How to uninstall ContentStyles adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ContentStyles?
ContentStyles supposedly improves the browsing experience, however, it actually feeds users with various intrusive advertisements and collects personal information. ContentStyles is categorized as adware. Adware-type apps are also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since people tend to download and install them inadvertently.
Adware-type software displays intrusive advertisements in the form of banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys, and so on. When clicked, these open various untrusted, potentially malicious web pages or execute scripts designed to download or install unwanted applications.
Furthermore, apps of this type usually operate as information tracking tools. They collect browsing data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and so on. Research shows that ContentStyles can read sensitive (personal) information from browsers such as passwords, telephone numbers, credit card details, and so on.
Adware developers misuse the data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), who then misuse it in other ways.
Users who have ContentStyles installed on their browsers and operating systems are exposed to risk of monetary loss, identity theft, and problems relating to privacy and browsing safety. Therefore, avoid ContentStyles and do not download or install this adware. If it is already installed, remove it immediately.
Name | Ads by ContentStyles |
Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), 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. |
UpgradeIdeas, SystemSpin and ContentBenefits are the names of other apps that are classified as adware. In most cases, these PUAs do not deliver any useful features or any other value - they cause only problems. Most adware-type apps are designed only to serve ads and collect user-system information.
How did ContentStyles install on my computer?
Generally, adware and other PUAs are downloaded and installed through the set-ups of other software. I.e., when they are included into set-ups as "additional offers". This PUA distribution method ("bundling") is used to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with other, regular software.
In most cases, offers to download or install unwanted apps are listed in "Custom", "Advanced", or other similar options, however, many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate. In some cases, PUAs are downloaded and installed through deceptive advertisements.
Some ads cause unwanted downloads/installations by running certain scripts, however, this happens only when people click the ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Programs and files should be downloaded from official websites and through direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), and other similar channels and sources should not be to download or install software - they are often used to distribute various unwanted applications.
If a download and/or installation setup contains settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", check them (and change them if necessary). Dismiss any offers to download or install additional software. Intrusive ads that are displayed on dubious websites should not be clicked.
These can redirect people to untrusted web pages or download/install unwanted, potentially malicious software. Remove any suspicious, unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with ContentStyles, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ContentStyles installation is complete:
ContentStyles installed on Safari:
ContentStyles 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 ContentStyles?
- STEP 1. Remove ContentStyles related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ContentStyles ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ContentStyles adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ContentStyles ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ContentStyles adware using Combo Cleaner:
ContentStyles adware removal:
Remove ContentStyles-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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