How to remove ads and redirects delivered and caused by ProduceStyle

What is ProduceStyle?

ProduceStyle is a rogue application categorized as adware. It runs intrusive ad campaigns (i.e., delivers various dubious and harmful advertisements). Additionally, this app has browser hijacker traits, such as browser settings modification and promotion of fake search engines.

ProduceStyle promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net. Since most users download/install this adware unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Most apps of this type record browsing-related information, and it is highly likely that ProduceStyle does so as well.

Adware-type applications enable the placement of pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and other intrusive ads, typically on any visited website. These ads overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. When clicked, they redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g PUAs).

Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of bogus search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address.

ProduceStyle promotes Safe Finder in this manner through akamaihd.net. Few search engines can actually generate search results, and so they usually redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Furthermore, browser hijackers can deny access to the browser settings and/or reset any permitted changes made.

As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations an other details).

Furthermore, this sensitive data is often shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), likewise seeking to misuse it for profit. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking software on systems can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProduceStyle
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Endgame (Malicious (moderate Confidence)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Full List (VirusTotal).
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.

CreativeSearch, ElementaryDataSearch and RecognitionAssist are some examples of adware infections. This software may seem legitimate and harmless, and users are often tempted into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionalities, however, the advertised features seldom work as promised and, in most cases, do not work at all.

This is true of most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, force-open untrusted/malicious pages and collect vulnerable data.

How did ProduceStyle install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via the download/install set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content onto their devices. Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research products before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and bundled content.

Treat download and installation processes with caution - read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, and so on. It is important to exercise caution when browsing.

Intrusive ads may seem normal, however, they often redirect to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.). If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and remove any suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

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

Pop-up window displayed once ProduceStyle installation is complete:

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

ProduceStyle adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove ProduceStyle adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProduceStyle adware removal:

Remove ProduceStyle-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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