How to remove redirects to and from the kromtech.net website

What is "kromtech[.]net"?

kromtech[.]net is a rogue domain used to promote MacKeeper, a potentially unwanted application (PUA). This domain redirects visitors to various landing pages that promote the MacKeeper PUA. Research shows that users typically visit kromtech[.]net inadvertently - they are redirected by PUAs already installed on the system.

As mentioned above, the kromtech[.]net domain is used to promote the MacKeeper app. Developers of this application have many affiliates who promote MacKeeper in malicious ways, including the use of the kromtech[.]net domain.

Criminals proliferate various adware-type applications designed to diminish computer performance, open new browser tabs/windows, and redirect users to kromtech[.]net. As a result, many users notice that their systems are working slower.

This technique is often successful, since affiliates often trick recipients into downloading and potentially purchasing the MacKeeper PUA, which is presented as a good system cleaner/optimizer. Furthermore, adware-type applications are also likely to deliver other advertisements and gather sensitive data (which is later sold to third parties).

Therefore, promotion of the MacKeeper PUA is not the only source of revenue for the rogue affiliates. In summary, if you encounter redirects to kromtech[.]net, immediately remove all suspicious applications, including MacKeeper.

Threat Summary:

Name	kromtech.net pop-up
Threat Type	Potentially unwanted application, Mac malware, Mac virus
Promoted Application	MacKeeper
Serving IP Address	3.212.206.237
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), display 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 dozens of PUAs that share many similarities with MacKeeper. For example, ProntoApp, Advanced Mac Cleaner, Cleanup My Mac, and PathBrand. Most offer useful features, however, few provide the functionality promised. These apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, they cause redirects, deliver advertisements, and gather information.

Some PUAs (such as fake system cleaners/anti-virus suites) display fake system scan results to scare and trick recipients into purchasing so-called 'full versions' of these apps, since the free versions are supposedly incapable of fixing the listed errors (which usually do not even exist). In these ways, criminals attempt to extort money from unsuspecting users.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Potentially unwanted applications (such as those that promote kromtech[.]net) usually infiltrate computers without users' consent, since developers proliferate them using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software.

Developers hide "bundled" apps behind "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often click advertisements, rush download/installation processes, and skip steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention during the download/installation processes and browsing the Internet in general. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since most are monetized using the "bundling" method".

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, preferably using direct download links. Additionally, study each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, however, most redirect to dubious websites such as surveys, adult dating, gambling, pornography, and similar. If you encounter these ads and redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins immediately.

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

Examples of MacKeeper landing pages promoted via the kromtech[.]net website:

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 "kromtech[.]net"?
• 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:

Video showing how to remove MacKeeper unwanted application 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.

▼ Show Discussion