How to remove the BoostConsole adware from the system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is BoostConsole?
BoostConsole is designed to generate unwanted advertisements and change browser settings to promote a fake search engine. It operates as advertising-supported software and a browser hijacker.
It is likely that BoostConsole functions as a data collector as well. As a rule, users download and install programs of this type unintentionally.
Therefore, they are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Typically, PUAs are distributed using some deceptive technique.
It is known that BoostConsole is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.
Applications like BoostConsole generate revenue for their developers by automatically generating advertisements, for example, coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up advertisements. Ads generated by apps like BoostConsole are often used to advertise questionable websites (for example, scams like "Chance To Win The Brand New Playstation 5").
What is worse, their ads may be used to distribute PUAs: if clicked, they may run certain scripts designed to download or even install unwanted software. Therefore, it is recommended not to trust any ads that adware-type apps like BoostConsole generate.
Another reason not to download and install BoostConsole is that this app is designed to hijack browsers by changing their settings. More precisely, they change the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab to a fake search engine's address.
It is common that fake search engines show results generated by a legitimate search engine, for instance, Google or Yahoo. However, they can be designed to promote questionable, potentially malicious websites (generate misleading results).
In one way or another, it is not safe to use fake search engines. It is noteworthy that their results can include unwanted advertisements. Additionally, apps like BoostConsole often are designed to collect Internet Protocol addresses, visited addresses, entered search queries, geolocations, and other details related to user's Internet browsing activities.
However, there are many apps like BoostConsole that can access personal information like credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers, and other data of this kind. Potentially unwanted applications that can access sensitive information should be uninstalled as soon as possible - gathered information may be misused for malicious purposes.
It could be used to steal personal accounts, commit identity fraud, make unauthorized purchases, transactions, and so on. Therefore, users who have apps like BoostConsole installed on a browser or the operating system may suffer monetary loss, lose access to personal accounts, become victims of identity theft, or encounter other issues.
| Name | Ads by BoostConsole |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (BoostConsole.system) | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Fortinet (OSX/Adload.AE!tr.dldr), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (BoostConsole.service) | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Fortinet (OSX/Adload.AE!tr.dldr), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
BoostConsole is similar to EssentialDesktop, ConfigProgress, TypicalProcess and many other adware-type applications that are designed not only to generate advertisements but also to change browser settings to promote a specific address (usually, a fake search engine).
It is noteworthy that apps like BoostConsole are advertised as useful and (or) disguised as legitimate applications (e.g., Adobe Flash Player). In one way or another, it is strongly advisable not to have any adware or a browser hijacker installed on a browser or the operating system and remove already installed PUAs as soon as possible.
How did BoostConsole install on my computer?
As mentioned in the first paragraph, to trick users into installing the BoostConsole unwanted app, its developers use a fake installer that is disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. There are many PUAs that are distributed using this method.
It is important to mention that fake installers can be malicious - they can be designed to install ransomware, trojans or other malware. Furthermore, it is popular to distribute PUAs by bundling them with other programs (by including them in downloaders, installers for other programs).
As a rule, users can find information about additional downloads, installations and decline unwanted offers via "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", etc., or by unticking ticked checkboxes. Users who download or install programs that are bundled with PUAs without changing those settings download or install those PUAs as well.
In some cases, PUAs are distributed via deceptive ads. More precisely, by designing those ads to run certain scripts. Users cause unwanted downloads, installations by clicking on them.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloaders and installers that have checkboxes or settings like "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" often are used to distribute PUAs. Therefore, it is recommended to check those settings and see if they can be used to decline unwanted offers before finishing downloads and installations.
Files and applications should be downloaded from official pages and via direct download links. It is common that other sources are used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious apps.
A couple of examples of unreliable sources for downloading programs or files are Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial sites, free file hosting sites, third-party downloaders. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, third-party installers can be used to distribute unwanted software as well.
One more way to avoid unwanted downloads or installations is not to click on ads that questionable websites have on them. It is common that those ads are used to promote untrustworthy websites or distribute (download or install) unwanted apps.
Unwanted, suspicious plug-ins, add-ons, or extensions installed on a browser should be removed. Programs of this kind that installed on the operating system should be uninstalled as well.
If your computer is already infected with BoostConsole, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed when BoostConsole adware is present on the system:
Text in this pop-up:
"BoostConsoled" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
Delusive application installer promoting BoostConsole adware (first installation step):
Delusive application installer promoting BoostConsole adware (second installation step):
Files related to the BoostConsole adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.BoostConsole.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.BoostConsole.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.BoostConsole.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.BoostConsole.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like BoostConsole alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of questionable websites.
The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you'll have to 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 set the settings of each protocol to 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 BoostConsole?
- STEP 1. Remove BoostConsole related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove BoostConsole ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove BoostConsole adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove BoostConsole ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove BoostConsole adware using Combo Cleaner:
BoostConsole adware removal:
Remove BoostConsole-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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