How to uninstall ProductiveRotator adware from the operating system

What is ProductiveRotator?

ProductiveRotator is rogue software classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker characteristics. It operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns and by making changes to browser settings to promote fake search engines. ProductiveRotator promotes 6v5f3l.com on Safari browsers and search.locatorunit.com on Google Chrome browsers.

Additionally, adware-type apps and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Since most users download/install ProductiveRotator inadvertently, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

One of the dubious methods used to proliferate ProductiveRotator is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Bogus software updaters/installers proliferate PUAs, ransomware, Trojans and other malware.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements, typically on any visited website. The delivered ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and limit browsing speed.

Intrusive ads are more than just a nuisance, they are also dangerous. When clicked, they can redirect to sale-oriented/promotional, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites. Furthermore, some intrusive ads can be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install software (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent.

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

ProductiveRotator promotes bogus search engines in this manner as well. On Safari, it promotes 6v5f3l.com, and search.locatorunit.com on Google Chrome. Fake search engines are rarely able to generate unique results, and so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate sites.

Browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data.

They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProductiveRotator
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.h), 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.

ExpandedCommand, ProgressBuffer, AnalyzerSource and ChangeParameter are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features are seldom operational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect sensitive data.

How did ProductiveRotator install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well.

When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind. Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software.

Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ProductiveRotator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

ProductiveRotator adware distributed though fake Adobe Flash Player updater/installer:

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

Appearance of ProductiveRotator adware promoting 6v5f3l.com (GIF):

Appearance of ProductiveRotator adware promoting search.locatorunit.com (GIF):

ProductiveRotator adware installed on the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove ProductiveRotator adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProductiveRotator adware removal:

Remove ProductiveRotator-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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