MixBuilder Virus (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MixBuilder?
MixBuilder is a potentially unwanted app (PUA) classified as adware. If this app is installed, it indicates that there are more adware-type apps already installed on the system. MixBuilder app is installed through other ad-supportive software without users' consent.
Users with apps of this type installed on their systems are continually served with unwanted ads. Furthermore, PUAs often gather information relating to users' browsing habits.
When installed, these PUAs deploy intrusive ads, such as pop-up ads, coupons, banners, surveys, etc. Generally, they are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, ads displayed by adware conceal underlying content of visited websites.
This can be very frustrating. When clicked, they cause unwanted redirects, opening untrustworthy websites that often contain/promote malicious software. Clicking these ads often allows them to run scripts designed to download and install various PUAs.
Furthermore, these PUAs usually record user-system information relating to browsing activity such as IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, and other data. These apps sometimes target personal, sensitive details. Developers share the information with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue.
Some of these third parties might be cyber criminals. If you discover aware-type (or other) PUAs installed, remove them immediately, since they can lead to problems with browsing safety, online privacy, and even identity theft.
Name | MixBuilder adware |
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. |
ChangeToPDF, PDF Mac Master, and Snap Media Player are just some examples of other adware-type apps that operate in a similar way to MixBuilder. Developers present these apps as useful tools that supposedly provide various features and other benefits.
In fact, they cause unwanted redirects, display ads, and gather data. They are used to generate revenue for their developers and deliver none of the promoted functions.
How did MixBuilder install on my computer?
In this particular case, MixBuilder is installed through other adware. Typically, rogue software is installed through another package when developers use the "bundling" method. They include (bundle) unwanted apps into software set-ups, hiding them in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar parts.
Furthermore, many people download and install software without checking settings, thereby causing unwanted installations. Clicking intrusive ads capable of executing scripts also cause unwanted downloads and installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Browse the web and download all software with care. Download using official and trustworthy websites, and not third party downloaders, unofficial websites, torrent clients, eMule or other Peer-to-Peer networks. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings when downloading and installing software, especially if it is free software.
Ensure that you opt-out of offers to install potentially unwanted applications. Furthermore, avoid clicking ads displayed on dubious web pages, since they might open other sites relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. If these redirects happen without clicking any ads, or unwanted ads appear on all pages, this might be due to installed PUAs.
Check the list of installed browser extensions, plug-ins and add-ons, and remove all suspicious/unwanted entries immediately. The same applies to unwanted programs installed on the computer/operating system. If your computer is already infected with MixBuilder, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
File locations of MixBuilder adware:
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.HermesLookupDaemon.plist
- /Library/Application Support/com.HermesLookupDaemon/HermesLookup
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.HermesLookup.plist
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.HermesLookup/HermesLookup
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 MixBuilder?
- STEP 1. Remove MixBuilder related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove MixBuilder ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove MixBuilder adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove MixBuilder ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
MixBuilder adware removal:
Remove MixBuilder-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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