How to remove ConnectionFormat adware from your operating system

What is ConnectionFormat?

ConnectionFormat is an adware-type application that possesses browser hijacker characteristics. It runs intrusive advertisement campaigns, make modifications to browser settings and promotes fake search engines. On Safari browsers, ConnectionFormat promotes 0yrvtrh.com and search.adjustablesample.com on Google Chrome browsers.

Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate this app, it is also categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) monitor users' browsing activity and collect sensitive information extracted from it.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, surveys, full-page and other intrusive ads, typically, on any visited website. The ads overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. As well as being a nuisance, intrusive advertisements are a threat to device/user safety.

Once clicked, they can redirect to dubious/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers can assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches made via the URL bar redirect to the promoted address. ConnectionFormat promotes 0yrvtrh.com (on Safari) and search.adjustablesample.com (on Google Chrome) in this manner.

Rogue search engines are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine sites. Browser hijackers can also undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers, if they allow access to the settings in the first place.

As mentioned, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities. Information of interest includes URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, geolocations, and other personally identifiable details. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ConnectionFormat
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Sophos AV (AdLoad (PUA)), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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.

ExpandedSkill, AccessibleDataLookup and CoordinatorBoost are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and offer a broad range of "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features are seldom operational. This is true of most PUAs.

The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private information.

How did ConnectionFormat install on my computer?

PUAs are commonly distributed by integrating them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs, so that a proportion of users inadvertently download and install them together with their chosen software. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

Offers to download and install additionally-included apps usually appear in "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the set-ups (where they can usually be declined). Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default.

In addition, unwanted downloads and installations are sometimes caused by clicking deceptive advertisements capable of executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software products before download/installation. 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 can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

Download/Installation processes must be treated with cation. Read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and decline additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, gambling, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect your devices and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with ConnectionFormat, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

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

ConnectionFormat adware installed on the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove ConnectionFormat adware using Combo Cleaner:

ConnectionFormat adware removal:

Remove ConnectionFormat-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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