How to remove ExploreDivision adware from operating systems

What is ExploreDivision?

ExploreDivision is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings and promoting fake search engines. ExploreDivision promotes z6airr.com on Safari browsers and search.adjustablesample.com on Google Chrome browsers.

Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate ExploreDivision, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements, typically on any visited website. These ads reduce browsing speed and overlay web page content. Once clicked, they can redirect to dubious/malicious sites and some can even stealthy download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address.

In the case of ExploreDivision, on Safari the aforementioned actions redirect to z6airr.com, and on Google Chrome to search.adjustablesample.com. Bogus search engines are usually unable to provide search results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine sites.

Browser hijackers can also reset any change users attempt to make to their browsers, if they even allow access to the settings at all. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it. Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities.

They monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive information is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ExploreDivision
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), SentinelOne (Static ML) (DFI - Suspicious Archive), 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.

FrequencyProgress, PromoteOptimization and LeadingServiceSearch are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features rarely work. In fact, this information is true of most PUAs.

The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. Regular users receive no real value and can instead experience serious problems. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and gather private data.

How did ExploreDivision install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing dubious and/or bundled content into the system. Some PUAs have "official" download pages. When clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, you are advised to 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 dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

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

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

Appearance of ExploreDivision adware promoting z6airr.com (GIF):

Appearance of ExploreDivision promoting search.adjustablesample.com (GIF):

ExploreDivision adware installed onto the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove ExploreDivision adware using Combo Cleaner:

ExploreDivision adware removal:

Remove ExploreDivision-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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