How to uninstall BasicVirtual adware

What is BasicVirtual?

BasicVirtual is a rogue application classified as adware - it delivers various intrusive advertisements. Additionally, it has browser hijacker characteristics, such as modification of browsers and promotion of fake search engines (BasicVirtual promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net).

Since most users download/install this app unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing habits.

BasicVirtual adware displays various unwanted and even dangerous ads such as pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and so on. These intrusive ads diminish the browsing experience, since they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. When clicked, the advertisements redirect to sale-based, untrusted, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites.

Some can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs) when clicked. Operating as a browser hijacker, BasicVirtual reassigns the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the address of a bogus search engine.

Consequently, every new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to akamaihd.net, and then to Safe Finder. Fake search tools have no genuine value, since they are unable to provide unique results - they simply redirect to legitimate sites.

Safe Finder redirects to search.yahoo.com in this way. Recovering the affected browser is impossible without removal of the browser hijacker. It is highly likely that BasicVirtual can also track data - monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other products).

The data is usually shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit. In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on systems can result in various infiltration and infections, lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by BasicVirtual
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), Fortinet (Adware/Adloadr!OSX), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to Adload malware family.
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.

ArtemisSearch, TotalLetterSearch, and AtlantaLookup are some examples of software within the adware classification. These apps often seem legitimate and tempt users into download/installation with offers of "useful" features, however, these functions rarely work as promised and, in most cases, do not work at all.

This applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue at users' expense. PUAs operate by hijacking browsers and causing unwanted redirects, delivering intrusive ad campaigns and collecting private data.

How did BasicVirtual install on my computer?

The most common PUA proliferation method is through the download/installation set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions. Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using presets, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentional installation of bundled content. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Once clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to download/install PUAs, without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched prior to download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrustworthy download sources such as Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders should be avoided, since they can offer deceptive or bundled content.

Approach download/Installation processes with caution. Read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Pop-up window displayed once BasicVirtual installation is complete:

BasicVirtual redirecting users to the Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

BasicVirtual adware installation folder:

BasicVirtual installed onto the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove BasicVirtual adware using Combo Cleaner:

BasicVirtual adware removal:

Remove BasicVirtual-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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