How to remove HdTrack adware and the advertisements it displays?

What is HdTrack?

HdTrack is a rogue app classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker traits. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute software products within these classifications, they are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

HdTrack adware in detail

Adware displays various pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, and other intrusive advertisements on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The delivered ads diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpage content and slowing down the browsing speed.

Furthermore, the adverts pose a threat to device and user safety. Once clicked on, intrusive ads redirect to untrustworthy/malicious sites, and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs) stealthily.

Browser hijackers assign fake search engine addresses as browsers' default, as well as new tab/window and homepage URLs. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other genuine ones. What is more, browser hijackers typically use persistence-ensuring techniques - to stop users from recovering their browsers.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by HdTrack
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. ▼ 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

LatestExtended, KeyData, ConnectedPlatform, and SampleCheck are some examples of adware. This software appears innocuous and offers "handy" features, which are rarely operational. In fact, functionality and user safety are irrelevant for most PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted applications can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers, and collect private data.

How did HdTrack install on my computer?

PUAs are spread using the "bundling" marketing tactic - packing regular programs with various additions. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Some PUAs may also have "official" download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to always research software and download from official and verified sources. Dubious download channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) are advised against use, as they often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore available options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all additions. Intrusive ads appear legitimate, yet they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove HdTrack adware using Combo Cleaner:

HdTrack adware removal:

Remove HdTrack-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 browsing experience and system performance. This software typically has data tracking abilities, which also make it a threat to privacy. What is more, the content promoted via the ads displayed by adware - can be malicious and cause a variety of severe issues.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software or adware - is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software displays various advertisements on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by promoting various websites, applications, products, services, and similar. The developers of this software may get commission from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner remove HdTrack adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating adware-type apps. On the other hand, manual removal might not be ideal - since even after the adware is removed - various file leftovers may remain hiding in the system. Furthermore, such components can continue operating and causing issues.

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