How to remove ExtendedTask adware

How to remove ExtendedTask adware from Mac computers

What is ExtendedTask adware?

ExtendedTask is rogue software classified as adware and possessing browser hijacker traits. This application operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings and promoting fake search engines. ExtendedTask promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net. It is highly likely that this app also monitors users' browsing activity, as this is a common feature of adware and browser hijackers. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate ExtendedTask, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers full-page pop-ups, banners, surveys and other intrusive ads. These significantly affect the browsing experience, as they overlay web pages and limit browsing speed. Once clicked, the advertisements redirect to various dubious and possibly malicious sites. Additionally, some intrusive ads can be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent. Browser hijackers assign the addresses of bogus search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, each new browser tab/window opened and search made via the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. ExtendedTask promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net in this manner. Fake web searchers are usually unable to generate unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate search engines. Furthermore, recovering an affected browser is impossible without removing the browser hijacker, since this rogue software can reset any changes users attempt to make, and/or deny access to the browser settings outright. As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is often monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device/user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ExtendedTask
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.

AdjustableValue, PlusAbout, FrequencySignal and ProductiveOperation are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and useful, and people are often lured into download/installation with offers of a variety of functionality, however, the advertised features are typically nonoperational. In fact, this is true of most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and gather private information.

How did ExtendedTask install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-sets, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Certain PUAs have "official" download sites. Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well - when clicked, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software prior to download/installation. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrusted download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer dubious and bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to highly dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.). If you encounter advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ExtendedTask, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ExtendedTask installation is complete:

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

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

Video showing how to remove ExtendedTask adware using Combo Cleaner:

ExtendedTask adware removal:

Remove ExtendedTask-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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