Uninstall WorkDefault adware from MacOS

What is WorkDefault?

The WorkDefault app supposedly enhances the browsing experience (provides fast searches, accurate search results, etc.), however, it is actually software that is categorized as adware. Typically, apps of this type serve unwanted advertisements and, in some cases, also gather information relating to users' browsing habits.

Note that adware-type apps are potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that most people download and install inadvertently.

Apps such as WorkDefault usually feed users with coupons, surveys, banners, pop-ups, and other intrusive ads. Typically, these conceal content of web pages that users open on their browsers. This can be very annoying. When clicked, the ads usually open deceptive or untrustworthy sites, or they run scripts that trigger download/installation of unwanted applications.

Additionally, installed adware might gather information such as users' geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of opened/visited websites, IP addresses, etc. It might also collect personal, sensitive details. People who create these apps usually share the data with other parties (possibly, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Therefore, having adware installed on your computer or browser might lead to identity theft, problems with browsing safety, privacy, unwanted downloads, installations, etc. To avoid this, we strongly recommend that you uninstall WorkDefault and other adware immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WorkDefault
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Arcabit (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Hula.D (B)), FireEye (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.

WorkDefault shares many similarities with other apps of this type including, for example, LocalDefault, FormalSearch, and WindowMix. In most cases, they do not operate as advertised and simply cause problems. Only adware developers (and often other parties) benefit from these PUAs. Remove all adware and other PUAs from your system.

How did WorkDefault install on my computer?

Unwanted apps can be downloaded from their websites, however, they are often installed without users' direct permission. In most cases, PUAs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method known as "bundling" whereby developers include them in various download/installation set-ups and hope that people will not dismiss offers to download or install them.

Typically, information about these additionally-included apps can be found in setup options such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on, however, people often fail to check or change them. In this way, they give PUAs permission to be downloaded or installed with other, regular software by default.

Unwanted downloads and installations are sometimes caused by clicking deceptive ads. These then go on to run scripts designed to download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Avoid downloading or installing software using third party software downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, unofficial pages, and so on. The best way to download is to use official, trustworthy websites and direct download links. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings that are available in the set-ups.

Typically, these settings mention additional downloads and installations - they should be dismissed before completing any download or installation process. Avoid clicking intrusive advertisements, since these can redirect users to untrustworthy websites or lead to unwanted downloads/installations.

Unwanted redirects and ads can usually be stopped by uninstalling unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons from the web browser or programs of this kind that are installed on the computer. If your computer is already infected with WorkDefault, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Deceptive pop-up designed to install WorkDefault on Safari (displayed by adware that is already installed):

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

Video showing how to remove WorkDefault adware using Combo Cleaner:

WorkDefault adware removal:

Remove WorkDefault-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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