How to remove DiscoveryUnit adware

What is DiscoveryUnit?

DiscoveryUnit is an advertising-supported application that generates unwanted advertisements. This app also changes browser settings to promote a fake search engine address. Therefore, DiscoveryUnit functions not only as adware but also as a browser hijacker.

DiscoveryUnit is likely to gather information relating to browsing habits (and other) data.

Note that most users download and install DiscoveryUnit and similar apps unintentionally. For this reason, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Note that this particular app is distributed using a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

Most adware-type applications generate revenue for the developers by displaying pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, and other advertisements while users browse the web. These ads are deceptive and used to promote bogus websites (if clicked, they open dubious pages).

In some cases, the ads can distribute unwanted software - they cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts. Do not click ads generated by DiscoveryUnit.

Furthermore, this app modifies browser settings. It hijacks browsers by changing settings such the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the address of a fake search engine. Fake search engines often show results generated by Google, Yahoo, Bing or other legitimate search engines. I.e., most do not generate their own results. Some fake search engines generate misleading results, display ads, and redirect users to other dubious addresses/websites.

These apps can prevent users from undoing the changes made by them after installation. Therefore, users can only remove the fake search engine URLs from the browser settings when the PUA responsible is no longer installed.

DiscoveryUnit and other apps of this type might be capable of accessing sensitive information such as credit card details, login credentials (usernames, email addresses, passwords) or other personal, confidential details. This information can be misused to steal identities, personal accounts, make unauthorized transactions, purchases, etc.

It is unknown exactly what data DiscoveryUnit collects, but it might be details relating to browsing activities only. For example, geolocations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, and IP addresses.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DiscoveryUnit
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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 examples of similar adware are DominantCommand, EssentialType, and RecordMapper. These apps generate ads, promote specific addresses (fake search engines), and are downloaded and installed by users without their knowledge.

Typically, apps like DiscoveryUnit are useless to regular users and can cause serious issues such as identity theft, monetary loss, and other problems.

Therefore, remove DiscoveryUnit and other similar apps from browsers and operating systems immediately.

How did DiscoveryUnit install on my computer?

Research shows that the installer for the DiscoveryUnit app is disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. These fake, deceptive installers are promoted through untrusted websites and can be used to distribute malware (ransomware, Trojans).

People often download and install unwanted apps inadvertently via deceptive advertisements - they click ads that cause unwanted downloads/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

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 DiscoveryUnit, 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 DiscoveryUnit is installed:

"DiscoveryUnit" will damage your computer.
 
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
 
OK
 
Show in Finder

Deceptive installer promoting DiscoveryUnit adware (first step):

Deceptive installer promoting DiscoveryUnit adware (second step):

Files related to DiscoveryUnit adware that need to be removed:

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

IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases, malicious applications like DiscoveryUnit 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 DiscoveryUnit?
• STEP 1. Remove DiscoveryUnit related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove DiscoveryUnit ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove DiscoveryUnit adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove DiscoveryUnit ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove DiscoveryUnit adware using Combo Cleaner:

DiscoveryUnit adware removal:

Remove DiscoveryUnit-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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