How to get rid of the BoostSign adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is BoostSign adware?
The purpose of BoostSign is to generate advertisements and promote a fake search engines/hijack browsers (by changing their settings). It is uncommon for apps like BoostSign to be downloaded and installed by users on purpose. Thus, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
BoostSign adware in detail
BoostSign generates pop-ups, banners, coupons, or other ads. Those ads could open various scams asking to provide credit card details, addresses, bank account numbers or other details, download pages for PUAs, some malicious sites. Also, those ads could be capable of downloading or even installing PUAs by running certain scripts.
BoostSign hijacks a web browser by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page's URL to a fake search engine. Fake search engines can show results generated by other (legitimate or shady) search engines or generate their own results containing links to potentially malicious pages.
| Name | Ads by BoostSign |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), 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. |
BoostSign in general
BoostSign has the qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. It could be capable of accessing collecting) sensitive information. A couple examples of other apps similar to BoostSign are LatestExtended, KeyData, and FocusDeploy. Most of them are promoted/distributed using questionable methods.
How did BoostSign install on my computer?
Lots of potentially unwanted applications can be found in downloaders and installers) as optional downloads or installations. Users download and install PUAs when they leave "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", or similar settings available in those downloaders and installers unchanged.
Also, users download or install PUAs through shady advertisements and third-party, fake installers available for download on untrustworthy websites. If clicked, certain ads can run certain scripts and cause unexpected downloads or even installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Software (and files) should be downloaded from official, trustworthy websites via direct links. Third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, and other sources are not trustworthy. Programs should not be downloaded or installed unless all unwanted offers are deselected using the settings mentioned in the previous section.
Advertisements displayed on shady pages should not be clicked. If your computer is already infected with BoostSign, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after installation of the BoostSign adware:
BoostSign'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:
▼ 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 BoostSign?
- STEP 1. Remove BoostSign related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove BoostSign ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove BoostSign adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove BoostSign ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove BoostSign adware using Combo Cleaner:
BoostSign adware removal:
Remove BoostSign-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 slow down a computer, diminish web browsing experience, cause problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or other issues.
What does adware do?
Adware generates revenue for its developer by feeding users with various advertisements. Software of this type can have additional functionalities allowing it to change web browser's settings, collect browsing-related or even sensitive information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Usually, adware is monetized by promoting various products, services, web pages. Most of the profit is generated via various affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove BoostSign adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate BoostSign or other detected aware-type applications. It is recommended to use specialized software because it may not be enough to remove adware manually - some of its components may reside in the system even when it is deleted.
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