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How to uninstall GroupSource from your browser and computer

Also Known As: Ads by GroupSource
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is GroupSource?

Like most adware-type applications, GroupSource is designed to feed users with advertisements and collect information. Additionally, it designed to promote the Safe Finder website by opening it via the akamaihd.net web address.

People often download and install adware unintentionally and, therefore, apps like GroupSource are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

GroupSource adware

Adware serves pop-ups, coupons, banners surveys and other similar advertisements. Commonly, these promote dubious websites and/or unwanted applications. Therefore, people who click these ads allow them to open dubious sites or execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted, potentially malicious apps.

Therefore, ads that appear due to GroupSource being installed on browsers and computers can cause serious problems if clicked. Furthermore, adware often gathers information relating to users' browsing activities. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited pages, entered search queries and other browsing data.

Some PUAs can record private, sensitive details. Research shows that GroupSource can read/access data such as passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers and other sensitive, personal information. These details can be misused to steal identities, various accounts, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, etc.

The data might also be sold to third parties, potentially cyber criminals. In summary, users of GroupSource might become victims of identity theft, experience problems with online privacy, suffer monetary loss, and other problems. Therefore, never download or install this, or other similar apps.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by GroupSource
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.Synataeb.D), 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.

Some more examples of apps similar to GroupSource are PlusSpecial, EngineOrder and InteractiveSpeed. Developers often advertise them as supposedly improving the browsing experience or delivering various features, however, most are useless and can cause serious issues.

Therefore, remove GroupSource and other PUAs from the browser and operating system immediately.

How did GroupSource install on my computer?

In most cases, PUAs (including adware such as GroupSource) are downloaded and installed through deceptive advertisements that users click, or when developers distribute them using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

This latter method is used to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs together with other programs by including them into the software set-ups as 'additional offers'. Included apps are usually listed in "Advanced", "Custom and other similar settings of the set-ups.

Many people leave these settings unchecked and unchanged, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed with regular programs. Deceptive advertisements can cause unwanted downloads and installations when they execute certain scripts, however, this happens only if they are clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and other similar channels are used to distribute adware and other PUAs. They also proliferate malicious programs. Therefore, never use these channels to download or install software.

All files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Check all "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other settings of the set-ups and decline offers to download or install unwanted applications.

Do not click intrusive advertisements that appear on dubious, unofficial websites, since they can open potentially malicious websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Such ads might also appear on legitimate websites.

Remove any suspicious, unwanted, unknown 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 GroupSource, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once GroupSource installation is complete:

pop-up displayed once GroupSource installation is done

GroupSource redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

GroupSource redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net

GroupSource Contents folder:

groupsource adware contents folder

GroupSource adware installed on Safari:

groupsource adware safari extension

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:

Video showing how to remove GroupSource adware using Combo Cleaner:

GroupSource adware removal:

Remove GroupSource-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by GroupSource QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by GroupSource on your mobile device.
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