits.

It gathers geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, and so on. Developers share the data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Some of the shared data might contain personal details.

Remember that MacAppExtensions is installed through adware-type apps already present on the system. Most of these applications serve users with intrusive, deceptive ads such as pop-up ads, coupons, banners, surveys, and so on.

When clicked, they redirect people to untrustworthy (or even malicious) websites or execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted apps. We recommend that you uninstall all potentially unwanted apps immediately. Having them installed on your system might cause privacy/browsing safety issues or even lead to identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	MacAppExtension.app browser hijacker
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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 countless apps that hijack browsers and change settings. Typically, they are promoted as 'useful' - supposedly provide users with tools, features, and so on, however, having apps of this type installed usually leads to problems. Furthermore, they deliver none of the functionality promised and are designed only to generate revenue for their developers.

MacAppExtensions browser hijacker technical analysis:

• Detection names: BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Linkury.C)
• Full list of antivirus detections: VirusTotal
• Executable filename: MacAppExtensions.app.zip
• Sample first submitted: 2019-02-14

How did MacAppExtensions install on my computer?

In this particular case, the potentially unwanted app, MacAppExtensions, is installed through potentially unwanted, adware-type applications already installed on the system. People usually install these apps unintentionally when they click untrustworthy ads or download/install software without paying attention to the details.

To trick people into downloading and installing PUAs, developers use a method called "bundling". They bundle (include) unwanted apps into download or installation set-ups of other software. I.e., they hide information regarding the inclusion of these apps in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar parts of the set-ups.

Unwanted downloads and installations usually happen when people download or install software without changing (or even checking) available settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Be very cautious when browsing the web, and downloading and installing software, especially if it is free (free apps are often ad-supportive). Carefully study the "Custom", "Advanced" settings of any download or installation setup. Deselect additionally-included software (applications) and only then finish installing or downloading software.

There are many untrustworthy, intrusive ads that, once clicked, redirect people to dubious/untrustworthy websites such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc. They can also cause download and installation of PUAs. If you encounter such redirects or ads, check for unwanted apps installed on the computer or browser.

Remove all dubious, unwanted browser plug-ins, add-ons, extensions from the browser, and programs from the Mac computer immediately. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of a browser hijacked by adware:

Pop-up window opened by installed adware that promotes MacAppExtensions:

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 MacAppExtensions?
• STEP 1. Remove MacAppExtensions related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove MacAppExtensions redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove MacAppExtensions browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove MacAppExtensions homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

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

MacAppExtensions redirect removal:

Remove MacAppExtensions-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 browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

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.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

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".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• 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".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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