How to remove advertisements delivered by UltraLocator adware

What is UltraLocator?

UltraLocator is an adware-type application that delivers various intrusive ads. This app also shares characteristics with browser hijackers - it modifies browsers and promotes bogus search engines. UltraLocator promotes akamaihd.net, which redirects to Safe Finder.

Since most users download/install UltraLocator unintentionally, it is also categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Additionally, PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) usually have data tracking capabilities.

Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content (i.e., advertisements) on any visited website. Software within this classification delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads. These diminish the browsing experience, since they overlay web page content and limit browsing speed.

Furthermore, once clicked, intrusive ads can redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and execute scripts designed to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs) without users' permission. Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

These bogus search engines typically cannot provide unique results, and so they tend to redirect to genuine sites. With UltraLocator infiltrated, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to akamaihd.net, and then to Safe Finder, followed by search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine).

Furthermore, any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the browser hijacker to recover the affected browser.

As mentioned, most PUAs such as UltraLocator can monitor users' browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). These sensitive data is usually shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on misusing it for profit.

To summarize, installed PUAs can lead to system infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UltraLocator
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), Sophos AV (Adloadr (PUA)), 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 the 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.

MainReady, QuickLookSearches and PrimaryFunction are some examples of other adware-type apps. They often seem legitimate and tempt users into download/installation with offers of "useful" functions. These features rarely work as promised and, in most cases, do not work at all.

This applies to most PUAs - their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. These unwanted applications operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijacking browsers, causing unwanted redirects and collecting vulnerable data.

How did UltraLocator install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other software. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions. When downloading/installing, ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc. endangers devices with infiltration of untrusted or malicious content.

Some PUAs have "official" download websites. When clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products to verify their legitimacy, prior to download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrustworthy sources such as P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content.

Download/Installation processes should be treated with caution. Read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads often seem legitimate normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience these ads/redirects, check the system and immediately eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with UltraLocator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once UltraLocator installation is complete:

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

UltraLocator adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove UltraLocator adware using Combo Cleaner:

UltraLocator adware removal:

Remove UltraLocator-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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