How to uninstall OperationArchive adware

What is OperationArchive?

OperationArchive is a rogue application categorized as adware. This app runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. Additionally, it possesses browser hijacker characteristics such as browser settings modification and fake search engine promotion. OperationArchive promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net.

Most adware-type apps and browser hijackers can track browsing-related data, and it is highly likely that this will include OperationArchive. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate OperationArchive, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Software classified as adware delivers pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons and other intrusive advertisements. Typically, the ads are placed on any visited website. They diminish the browsing experience, since they overly web page content and reduce browsing speed.

Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive advertisements redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers make certain modifications to browser settings. With this software installed, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new tab/window opened, redirects to the address of the fake search engine. OperationArchive promotes Safe Finder via (akamaihd.net) in this manner.

Rogue web searchers are rarely capable of providing unique results, and so they often redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine sites. Recovering an affected browser without removing the browser hijacker is impossible, since access to the browser settings is restricted/denied and any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset.

Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The collected data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit. Therefore, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To ensure device integrity and user safety, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OperationArchive
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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.

UpdaterChannel, ImagineReview, and SearchModule are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and harmless, but often tempt users into download/installation with various functionalities. The advertised features are rarely operational and this is common to most unwanted applications.

PUAs have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and track private data.

How did OperationArchive install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using presets, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system. Certain PUAs have "official" download sites. Once clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software prior to download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content, and are thus untrusted.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. It is also important to exercise caution when browsing.

Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling and so on). If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

If your computer is already infected with OperationArchive, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once OperationArchive installation is complete:

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

OperationArchive adware installation folder:

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

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

OperationArchive adware removal:

Remove OperationArchive-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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