How to uninstall RecordExplorer adware

What is RecordExplorer?

RecordExplorer is classified as adware and is designed to serve advertisements. It also functions as a browser hijacker (promotes a fake search engine by changing browser settings) and promotes the Safe Finder website by opening it through the akamaihd.net web address.

Commonly, adware-type apps (and browser hijackers) also gather browsing-related data. These applications are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since users often download and install them inadvertently.

In most cases, installed adware feeds users with intrusive advertisements (e.g., coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads) that, when clicked, often open dubious websites. Sometimes ads displayed by adware can cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts.

Another problem with apps such as RecordExplorer is that they often collect data relating to users' browsing habits. For example, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, IP addresses. RecordExplorer also promotes a fake search engine by changing certain browser settings.

Typically, apps of this type ensure that users are forced to visit a specific address when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar (they assign the address as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab). Commonly, these modifications cannot be undone as long as the app that made them is installed on the browser and/or computer.

Note that RecordExplorer might be designed to collect browsing data and also some personal, sensitive information.

The data could be sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and/or misused to generate revenue in other ways. Therefore, to avoid problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy or even becoming a victim of identity theft, do not download or install RecordExplorer or other apps of this type.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by RecordExplorer
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.

RecordExplorer is very similar to RotatorAssist, OptimalAssist, OperationArchive and many other apps that are classified as adware. Commonly, these apps are advertised as legitimate, supposedly improving the browsing experience, and are useful in other ways. In fact, most are useless - they are designed to generate revenue for the developers and can cause serious issues.

How did RecordExplorer install on my computer?

Developers often include PUAs into the set-ups of other programs and hope that users will not decline offers to download and install them together with their regular software. Usually the offers can be found (and declined) through "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of set-ups.

Many users fail to check and change them, thereby allowing PUAs to be downloaded and installed. This distribution method is called "bundling". Additionally, PUAs are often downloaded and installed when people click deceptive ads that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download all programs only from official websites and via direct links. Other channels such as third party downloaders (and installers), torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites are often used to distribute unwanted, sometimes even malicious apps.

Therefore, such channels should never be trusted or used. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of the download and installation setup and decline offers to download or install additionally-included (unwanted) apps.

Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious web pages, since these can open untrusted websites or cause download/installation of unwanted applications. Remove any unknown, unwanted/suspicious 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 RecordExplorer, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once RecordExplorer installation is complete:

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

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

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

RecordExplorer adware removal:

Remove RecordExplorer-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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