How to uninstall ApolloResults adware from the operating system

What is ApolloResults?

ApolloResults displays advertisements and changes certain browser settings to promote a fake search engine. There is a high probability that it might also collect details relating to browsing activities and other information. This app is classified as adware and a browser hijacker.

ApolloResults and similar apps are not often downloaded or installed by users intentionally and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Note that ApolloResults is distributed through a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Typically, apps such as ApolloResults serve advertisements within a web browser, other applications, or the user interface. Examples are pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and other advertisements. Ads generated by ApolloResults are used to promote dubious pages or even to distribute other unwanted apps. Note that they cannot open dubious websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations unless they are clicked.

ApolloResults hijacks browsers by changing settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the address of a fake search engine. In this way, it forces users to visit specific (unwanted) addresses. Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines, which show results generated by other search engines (Google, Yahoo) or generate results that often contain links to bogus sites and deceptive advertisements.

Generally, a hijacked browser can be stopped from opening unwanted addresses only after uninstalling it from the system.

Furthermore, adware-type apps/browser hijackers can collect user-system information, which is used for marketing purposes, sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or monetized in other ways. Typically, apps of this type target geolocations, Internet Protocol addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, geolocations, etc. Some PUAs read sensitive information (such as passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers) as well.

To avoid identity theft, problems with online privacy, browsing safety, and other issues, do not download or install ApolloResults.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ApolloResults
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.7), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AD), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), 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.

More adware examples are ApolloSearch, ExploreActivity, and VideoBoxApp. This advertising-supported software is often advertised as useful and legitimate, however, most adware-type apps (and browser hijackers) are useless to regular users and can cause serious issues.

If unwanted ads appear in the user interface and/or while browsing the web, it is likely that your computer or browser is already infected with adware. In such cases, the unwanted software should be uninstalled immediately.

How did ApolloResults install on my computer?

The ApolloResults app is distributed through a fake installer that is disguised to look as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. Fake installers should never be used, as they can contain malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type malware).

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

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 ApolloResults, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed when ApolloResults adware is installed:

Text presented in this pop-up:

"ApolloResultsd" will damage your computer.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

 

OK

Show in Finder

Deceptive installer used to distribute ApolloResults adware (first installation step):

Deceptive installer used to distribute ApolloResults adware (second installation step):

Files related to ApolloResults adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.ApolloResults.service.app
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ApolloResults.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.ApolloResults.system
• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ApolloResults.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".

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

Video showing how to remove ApolloResults adware using Combo Cleaner:

ApolloResults adware removal:

Remove ApolloResults-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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