How to uninstall DisplaySuccess adware from the operating system

What is DisplaySuccess?

DisplaySuccess is a rogue app classified as adware. It operates by running intrusive ad campaigns, however, DisplaySuccess also possesses browser hijacker characteristics. It modifies browser settings and promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net (a fake search engine).

Additionally, most adware-type programs and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Since most users download/install DisplaySuccess unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of various intrusive advertisements (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) on any visited website. They can limit browsing speed and web page visibility. Furthermore, once these ads are clicked, they can redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers modify browser settings by assigning the addresses of their fake search engines as the homepage, new tab/window and default search engine URLs. Therefore, any new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the newly assigned web search address.

DisplaySuccess promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net in this manner. Fake search engines have no real value to regular users, as they are usually unable to provide unique results. Typically, these bogus search tools simply redirect to genuine search engines.

The fake search engine promoted by DisplaySuccess is no exception - it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). Furthermore, any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is allowed at all.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities, and thus it is likely that DisplaySuccess does as well. These unwanted apps can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The gathered data is often shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for profit. To summarize, the presence of PUAs on systems can cause various infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DisplaySuccess
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.D), 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.

CoordinatorMedia, SearchVirtualInfo and DataHandler are some examples of other apps within the adware classification. They may seem normal and useful, however, the features promised are rarely operational. In fact, this the case with all PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.

PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause unwanted redirects and track private data.

How did DisplaySuccess install on my computer?

PUAs proliferate via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

Rushing download and installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content. Some PUAs have "official" download pages. Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate these apps into systems as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software and only download it from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (e.g. BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders should be avoided, since they offer deceptive and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads may seem normal and innocuous, yet they often redirect to highly dubious sites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and others).

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

Pop-up window displayed once DisplaySuccess installation is complete:

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

DisplaySuccess adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

DisplaySuccess adware removal:

Remove DisplaySuccess-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.

▼ Show Discussion