How to remove the DominantCommand application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is DominantCommand?
DominantCommand generates ads and promotes a fake search engine by modifying browser settings. Therefore, this app is classified as adware and a browser hijacker. Note that apps like DominantCommand are capable of accessing sensitive information.
Both adware-type apps and browser hijackers are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) because users rarely download or install them intentionally.
DominantCommand adware overview
Adware is a type of software that generates revenue for developer by displaying banners, pop-ups, surveys, coupons or other advertisements. Commonly, these ads are used to advertise dubious websites and bogus software, however, they can only open the rogue pages (or cause unwanted downloads and installations) when clicked. Note that rogue ads can be designed to cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts.
Browser hijackers change the settings of hijacked browsers to promote fake search engines. Usually, they change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. I.e., they ensure that the hijacked browser opens a specific address when users enter search queries into the URL bar or open new windows or tabs.
Changes made by browser hijackers can be reversed only when the browser hijacker is no longer installed. Therefore, to remove the address of the fake search engine (promoted by DominantCommand), it is necessary to uninstall this app first.
DominantCommand and similar apps can also gather various data. They often target IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses if visited (opened) websites, geolocations, and other browsing-related information. Some adware-type apps can read personal information. For example, passwords and credit card details. Depending on the gathered data, individuals behind apps such as DominantCommand can misuse it for marketing purposes, sell it to third parties (potentially cyber criminals), use it to access and hijack personal accounts, steal identities, make fraudulent purchases, transactions, etc.
Therefore, you are strongly advised to remove DominantCommand and similar apps from browsers and operating systems.
| Name | Ads by DominantCommand |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (.service) | Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (.system) | Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.21025), 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. |
Similar software examples
Most adware-type apps and browser hijackers are downloaded and installed by users unintentionally - these apps are useless to regular users, even if the developers advertise them as legitimate and useful apps. I.e., apps such as DominantCommand generate revenue for the developers and can cause serious issues.
More examples of apps similar to DominantCommand are EssentialType, RecordMapper, and ConfigType.
How did DominantCommand install on my computer?
In some cases, users download or install applications like DominantCommand through deceptive advertisements: by clicking ads that are designed to execute 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
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 DominantCommand, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Text in the pop-up window that may appear while DominantCommand is installed:
"DominantCommandd" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
DominantCommand detected as malicious on VirusTotal:
Delusive application installer promoting DominantCommand adware:
Delusive application installer promoting DominantCommand adware (second installation step):
Files related to DominantCommand adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.DominantCommand.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.DominantCommand.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.DominantCommand.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.DominantCommand.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases, malicious applications like DominantCommand 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 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 DominantCommand?
- STEP 1. Remove DominantCommand related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove DominantCommand ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove DominantCommand adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove DominantCommand ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove DominantCommand adware using Combo Cleaner:
DominantCommand adware removal:
Remove DominantCommand-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware-delivered advertisements endorse content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). The software can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Additionally, adware is considered to be a threat to user privacy, as it usually collects vulnerable information.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by displaying ads on different interfaces (e.g., visited websites, desktops, etc.). Some adware types are also capable of generating redirects and collecting private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers profit through content promotion (e.g., websites, applications, extensions, products, etc.). Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove DominantCommand adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed adware-type apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed with the aid of security programs) might be ineffective. In some instances, after the adware has been manually removed – file leftovers stay hidden within the system. These components might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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