How to remove ExploreActivity adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ExploreActivity?
ExploreActivity is classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) because of the method employed for distribution: via a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player. Note that users do not often download/install ExploreActivity or similar apps intentionally.
The main purpose of ExploreActivity is to generate ads and promote a fake search engine. In this way, it functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Moreover, it is likely that this app is designed to collect information about its users.
ExploreActivity is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements such as pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, and others. Commonly, these ads are used to promote dubious web pages (e.g., download pages for various PUAs). Sometimes they are used to distribute unwanted software. If clicked, they download and install PUAs.
Furthermore, this potentially unwanted app changes browser settings to promote a fake search engine. Usually, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by modifying settings such as the address of the homepage, new tab, and default search engine. The main purpose of browser hijackers is to force users to visit specific addresses when they open hijacked browsers, new tabs, or enter search queries into URL bars.
Apps of this type force people to use search engines that do not generate unique results - they display those generated by Yahoo, Google, or other search engines. They can also generate misleading results and shows ads. In any case, fake search engines cannot be trusted. Typically, to remove unwanted addresses from the browser settings, it is necessary to remove the browser hijacker first.
ExploreActivity collects information, targeting Internet Protocol addresses, URLs of visited web pages, entered search queries, geolocations, and other browsing data. Some adware/browser hijackers are capable of accessing private, sensitive information including, for example, credit card details, passwords saved on the browser, and other personal data. The information could be misused for marketing purposes or monetized in other ways. For example, it could be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals).
In any case, adware-type apps and browser hijackers are untrusted. Therefore, ExploreActivity and other PUAs should never be installed on browsers or computers.
| Name | Ads by ExploreActivity |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.20044), 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. |
There are many apps similar to ExploreActivity online. Some examples are OriginalModule, UpdaterSync, and ProcessBrand. Typically, they are useless to regular users. They generate revenue for the developers by displaying ads, forcing users to visit specific addresses, and gathering various data.
These rogue apps can reduce computer performance, make other apps crash, reduce internet connection speeds, and cause other problems. Remove ExploreActivity from browsers and operating systems immediately.
How did ExploreActivity install on my computer?
The ExploreActivity app is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Fake installers are used to distribute malware including, for example, ransomware, Trojans, and other types.
Browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and other types of 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
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.
Regularly scan your computer with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software and keep this software up to date.
If your computer is already infected with ExploreActivity, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed when ExploreActivity adware is installed:
Text presented in this pop-up:
"ExploreActivityd" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
Fake Adobe Flash Player installer used to distribute ExploreActivity (first installation step):
Fake Adobe Flash Player installer used to distribute ExploreActivity (second installation step):
Files related to ExploreActivity adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ExploreActivity.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ExploreActivity.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ExploreActivity.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ExploreActivity.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases, malicious applications like OriginalModule alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of dubious 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 assign the settings of each protocol to the 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 ExploreActivity?
- STEP 1. Remove ExploreActivity related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ExploreActivity ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ExploreActivity adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ExploreActivity ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ExploreActivity adware using Combo Cleaner:
ExploreActivity adware removal:
Remove ExploreActivity-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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