How to remove SystemNotes adware from the operating system

What is SystemNotes?

SystemNotes is software categorized as adware. As with most applications within this category, it is promoted as a tool for improving the browsing experience by providing fast searchers, accurate search results, etc. In fact, this rogue app diminishes the browsing experience by running intrusive advertisement campaigns.

Due to the dubious proliferation methods used to promote SystemNotes (most users download/install it inadvertently), it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Furthermore, most PUAs (including adware) monitor users' browsing habits and gather information derived from it.

SystemNotes adware delivers a wide variety of annoying and harmful ads such as pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys and so on. These seriously affect browsing, since they diminish browsing speed and limit website visibility (i.e., by overlaying page content), however, they are more than just a nuisance.

These ads are also a threat to device health and user safety. Once an intrusive ad is clicked, it can redirect to sale-based, untrusted, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious web pages. Furthermore, these ads can be triggered (by clicking them) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

These unwanted applications often have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

It is highly likely that this sensitive data will then be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit. In summary, the presence of PUAs on systems can cause various infiltration and infections, lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft.

Therefore, to ensure device integrity and user safety, you are advised to remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SystemNotes
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Didnarbois.A), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), 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.

BenefitSites, ExpertModuleSearch and ActionHow are some examples of adware-type apps. They often appear legitimate and offer "useful" functions. The range of the features promised is broad, however, they are usually nonoperational. In fact, this applies to most PUAs whose only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrusted and malicious sites, modify browsers and restrict/deny access to settings, and track/collect private data.

How did SystemNotes install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other products. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions. When downloading/installing, ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections increases the risk of potential infiltration and infections via bundled content. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. These web pages are commonly promoted by deceptive/scam sites. Intrusive ads also proliferate these apps. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products to verify their legitimacy, prior to download/installation or purchase. Perform all downloads from official and verified sources.

Untrustworthy download channels such as free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content and should not be used.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions and so on. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they often generate redirects to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography and others).

If you encounter these advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with SystemNotes, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SystemNotes installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove SystemNotes adware using Combo Cleaner:

SystemNotes adware removal:

Remove SystemNotes-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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