How to get rid of the AboutExtended adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is AboutExtended adware?
AboutExtended displays advertisements and changes web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine. It has the qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. Users download and install apps of this kind inadvertently. Therefore, AboutExtended and similar apps fall into the category of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
AboutExtended adware in detail
AboutExtended delivers banners, pop-ups, coupons, or other ads. Those ads could open download pages for PUAs, various scam pages used to trick visitors into providing personal information, purchasing questionable software or services, or other potentially malicious sites.
AboutExtended hijacks a web browser by changing the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL to a fake search engine (its address). Fake search engines can be used to promote untrustworthy websites. They can include links to shady pages in their results or show results generated by other unreliable search engines.
| Name | Ads by AboutExtended |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24105), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Agent.gen), 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. |
More information about AboutExtended
Also, AboutExtended could be designed to collect browsing data (like visited pages, IP addresses), or even sensitive information (like passwords, credit card details). Thus, this app should not be trusted and eliminated from affected systems and browsers as soon as possible. More adware examples are OptimizationLaunch, GeneralAnalog, and SampleCheck.
How did AboutExtended install on my computer?
Adware and other PUAs are distributed through fake installers, advertisements, downloaders, and installers for other programs. Fake installers are promoted on deceptive websites (for example, on pages suggesting that a computer is infected, some software needs to be updated).
Ads can cause unwanted downloads or installations when they are designed to run specific scripts and users click those ads. PUAs get downloaded or installed through downloaders or installers for other programs when users do not decline optional downloads, installations in "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", or similar settings.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloads from unreliable sources can be used to distribute potentially unwanted or malicious apps. Thus, files and apps should be downloaded from legitimate, official pages. Downloaders and installers with "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings should be checked for optional downloads or installations.
It is also recommended not to click on pop-ups, advertisements, notifications displayed by questionable websites. If your computer is already infected with AboutExtended, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after the installation:
AboutExtended's Contents 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is AboutExtended?
- STEP 1. Remove AboutExtended related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove AboutExtended ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove AboutExtended adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove AboutExtended ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove AboutExtended adware using Combo Cleaner:
AboutExtended adware removal:
Remove AboutExtended-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 can diminish the web browsing experience, slow down a computer. Depending on the qualities of a specific adware-type application, it could cause more/different problems.
What does adware do?
As a rule, adware has one main goal - to deliver various advertisements. Although, it can be designed to change the web browser's settings and (or) collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
In most cases, individuals behind adware generate revenue by promoting various products, services, websites, etc. It is popular among them to do that using various affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove AboutExtended adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate AboutExtended or other adware-type applications. It is worth mentioning that manual removal might not solve the issue since various file leftovers may remain hiding in the system. Therefore, it is advisable to eliminate unwanted software using specialized programs.
Outstanding!
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