How to uninstall PromoteMethod adware

What is PromoteMethod adware?

PromoteMethod is dubious software categorized as adware and also possessing browser hijacker traits. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings and promoting fake search engines. PromoteMethod promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net in this manner.

Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers gather browsing-related information. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate PromoteMethod, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, full-page and other intrusive ads. These significantly affect the browsing experience, since they overlay web page content and limit browsing speed. When clicked, intrusive ads redirect to various dubious/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines. Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. PromoteMethod promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net in this manner.

Bogus search engines are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Google, Bing and other genuine sites. Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made.

As mentioned, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities. They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PromoteMethod
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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.

WebAdvancedSearch, ExtendedTask, and PlusAbout are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and harmless, and users are enticed into download/installation with offers of various "useful" features, however, the promised functionality is seldom operational. In fact, this applies to most PUAs.

The goal of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers. Regular users receive no real value and can instead experience serious problems. PUAs deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, modify browser settings, force-open untrusted/malicious sites and collect private data.

How did PromoteMethod install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other products. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

By rushing through download/install processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing dubious and bundled content into the system. Certain PUAs have "official" download pages. When clicked, intrusive ads 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. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to highly dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Pop-up window displayed once PromoteMethod installation is complete:

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

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

Video showing how to remove PromoteMethod adware using Combo Cleaner:

PromoteMethod adware removal:

Remove PromoteMethod-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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