How to remove SystemSpecial adware from the operating system

What is SystemSpecial?

SystemSpecial is a rogue app, classified as adware. It enables the placement of various intrusive ads on any visited website. Additionally, this application has capabilities typical of browser hijackers. SystemSpecial modifies browser settings and promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net.

Due to the app's dubious proliferation methods, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Most PUAs can track browsing-related data, which is also likely to be the case with SystemSpecial.

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other advertisements. These significantly affect the browsing experience, since they overlay page content and limit browsing speed. When clicked, they redirect to untrusted/malicious websites and can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. This affects browsers in the following ways: each search made via the URL bar and each new tab/window opened redirects to the address of the bogus web search engine.

The fake search tools are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) legitimate sites. With SystemSpecial installed, users are redirected to akamaihd.net and then to Safe Finder, which is unable to generate search results and simply employs search.yahoo.com (a genuine search engine) for them.

Furthermore, any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all. Therefore, to recover the affected browser, the software responsible for the hijacking must be removed. It is possible that SystemSpecial might also have data tracking capabilities.

Typically, these applications can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gathers users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is monetized by sharing it with third parties, seeking to misuse it for profit as well.

To summarize, the presence of data tracking software on devices can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure browser/system health and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SystemSpecial
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 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.

ProgressSite, ActiveMulti and QuickLookSearches are some examples of other adware infections. These may seem legitimate and useful, however, they rarely work as promised and, in most cases, are nonoperational. In fact, this applies to all PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue at users' expense.

Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, cause unwanted redirects, hijack browsers and collects sensitive data.

How did SystemSpecial install on my computer?

Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages, however, these apps are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".

By rushing through downloads/installations (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using presets, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content onto their devices. Intrusive advertisements spread such applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is important to research all products before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrustworthy sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

Therefore, you are advised NOT to use them. When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions and so on. Intrusive ads may seem normal and innocuous, however, they can redirect to dubious and potentially harmful pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Pop-up window displayed once SystemSpecial installation is complete:

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

SystemSpecial adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove SystemSpecial adware using Combo Cleaner:

SystemSpecial adware removal:

Remove SystemSpecial-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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