How to remove ads delivered by SectionBrowser adware

What is SectionBrowser?

SectionBrowser is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, it operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings and promoting fake search engines. SectionBrowser promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net in this way.

Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities that are used to monitor users' browsing activity. It is highly likely that SectionBrowser has this functionality as well. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate SectionBrowser, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, full-page and other intrusive advertisements, typically, on any visited website. I.e., the ads do not originate from the websites but are delivered by adware. These ads overlay web page content and restrict browsing speed.

Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive advertisements often 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 bogus search engines.

SectionBrowser promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net by making these alterations to browsers. With this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address.

Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all.

Therefore, it is impossible to recover the hijacked browser without removing the software affecting it. Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect sensitive data extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The gathered data usually contains personally identifiable information. PUA developers often monetize this information by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

The presence of unwanted apps on devices can therefore lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SectionBrowser
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.

SearchWebPortal, ExtendedTool, AssistiveUnit and LeadingAdviseSearch are some examples of other adware-type applications. They may seem legitimate and typically offer various "useful" functionality, however, the features promised rarely work as advertised and, in most cases, do not work at all.

This is true of most PUAs. The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and track private information.

How did SectionBrowser install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content.

PUAs can also have "official" promotional web pages, from which they can be downloaded. Once clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all products before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, you are advised to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions, and so on. Intrusive advertisements may seem normal, however, they often redirect to highly suspect sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Pop-up window displayed once SectionBrowser installation is complete:

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

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

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

SectionBrowser adware removal:

Remove SectionBrowser-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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