How to uninstall ProductTask adware

What is ProductTask?

ProductTask is disguised as an app that supposedly helps users to search (provide accurate search results and other similar features).

In fact, it is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) classified as adware. Typically, people do not download or install adware intentionally. When installed, PUAs display unwanted, intrusive advertisements and record data relating to users' browsing habits.

In most cases, adware serves ads such as banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys, and so on. People who click these are usually redirected to various dubious websites, however, they sometimes execute scripts that download (or even install) dubious, potentially malicious software.

In any case, it is not safe to click ads that appear due to installed adware. Furthermore, software of this type is often used to gather various data. For example, IP addresses, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, geolocations, and other details.

Some PUAs are used to record sensitive information. People who create these apps usually share the details with third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who misuse the information to generate revenue.

This can lead to problems with browsing safety, privacy, etc. Some people might even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall adware immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProdcutTask
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	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.

ProductService is very similar to other apps that are classified as adware including, for example, MightyBrowser, ProdigySearch, and CustomStrategic.

Adware and PUAs are often installed when the developers advertise it as legitimate, useful software. In fact, most apps of this type are useless and simply cause problems. They are designed only to help developers to generate revenue and do not function as advertised.

How did ProductTask install on my computer?

Common ways PUAs are downloaded and installed unintentionally are by clicking intrusive ads that are capable of executing scripts or during the download/installation processes of other (usually free) software.

PUAs are often included into the set-ups of other software as additional offers, which are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings of the download/installation set-ups. If these settings remain unchecked and unchanged, PUAs are able to be downloaded and/or installed together with regular software by default.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from trustworthy, official websites. People who download and install using third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), unofficial pages, etc., often download and/or install various PUAs in addition.

The set-ups commonly include settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", etc. Do leave them unchanged. Opt-out of offers to download or install PUAs, and only then complete downloading/installing software. Do not click intrusive ads, since they usually lead to dubious websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations.

If there is reason to believe a PUA is already installed on your browser and/or computer, check your browser for unwanted extensions, plug-ins, or add-ons, and remove them immediately. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the computer (operating system).

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

Pop-up window displayed once ProductTask installation is complete:

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

Video showing how to remove ProductTask adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProductTask adware removal:

Remove ProductTask-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.

▼ Show Discussion