Eliminate LocalDefault adware from MacOS systems

What is LocalDefault?

LocalDefault is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that is classified as adware. Typically, users do not download or install apps of this type intentionally - they are tricked. Adware-type apps are usually designed to display ads and/or gather details relating to users' internet browsing activities.

According to developers of LocalDefault, this app should help users to browse more efficiently by supposedly delivering accurate, faster search results, etc.

In most cases, adware-type apps display coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, and others. It is not safe to click these, since they can lead to untrustworthy, often deceptive web pages used to distribute unwanted, malicious apps. In some cases, people click the ads, thereby allowing them to run scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted applications.

Furthermore, adware-type apps might be designed to gather details such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, etc. Developers send the data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

These actions might lead to identity theft, problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and so on. To prevent this, remove adware from browsers and operating systems immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LocalDefault
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Arcabit (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Hula.D (B)), GData (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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.

More examples of apps similar to LocalDefault include WindowMix, FormalSearch, and StructuredService. Once installed, they perform actions that help their developers to generate revenue. Most do not operate as promised and cause only problems. For this reason, remove all adware and unwanted apps.

How did LocalDefault install on my computer?

These apps usually infiltrate systems without users' knowledge. Most people download or install them unintentionally when they click deceptive ads or during the download/installation process of software. To trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with other programs, developers use a deceptive method called "bundling".

They include unwanted apps in set-ups. Information relating to this is hidden in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on, however, some people fail to check these settings and leave them unchanged - in this way, they agree with offers to download or install PUAs by default.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download programs or files from official websites. Do not use third party software downloaders/installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, etc.), dubious websites or other similar channels. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings available in set-ups and deselect offers to install or download any unwanted apps.

Do not trust intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious websites. If clicked, the can open untrustworthy websites or download/install PUAs. Browsers often cause unwanted redirects and/or display ads due to PUAs installed on the browser/system.

To prevent this, uninstall all suspicious, unknown and unwanted apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) from the browser. Also apply this to programs of this kind installed on the MacOS system. If your computer is already infected with LocalDefault, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Fake update pop-up window designed to install LocalDefault extension on Safari (displayed by adware that is already installed):

Installation folder of LocalDefault adware:

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

Video showing how to remove LocalDefault adware using Combo Cleaner:

LocalDefault adware removal:

Remove LocalDefault-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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