How to uninstall ConnectedBoost adware from the operating system

What is ConnectedBoost?

ConnectedBoost is an adware-type application that has browser hijacker characteristics. It delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns and modifies browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. ConnectedBoost promotes Safe Finder through search.adjustablesample.com and search.anysearchmanager.com.

Additionally, most adware infections and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity, and it is highly likely that ConnectedBoost does so as well. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this app, it is also considered to be a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads, typically on any visited website. Therefore, the ads do not originate from the site itself but are delivered by ConnectedBoost. These advertisements significantly diminish the browsing experience, since they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed.

When clicked, intrusive ads redirect to various 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 homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. Most fake search engines cannot generate unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.

With ConnectedBoost installed, the aforementioned actions cause a redirection chain starting with search.adjustablesample.com, then search.anysearchmanager.com, and ending with Safe Finder. The last site is unable to provide search results, and so it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com), a genuine search engine.

Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any user changes made and/or restrict/deny access to the browser settings. As mentioned most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities.

They can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive data is often shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of rogue software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. You are strongly advised to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ConnectedBoost
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Sophos AV (Adloadr (PUA)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), 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.

ProgressTrend, GlobalQuestSearch and DiscoverResults are some examples of other adware infections. These apps may seem legitimate and useful, and people are often enticed into download/installation with a wide variety of "useful" functionalities, however, the features promised are rarely operational.

This is typical of all PUAs. The sole purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and gather private data.

How did ConnectedBoost install on my computer?

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

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing dubious and/or bundled content into the system. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages, from which they can be downloaded.

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 advised to research all software prior to download/installation or purchase. All downloads should be performed only from official and verified sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and bundled content and, therefore, should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Pop-up window displayed once ConnectedBoost installation is complete:

ConnectedBoost adware causing a redirection chain as follows: search.adjustablesample.com, search.anysearchmanager.com, Safe Finder, Yahoo (GIF):

ConnectedBoost adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove ConnectedBoost adware using Combo Cleaner:

ConnectedBoost adware removal:

Remove ConnectedBoost-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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