Remove WindowMode from the operating system

What is WindowMode?

WindowMode is endorsed as an application capable of enhancing the browsing experience (e.g. providing fast searches, accurate search results, and similar). In fact, it is classified as adware, since it displays unwanted advertisements. WindowMode is also classed as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), as most users install this app inadvertently (i.e., they are tricked).

Most adware-type applications also have data tracking capabilities, which they employ to record users' browsing activity, consequently collecting their personal information.

Adware displays a wide variety of intrusive advertisements. For example, pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc. These can significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they limit browsing performance and site visibility (the latter, by overlaying web page content).

As well as annoying, these ads present risks to your privacy and computer safety. Once clicked, they redirect to various sale-oriented, untrustworthy and even malicious websites. Some intrusive ads can also execute scripts designed to automatically download/install unwanted, malicious content.

Additionally, some PUAs can track data. By monitoring users' browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.), they can collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations, and personal details). The private data is then shared with third parties (often, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain.

Therefore, adware present on devices can cause various system infiltration/infections and lead to severe privacy issues (including identity theft). To ensure device/user safety, remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WindowMode
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Hula.D (B)), Full List (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.

Most adware-type applications share common traits, and some are even be identical. FormalSearch, AssistEngine, and WindowArea are just a few examples of apps similar to WindowMode. These apps are often promoted as having a broad array of "useful" features, however, they rarely work as advertised, if indeed they are operational at all.

The only purpose of this unwanted software/content is to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no value. Adware is mainly designed to deliver intrusive ads campaigns, however, it can also be used to collect sensitive information.

How did WindowMode install on my computer?

Certain PUAs have "official" websites, on which they are often endorsed as "free" software. These unwanted apps also proliferate via the download/install set-ups of other programs. This false marketing technique of packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious content is termed "bundling".

This method is very popular amongst PUA developers and is frequently successful in proliferating these malicious products.

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.) endangers systems with potential infiltration and infection. Intrusive ads can also stealthily download/install PUAs, once they are clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Research all files/software to verify its legitimacy before downloading/installing. Only official and verified sources should be used for downloading. Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (e.g. BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting and unofficial websites, third party downloaders and similar channels, are untrustworthy and should not be used. 

Untrusted sources are far more likely to offer software bundled with unwanted and/or malicious programs. You are strongly advised to treat download/installation processes with care. Read the terms to ensure that you are downloading/installing exactly what is intended and that the content behaves exactly as advertised.

Additionally, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of downloading/installing supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Avoid dubious web pages and ads. Note that intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate and harmless, however, they often redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and similar).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with WindowMode, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once WindowMode installation is complete:

WindowMode extension installed on Safari:

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

Video showing how to remove WindowMode adware using Combo Cleaner:

WindowMode adware removal:

Remove WindowMode-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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