How to uninstall WebKey adware from the operating system?

What is WebKey?

WebKey is a rogue application classified as adware. Additionally, it has browser hijacker traits. This app operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and modifying browser settings to promote fake search engines. WebKey likely has data tracking abilities as well. Since most users inadvertently download/install adware and browser hijackers, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

WebKey adware in detail

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can deliver pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, and other intrusive ads. They severely diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpages and slowing down the browsing speed.

Furthermore, these advertisements pose a threat to device and user safety. Intrusive adverts endorse a wide variety of sale-oriented, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, compromised, and even malicious websites. Furthermore, some of these advertisements can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs) - when they are clicked on.

Browser hijackers assign fake web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, every single search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones. Even when fake web searchers can provide search results - they are inaccurate and may promote untrustworthy/malicious sites.

Browser hijackers can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, they can restrict or deny access to the browser settings. Therefore, restoring a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.

What is more, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking abilities. Targeted information includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WebKey
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.23558), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.F), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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. ▼ 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.

Adware in general

NetFunctionSearch, FlexibleOrigin, OnlineExplorer, and AnalyserKey are a few examples of apps within the adware classification. They appear legitimate and harmless. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of various "handy" features, which are seldom operational.

In fact, nearly all PUAs use fake functionalities as bait. The only goal of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advert campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, and collect private and vulnerable information.

How did WebKey install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other software. This false marketing tactic of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. Some PUAs may have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is important to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate; however, they redirect to various questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so on).

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with WebKey, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once WebKey adware's installation is over:

WebKey adware's installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove WebKey adware using Combo Cleaner:

WebKey adware removal:

Remove WebKey-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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