How to uninstall ExtendedTool adware

What is ExtendedTool?

ExtendedTool is rogue software classified as adware with browser hijacker traits. This application operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns, making alterations to browser settings and promoting fake search engines. ExtendedTool promotes akamaihd.net via Safe Finder in this manner.

This type of software generally has data tracking capabilities, and this is likely to be the case with ExtendedTool. Additionally, due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this app, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive ads, typically on any visited website. The presence of adware-type software on browsers/systems significantly diminishes browsing experience. These ads redirect to various dubious/malicious sites and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs).

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

Fake search engines are usually unable to generate unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate sites. Furthermore, any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all.

Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it. As mentioned, most adware and browser hijackers can track data. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The collected data is typically shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to likewise misuse it for profit. 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 integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ExtendedTool
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.

DivisionFormat, AssistiveRecord, and AssistiveUnit are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and harmless, and users are enticed into download/installation with offers of "useful" features, however, the advertised functionality are rarely operational.

This applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Regular users receive no real value and can instead experience serious issues. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.

How did ExtendedTool install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users risk inadvertently allowing 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' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. Only download from official and verified sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content - these sources are untrusted.

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

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

Pop-up window displayed once ExtendedTool installation is complete:

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

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

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

ExtendedTool adware removal:

Remove ExtendedTool-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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