How to remove Kreberisec adware

What is Kreberisec?

Kreberisec has characteristics of browser hijackers and adware: it changes certain browser settings to promote the address of a fake search engine and displays advertisements. It might also be capable of accessing and collecting browsing-related information.

Commonly, users download and install programs such as Kreberisec unintentionally and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular app is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.

In most cases, adware-type applications feed users with intrusive ads such as coupons, surveys, pop-ups, banners, etc. They conceal underlying content of visited pages and also open dubious websites. In some cases, the ads can even cause download/installation of unwanted software by executing certain scripts.

Kreberisec hijacks browsers by changing settings, such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab, to the URL of a fake search engine. These bogus search engines often do not generate any unique results, and can even provide misleading information.

Browser hijackers often prevent removal of the fake search engine URL from browser settings unless the rogue apps are uninstalled. Additionally, Kreberisec might collect browsing data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and so on.

It is possible that it might also be capable of recording personal, sensitive details. The developers could misuse the data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways. Therefore, apps of this type can be the reason behind problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and even identity theft.

You are strongly advised not to download or install these apps. Third party installers (such as deceptive Adobe Flash Player installers) should never be used, since they are often used to distribute malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type programs).

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by Kreberisec
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), 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.

Kreberisec is very similar to a many other PUAs including, for example, CreativeSearch, ElementaryDataSearch and RecognitionAssist. These apps are generally advertised as useful, legitimate tools that supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, etc.

In fact, they are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue and can cause serious problems.

How did Kreberisec install on my computer?

As mentioned, Kreberisec is distributed through a deceptive, fake Adobe Flash Player installer, which has nothing to do with the official Adobe Flash Player software. Many PUAs might be distributed through the set-ups of other programs - developers include them as 'additional offers' and hope that users will fail to decline them.

The offers are mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings of the set-ups. When users download and install their programs without changing the settings, they often allow PUAs to infiltrate. PUAs are also downloaded/installed when people click deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), and other similar download/installation channels should never be trusted - they are often monetized by distributing PUAs and malicious software.

Programs and files should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct links. Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings, and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, unwanted apps, before completing the process.

Do not click intrusive advertisements that appear on dubious web pages, since they can open various untrusted, potentially malicious pages or even cause download/installation of unwanted applications. Remove all suspicious, unwanted, unknown extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons that are installed on the browser.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Kreberisec, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to Kreberisec adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.Kreberisec/Kreberisec
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.KreberisecDaemon/Kreberisec
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.Kreberisec.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.KreberisecDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the Kreberisec website are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:

1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".

2) Select the "Kreberisec" profile and delete it.

3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware/browser hijacker.

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

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

Kreberisec adware removal:

Remove Kreberisec-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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