How to uninstall BenefitSites from the MacOS
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is BenefitSites?
BenefitSites is an app supposedly designed to improve the browsing experience, however, it is categorized as adware, a potentially unwanted application (PUA). Adware-type apps such as BenefitSites serve various advertisements and gather information relating to users' browsing habits.
In most cases, people download and install PUAs such as BenefitSites inadvertently.
When an app such as BenefitSites is installed on the browser and/or operating system, it displays various advertisements on all/most pages that users visit. Adware generally serves ads in the form of coupons, pop-ups, surveys, banners, etc. These conceal underlying content of visited websites and also redirect people who click them to various other untrusted websites.
In some cases, these ads can be designed to run scripts to download/install unwanted, potentially malicious software. Furthermore, adware is often designed to collect details relating to users' browsing habits.
For example, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, IP addresses, and other browsing data, however, it is possible that installed adware might also be designed to collect sensitive information.
People responsible for these apps (the developers) tend to sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in various other ways. To summarize, installed adware can cause problems relating to browsing safety and privacy, lead to unwanted download/installations and even identity theft.
Therefore, avoid this software and never download or install it. If BenefitSites or other PUAs are installed on the browser and/or operating system, remove them immediately.
| Name | Ads by BenefitSites |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), 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. |
Examples of other adware infections include ExpertModuleSearch, TechLetterSearch and ActionHow. Adware developers commonly advertise this software as supposedly improving the browsing experience, delivering features or some other value, however, most adware-type apps do not operate as promised and simply cause problems.
Adware helps the developers to generate revenue and provides nothing more.
How did BenefitSites install on my computer?
Adware and other PUAs are usually installed through clicked deceptive ads (that cause download/installations of PUAs by running certain scripts) or together with other (usually free) software. PUAs are often included into the set-ups of other programs and presented as additional offers.
This software distribution method is called "bundling" - developers use it to trick people into downloading/installing PUAs through the set-ups of regular programs. Information about additionally-included apps can generally be found in settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced".
PUAs are granted permission to be downloaded and installed with other software when people fail to check and change these settings.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Download software only from official and trustworthy websites and via direct links. Avoid various third party downloaders/installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule) or other similar sources - they are often used to proliferate unwanted or malicious software and files.
Check download/installation set-ups for "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings - dismiss offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious web pages, since they can redirect people to untrusted websites or cause download/installation of PUAs.
Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with BenefitSites, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once BenefitSites installation is complete:
BenefitSites installation folder and associated files:
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 BenefitSites?
- STEP 1. Remove BenefitSites related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove BenefitSites ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove BenefitSites adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove BenefitSites ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove BenefitSites adware using Combo Cleaner:
BenefitSites adware removal:
Remove BenefitSites-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.
Outstanding!
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