How to remove ExecutiveOperation adware from your browser and computer

What is ExecutiveOperation?

The ExecutiveOperation application functions as adware, a browser hijacker, and as a data collector. It serves advertisements, promotes two fake search engines by changing browser settings, and gathers private, sensitive information.

Generally, users download and install ExecutiveOperation and similar apps inadvertently and, for this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). ExecutiveOperation is distributed via fake installer that is disguised as an installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Applications such as ExecutiveOperation usually serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other types of advertisements. Clicking these ads allows them to open dubious websites or execute certain scripts, which then cause download/installation of unwanted applications.

As mentioned, ExecutiveOperation functions as a browser hijacker: it promotes the z6airr.com address on Safari browsers and the search.basicgeneration.com address on Chrome browsers.

Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by assigning their addresses and the default search engine, homepage, and new tab - z6airr.com provides results generated by Yahoo (it redirects to search.yahoo.com) and, depending on users' geolocations, search.basicgeneration.com provides results generated by Google or Yahoo (it redirects users to google.com or seach.yahoo.com).

I.e., neither generate any unique results, and this is the main reason why they are classified as fake search engines. Note that z6airr.com and search.basicgeneration.com can be removed from browser settings only when ExecutiveOperation or other PUAs that promote them are no longer installed.

Furthermore, ExecutiveOperation can read sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and various other personal data. This information could be misused for malicious purposes. For example, to make fraudulent purchases and transactions, and to steal identities and accounts.

Therefore, users could become victims of identity theft, lose access to various accounts, suffer monetary loss, have problems relating to web browsing safety, online privacy, etc.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ExecutiveOperation
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), 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.

AccessibleSkill, LearningActivity and MarketService are more examples of apps that function in a similar manner to ExecutiveOperation. Typically, they generate revenue for developers by serving ads, collecting information, and promoting dubious websites.

They are useless to regular users can cause serious problems. Therefore, apps such as ExecutiveOperation should never be downloaded or installed.

How did ExecutiveOperation install on my computer?

ExecutiveOperation is distributed through a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player. These fake, third party installers are often used to distribute PUAs and malicious programs such as Trojans, ransomware-type programs, etc.

Unwanted downloads and installations often occur when developers distribute PUAs by integrating them into the download/installation setups of other programs as "extra offers". This distribution method is known as "bundling". The offers can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the setups (or by unticking certain checkboxes).

Many users fail to check and change these settings (or untick the checkboxes), thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate together with the desired software. PUAs are also downloaded and installed by clicking deceptive advertisements (usually on untrusted sites) that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software.

Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ExecutiveOperation, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ExecutiveOperation installation is complete:

Fake Adobe Flash Player installer used to distribute ExecutiveOperation:

Z6airr.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

search.basicgeneration.com redirects to google.com (GIF):

search.basicgeneration.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

ExecutiveOperation installed on Safari:

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

Video showing how to remove ExecutiveOperation adware using Combo Cleaner:

ExecutiveOperation adware removal:

Remove ExecutiveOperation-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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