How to remove Convuster adware from your operating system

What is Convuster?

Convuster is rogue software classified as adware. There are two variants of this application, one written in Swift and the other in the Rust programming language.

Adware operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., delivers various ads). Furthermore, most apps like Convuster have browser hijacker characteristics: promotion of fake search engines via browser settings modification.

This application also has data tracking capabilities. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate Convuster, it is categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Convuster has been observed being infiltrated into systems by other already installed untrusted software. The latter displays deceptive pop-up windows asking users to update/install the Adobe Flash Player. Whether users accept or decline the installation, Convuster is installed regardless.

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The delivers ads (e.g., pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) significantly diminish the browsing experience by limiting web page visibility and reducing browsing speed.

Furthermore, once clicked, intrusive advertisements can redirect to untrusted/malicious sites, and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

As mentioned, apps such as Convuster often operate as browser hijackers. This software reassigns the homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs to fake search engine addresses. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar redirect to the promoted address.

Fake search engines seldom can provide search results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate sites. Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browser settings and undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.

Convuster uses its data tracking capabilities to obtain the device's ID, and learn the system version and architecture. Typically, this software also targets the following information: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, geolocations, and personally identifiable details. The collected data can then be monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss, and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by Convuster
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (Swift variant installer)	Avast (MacOS:AdwareSig [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EJS), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EJS (B)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Convuster.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (Swift variant executable)	Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-FZ [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Bundlore.EJS), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Bundlore.EW), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Convuster.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (Rust variant executable)	Avast (MacOS:Agent-LU [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Agent.AI), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Trustast.A), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Convuster.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

AccessibilityDock, DominantCommand, SearchBrowserSky, and SimpleSignSearch are some examples of other adware-type applications. They may seem legitimate and tend to offer "useful" features, however, the promised functions can rarely work. This is typical of most PUAs - the sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers.

PUAs simply run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, and collect sensitive and private data.

How did Convuster install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule), and other third party downloaders commonly offer harmful and bundled content, and are therefore untrusted and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on.

Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious and malicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

Installed programs must be activated and updated with tools or implemented functions that are provided by the official developers. No other third party, unofficial tools should be used.

Note that it is illegal to activate licensed software with ‘cracking’ tools. Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct download links. Avoid third party installers and the tools/sources mentioned above.

Do not open website links or files in irrelevant emails that are received from unknown, suspicious addresses. These bogus emails are often disguised as official and important. Regularly, scan your computer with reputable, up-to-date antivirus or anti-spyware software.

If your computer is already infected with Convuster, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Deceptive installer (fake Flash Player updater) promoting Convuster adware;

First installation step:

Second installation step:

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Convuster adware removal:

Remove Convuster-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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