Remove SourceAdd adware from MacOS

What is SourceAdd?

SourceAdd is the name of an app that supposedly makes internet browsing easier. In fact, it is classified as adware. Adware-type apps display intrusive, unwanted ads.

In some cases, they gather various details relating to users. In any case, many people download and install apps of this type inadvertently and, therefore, SourceAdd is known as potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Typically, installed adware feeds users with coupons, pop-ups, surveys, banners, and other ads. If clicked, these lead to untrustworthy websites and sometimes run scripts that cause unwanted downloads or even installations. Opened websites and downloaded/installed apps could be malicious.

Furthermore, these PUAs are often used to collect information such as users' geolocations, URLs of opened websites, entered search queries, IP addresses, and so on. Developers share the data with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Therefore, adware can lead to unwanted installations and problems with privacy and browsing safety. Some of the details might include personal, sensitive information, which cyber criminals could misuse to steal users' identities. For these reasons, we recommend that that you uninstall all PUAs including adware immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SourceAdd
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), 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.

SourceAdd is very similar to other adware including StudyDisplay, MatchKnowledge, Top Results, and a number of other apps of this type.

Typically, these are advertised as useful, legitimate, etc. Unfortunately, most PUAs provide no real value (advertised features, tools, and so on) and simply cause users various issues. To avoid problems, do not download or install dubious apps/PUAs and uninstall those already installed.

How did SourceAdd install on my computer?

Downloads and installations of adware and other PUAs are usually caused unintentionally. Typically, PUAs are downloaded or installed through set-ups of other programs. This happens when they are included in set-ups as additional 'offers'.

Related information is not properly disclosed, since developers often hide the details in "Custom", "Advanced" and other parts of the download or installation set-ups. This marketing method is known as "bundling" and is effective when people download/install programs without checking settings available in the set-ups.

By leaving them unchanged, they allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed with other, regular software. In some cases, unwanted downloads or installations are caused through clicked deceptive ads.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Unwanted downloads/installations can be avoided by downloading all software from official websites and through direct download links. Do not trust sources/tools such as third party downloaders (or installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), unofficial pages etc.

Check all settings (such as "Custom", "Advanced") that are available in each download or installation setup. Dismiss any offers to download or install additional programs. Do not click ads displayed on dubious web pages. For example, those relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.

These usually lead to other untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations. If the browser opens dubious pages and/or displays ads, remove all suspicious, unwanted apps including extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins. Also uninstall all programs of this type from the operating system.

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

Pop-up window displayed once SourceAdd installation is complete:

SourceAdd installation folder:

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 SourceAdd?
• STEP 1. Remove SourceAdd related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove SourceAdd ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove SourceAdd adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove SourceAdd ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

SourceAdd adware removal:

Remove SourceAdd-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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