How to uninstall PracticalRemote adware from the operating system

What is PracticalRemote?

PracticalRemote is a rogue application classified as adware and also possessing browser hijacker traits. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and making modifications to browser settings in order to promote fake search engines. PracticalRemote promotes 0yrvtrh.com in this manner. 

On Google Chrome browsers, however, it promotes search.dominantmethod.com. Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing habits, and PracticalRemote is no exception. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate this app, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and other intrusive advertisements. These overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Once clicked, intrusive ads redirect to dubious/malicious websites and 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. PracticalRemote also makes these alterations to browsers, and hence the aforementioned actions redirect to 0yrvtrh.com or search.dominantmethod.com (on Google Chrome).

Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo and other legitimate sites. Browser hijackers can reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the settings.

Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it. As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities.

They can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and gather sensitive 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), intent on likewise misusing the information for profit.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device and user safety, you are strongly advised to eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PracticalRemote
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (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.

SkillInitiator, Photo Viewer Free and ConnectedAnalog are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem harmless and useful, and users are often enticed into download/installation with offers of various functionality. Despite how good the advertised functions may sound, they usually do not work.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private information.

How did PracticalRemote install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". By rushing though download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

These applications can also be downloaded from "official" promotional sites. Intrusive ads proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the advertisements can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all software before download/installation and/or purchase. Use only official and trustworthy download channels. Dubious sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content.

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

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

Pop-up window displayed once PracticalRemote adware installation is complete:

PracticalRemote adware installation folder:

PracticalRemote adware installed onto the Safari browser:

Appearance of PracticalRemote promoting 0yrvtrh.com (GIF):

Google Chrome browser settings modified by PracticalRemote and set to search.dominantmethod.com as the default:

Appearance of PracticalRemote adware promoting search.dominantmethod.com (GIF):

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

Video showing how to remove PracticalRemote adware using Combo Cleaner:

PracticalRemote adware removal:

Remove PracticalRemote-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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