How to uninstall ActivityInput from your browser and operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ActivityInput?
In most cases, users download and install apps like ActivityInput inadvertently and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Typically, they are distributed by using deceptive methods. This particular app is distributed via a deceptive installer that is designed to appear like the installer for Adobe Flash Player.
ActivityInput is designed to serve advertisements and promote a fake search engine address by modifying certain browser settings. In this way, it functions as adware and a browser hijacker. It is likely that this app is also designed to collect browsing data and other details.
Some examples of ads served by ActivityInput and similar apps include banners, surveys, pop-up ads, and coupons. Commonly, these ads promote (open) dubious web pages. In some cases, they can download and install unwanted software by executing certain scripts.
ActivityInput also modifies browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Like most browser hijackers, it changes these to the address of a fake search engine. Users with ActivityInput installed are then forced to visit a specific address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.
Additionally, ActivityInput might collect data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, geolocations, other browsing-related, and even private/sensitive details. The data could be misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways, which can lead to problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and users might even become victims of identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ActivityInput |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names (ActivityInput.system) | Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), ComboCleaner (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACR), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), Full List (VirusTotal). |
| Detection Names (ActivityInput.service) | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), ComboCleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.23924), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), 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. |
ActivityInput is virtually identical to StandardBoost, SkilledObject and GuideRecord. Most serve ads and modify browser settings. Note that these apps do not include any useful features - their main purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.
How did ActivityInput install on my computer?
ActivityInput is distributed via a deceptive installer that is disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. These fake, unofficial installers are used to distribute malware as well. For example, ransomware, Trojan-type malware.
Users sometimes inadvertently download and install unwanted apps via deceptive advertisements - they click ads that cause unwanted download/installations by executing certain scripts.
Unwanted downloads and installations also occur during download/installation of other programs. I.e., when PUAs are included into the set-ups as 'extra offers'. This PUA distribution method of PUAs is called "bundling".
Typically, offers to download and install these additional apps can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, or by unticking certain checkboxes within the set-ups. When users download and install programs without making these checks and changes, they often allow PUAs to infiltrate.
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 ActivityInput, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed when ActivityInput adware is installed:
Text presented in this pop-up:
"ActivityInputd" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
Deceptive installer that is used to distribute ActivityInput (first installation step):
Deceptive installer that is used to distribute ActivityInput (second installation step):
Files related to ActivityInput adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ActivityInput.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ActivityInput.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ActivityInput.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ActivityInput.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like StandardBoost alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of questionable websites.
The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you must restore them manually.
Step 1: Click on the gear icon in the Dock to navigate to the system settings. If the icon is not present in the Dock, you can find it in the Launchpad.
Step 2: Navigate to the Network settings.
Step 3: Select the connected network and click "Advanced...".
Step 4: Click on the "Proxies" tab and untick all the protocols. You should also set the settings of each protocol to default - "*.local, 169.254/16".
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 ActivityInput?
- STEP 1. Remove ActivityInput related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ActivityInput ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ActivityInput adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ActivityInput ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ActivityInput adware using Combo Cleaner:
ActivityInput adware removal:
Remove ActivityInput-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.
Outstanding!
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